In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at what Baker Mayfield is doing right lately for the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens and Rams weren’t happy with each other after their Monday night game. And Casey DeSmith sparkles in the AHL.
Keep an eye on it
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield got a lot of credit for minimizing the Steelers noted pass rush with his feet two weeks ago. He was sacked just once en route to a 21-7 Browns victory.
On Sunday, it was his play-action technique that helped get a 41-24 win for Cleveland over the Miami Dolphins.
Check out these numbers tracked by Pro Football Focus.
Play-action worked to the #Browns advantage vs. #FinsUp
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) November 26, 2019
Baker Mayfield went 14-of-18 for 232 yds, two TDs and a near-perfect 155.8 passer rating on play action passes pic.twitter.com/2aJ1eVtqxK
Of course, an offense needs a representative running game to make play action effective. Nick Chubb had 106 yards rushing Sunday. He had 92 against the Steelers two weeks ago.
Cleveland comes to Heinz Field for a rematch this Sunday afternoon.
Ruffled Raven
The big story coming out of the Baltimore Ravens’ 45-6 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night was how good Lamar Jackson looked.
He threw five touchdown passes in his “Monday Night Football” debut.
We’ve got a Jackson 5! #RavensFlock
— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2019
Lamar Jackson has FIVE touchdown passes on #MNF. @Lj_era8 @Willie_Snead4G
: #BALvsLAR on ESPN
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/dT6vJde0rP pic.twitter.com/dJc8ZefxCs
But at the end of the game, things got testy. Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters and Rams corner Jalen Ramsey got into it.
Why on earth did ESPN cut away from Marcus Peters and Jalen Ramsey getting into it? pic.twitter.com/F7T0SEUaHM
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) November 26, 2019
Los Angeles traded Peters to Baltimore this season and replaced him with Ramsey. He was acquired from Jacksonville.
Peters led the team in tackles with eight. He also had an interception. He has three picks and two touchdowns since joining Baltimore.
Ramsey doesn’t have an interception this season. And something makes me think that’s what Peters wanted to discuss.
Davie done
Bob Davie is done as New Mexico’s head football coach, the school announced Monday. He won’t be back in 2020.
The Moon Area High School alum had been with the Lobos for eight years. He was 35-63 during his time there. They were particularly bad this season (2-9, 0-7 Mountain West).
The former Notre Dame coach and ESPN analyst will coach the season finale against Utah State Saturday.
Bad Bortuzzo
Former Penguin Robert Bortuzzo is facing a four-game suspension.
The Blues defenseman has been shelved for this cross-checking incident against Viktor Arvidsson of the Nashville Predators.
Robert Bortuzzo will have a hearing today for Cross-checking Viktor Arvidsson, twice. pic.twitter.com/kibBOYsQaI
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) November 24, 2019
That seems mild given that Arvidsson is going to miss 4-6 weeks.
The Predators won the rematch of that home-and-home in a 3-2 shootout Monday night. Bortuzzo’s final game of his suspension will be the game against the Penguins in St. Louis on Saturday.
Casey can!
Tristan Jarry has been solid in net for the Penguins the last two games.
He stopped 36 of 37 shots, beating the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Friday. Then, on Monday, he stopped 32 of 34 pucks Monday in a win against the Flames.
But Matt Murray’s other back-up was shining as well in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this weekend. The WBS Penguins tweeted this highlight of a spectacular save by Casey DeSmith Friday in a 4-2 win against Springfield.
Another 'Save of the Year' candidate from Casey DeSmith. pic.twitter.com/LA82Q1LqCC
— WBS Penguins (@WBSPenguins) November 25, 2019
DeSmith is 8-4 with a save percentage of 92% and a goals against average of 2.48.
