Cleveland Browns’ Scoring Trends Since Drafting Baker Mayfield

Week 8 is here, and many fans are looking at the live betting odds for an AFC North rivalry game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Both teams are fighting hard to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Browns are currently 4-3 and sitting in third place in the AFC North. The Steelers are right behind them with a 3-3 record and last place in the division.

Can the Browns outscore the traditionally tough Steelers’ defense? Read on to learn about Cleveland Browns’ scoring trends. Specifically, explore whether quarterback Baker Mayfield gives them a shot at having a big day at home.

Browns’ Scoring Potential Under Baker Mayfield

In the 2018 NFL draft, the Browns selected Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick. Mayfield’s selection was meant to turn things around for a franchise that had traditionally struggled to make the playoffs.

In 2020, Mayfield did just that. He led the Browns to their first 11-win season since 1994. It was the first time that the Browns made the playoffs since 2002.

Mayfield has lived up to the hype in his first four seasons. He’s passed for more than 3500 yards each season.

Last year was his best season yet. He set a career-high for passer rating and career-low in turnovers, throwing for 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. His four fumbles meant that Mayfield only turned the ball over 12 times in 16 games.

That said, the Browns are not known as an offensive powerhouse. Mayfield has yet to throw for 4000 passing yards in a season. Also, he has not surpassed 30 passing touchdowns.

Browns’ Scoring Trends

The great Steelers teams of the past were always built on a stifling defense. To win this game, the Browns need to put up points.

Since Baker Mayfield was drafted in 2018, the Browns have not put up a lot of points. In 2020, the Browns scored 408 points over 16 games, equating to less than 26 points per game.

In the prior two seasons before that, the Browns scored 335 and 359. This output calculates out to 21 to 23 points per game.

They have not bucked this pattern nearly halfway through 2021. Through seven games, the Browns have scored 173 points. This is good for less than 25 points per game and slightly behind last year’s pace.

In Week 8, the Browns are colliding with a Steelers’ defense that is playing well. They have yet to allow an opposing team to score more than 28 points. The Steelers’ defense is currently allowing 22 points per game.

Cleveland Browns’ Scoring Prospects in Week 8

The Steelers vs. Browns matchup is likely to be a tight ball game dictated by the defense. Mayfield and the Browns are traditionally not an explosive offense. Meanwhile, the Steelers still play tough defense after all these years.

Add in the division rivalry factor, and this game is likely to see a close finish. So if you like the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, consider selecting them in our King of the Weekend promo.