Browns coach Kevin Stefanski defended quarterback Baker Mayfield's inability to hit open receivers in the end zone on passes early in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles that would have given the team an early lead on Sunday.
Much has been made of running back Kareem Hunt coming up short on a fourth-and-1 with 1:09 left in the first quarter. That point would have been moot had Mayfield connected on one of two passes.
The first came on a second-and-8 from the Philadelphia 14-yard line with 2:39 left in the quarter. Mayfield missed tight end Harrison Bryant, who was wide open on the left side of the end zone. Fortunately for the Browns (7-3), a pass-interference penalty on the Eagles defender placed the ball at the one.
Hunt lost a yard on first-and-goal. On second-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Mayfield dropped back once again and overthrew tight end Austin Hooper near the back of the end zone. Two more Hunt rushes came up short. It proved to be a waste of a 95-yard drive set up by a forced fumble by Browns defensive end Cameron Malveaux.
Stefanski said the weather, consistent rainfall, was a factor in the errant throws.
"How much of a factor? Hard to say. I know Baker can make those throws. I've seen him make those throws, so I know weather played into it," he said.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambles during the second half of Sunday's game In Cleveland.
Mayfield agreed, but he also said there were no excuses.
"There are definitely a few plays that I would love to have back (Sunday) – there is no doubt about that – but we have consistently, for the most part, taken care of the ball in these bad weather games," he said. "That is the key to winning those. We have done a good job of that."
Stefanski gave Mayfield credit for delivering to his receivers during other moments against the Eagles.
"By the same token, he made a great throw to Rashard (Higgins) on that deep ball, made a great throw to KhaDarel (Hodge) on that deep ball," Stefanski said. "It was a factor, but he was hard on himself and he wants to make those throws. He wants to get his guys the ball, I know that."
