Top Pick Baker Mayfield Comes Off Bench, Leads Browns to Victory

So, has the Cleveland Browns' much criticized first overall draft pick become the franchise savior Sooner than expected?

Seems like Baker Mayfield was their second attempt at a Manziel-type scrambling slinger, possibly substituting manic-depressive for ADHD.

Whatever the reason, dude got a shot at proving his worth and -- for now -- did it.

Mayfield came off the bench to spark the Browns to a 21-17 comeback victory over New York's Jets, driving their fandom into a state of ecstasy.

 

Or maybe that was a state with ecstasy.

The air was thick with anticipation prior to the game. Bovada had declared Cleveland a 3-point favorite. This was clearly a nod to home-field advantage, possibly reinforced by the hint that the Browns' defense might actually be for real.

The line was also made with the knowledge that veteran QB placeholder Tyrod Taylor would be at the helm.

 

That was good for all of zero points.

But then, two fateful things happened:

• Taylor got conged into a concussion, and
• A Browns fan found an opossum on the premesis.

 

Not just any possum, either.

 

To top it off, Mayfield took up the gauntlet and proved he wasn't just any manic depressive top overall selection.

The quality was evident early on:

 

Dude was hot and leading his crew to scores. Any scores.

 

That includes two-point conversions to climb back into a tie.

Mayfield showed he was a full-service football dude by being on the receiving end of it:

 

Oklahoma fans have seen the former Sooner do this before:

 

Meanwhile, Week 1's rookie slinging sensation had one of those days that all QBs under The Shield eventually have.

 

With the victory raising Cleveland's record to a respectable -- for soccer -- 1-1-1, there was one other item of unfinished business to address:

 

Not to mention new business to fluorish:

 

And bygones to be bygones:

 

Next up for the involved fan is the Browns' over/under win total.

Bovada pegged it at 5½.

It's still looking like a ballsy bet, but Mayfield also looks up to the challenge.