Baker Mayfield's scrambling presents another challenge for Steelers in playoff rematch with Browns

Needing 2 yards for a first down that would clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth in 18 years, the Cleveland Browns didn’t just put the outcome in quarterback Baker Mayfield’s hands.

They put it in his feet, too.

A designed keeper around the right edge gained 3 yards and enabled the Browns to run out the clock Sunday afternoon for a 24-22 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers that ended Cleveland’s long playoff drought.

And, of course, it earned the Browns another meeting against the Steelers, one that will take place Sunday night at Heinz Field in the AFC wild-card round.

The Browns have Pro Bowl running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but when it came time to seal arguably the franchise’s biggest win in two decades, first-year coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t hesitate to have Mayfield decide the outcome with his legs.

“We felt like that was the right call for the right moment,” Stefanski said Monday, “because it worked.”

The Browns drafted Mayfield first overall in 2018 based on what he could do with his right arm, but the 25-year-old quarterback showed his versatility against the Steelers with his knack of making plays when carrying the football — on designed runs or otherwise.

Mayfield scrambled five times and took a knee on the final snap of the game, giving him a season-high 44 rushing yards on six carries.

“We know he’s a mobile quarterback,” nose tackle Tyson Alualu said. “It’s always about not letting him make those big plays with his feet. We have to have him contained as a D-line, and we have to keep him in the pocket and make him make those throws and try to affect him that way.

“You always expect some of those where he tries to escape and extend plays, whether it’s a run or run/pass (option). We just have to be there and not let that happen this week.”

Although the Steelers might have been prepared for Mayfield to run, it wasn’t based on any first-hand knowledge. It was the first time in six career matchups against the Steelers that Mayfield called his own number more than once in a game.

“He wants the rock in his hand,” Stefanski said. “That’s the type of person he is in these moments. We really like that concept and thought it had a chance. He knew that he was going to have to have ball security, and he did.”

A week earlier, when the Browns were stunned by the one-win New York Jets, Mayfield fumbled three times, twice on sacks. He lost two of the fumbles. On the one the Browns recovered, it came on a fourth-and-1 try at the end of the game that came up short.

Mayfield was excited for another chance in that crucial moment against the Steelers.

“However we have to do it, I’ll be happy about it,” he said. “I heard the play call when I was on the sideline … I thought he was joking at first because I did not hear it well. We called it, and I said, ‘Let’s go do it.’ Obviously, whatever it takes.”

As the Browns exited halftime with a 10-6 lead, Mayfield hadn’t attempted a single run. His first try came up a yard short on third down. On the next drive, he broke off a 28-yard gain on first down to the Steelers 16, and it led to his 2-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper that gave the Browns a 17-9 lead.

When the Browns were trying to work the clock in the fourth quarter after the Steelers pulled within 24-16, Mayfield ran for a pair of first downs to extend the drive.

“He had four runs that actually moved the chains,” Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry said. “That is what we need. We need every guy that we can making plays when they have opportunities. That is part of the greatness that he has in him.”

When the Steelers kept Mayfield contained, he produced modest numbers: 17 completions in 27 attempts for 196 yards and four sacks.

“There were definitely times where he got out of the pocket,” rookie outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said. “We are going to look at it this week, study our film and find ways to keep him the pocket the whole game. That is what matters most. We are going to construct a good game plan to do that.”

The Steelers will have defensive captain Cameron Heyward and outside linebacker T.J. Watt back on the field for the playoff opener. They were among eight Steelers veteran players who didn’t make the trip to Cleveland or were on the reserve/covid-19 list.

“When you lose, the only thing you can do is learn from those lessons.” Alualu said. “The guys we had out there did a great job. We’ll watch the film, learn from it and we’re excited for another opportunity to get it back from them.”