On paper, the Cleveland Browns once again have the best roster in the NFL and are once again underachieving as they sit at 3-3 looking up at the Baltimore Ravens who have no idea how to lose games. And to make things worse, Baker Mayfield’s shoulder is destroyed and he will be replaced with Case Keenum Thursday night against his old Denver squad.
BREAKING: QB Case Keenum to start in place of Baker Mayfield on Thursday night against Denver. Mayfield (torn labrum in his left shoulder) will miss the first start of his NFL career due to injury. #Browns
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 20, 2021
Yike.
But fret not Browns fans. If you watched Baker miss wide open receivers all year then you will be pleasantly surprised when Case Keenum plays better than Baker has thus far.
Their side-by-side passing numbers are quite similar. Both have around the same career passer rating. Both have completed 62% of their career passes. The only real difference is how frequently Baker turns the ball over.
Never a great look when your starter and former no. 1 overall draft pick has passing numbers that mirror his backup.
Let’s also remember the success Case Keenum had in Minnesota when Browns head coach, Kevin Stefanski, was the QB coach for the Vikings. Who among us can forget the Minneapolis Miracle??
Case Keenum and Kevin Stefanski have had some success in the past.
How will Browns (-3) do on TNF? pic.twitter.com/MC6dfDiFZu
— PFF Bet (@PFF_Bet) October 20, 2021
In that 2017 season, Keenum went 11-3 as a starter with 22 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions in 14 starts.
The Browns may not actually win this game against the Denver Broncos knowing that their two star running backs—Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt—are out with injuries. But at least the Browns know they have a quarterback who is finally capable of hitting Odell Beckham who has been open so often and just can’t get a catchable ball in his direction.
Regardless, Thursday night football is going to be unwatchable.
