No. 2: Get the Run Game Going to Help with Play Action

One-and-a-half games isn’t enough of a sample size to totally determine this, but early signs have shown a common theme for young quarterbacks — they are far more effective off play action.

Over those one-plus games, Baker Mayfield’s passer rating on play-action passes is an excellent 132.8, according to Pro Football Focus. On standard drop backs, that number falls to 63.4. Yeah, a massive difference.

It’s easy to understand why. Young quarterbacks can struggle recognizing the open or soon-to-be-open receiver if the coverage is close. Effective play-action play calling can throw off cover guys just a bit, and even the slightest of an extra step can work wonders for a fresh-faced signal-caller.

But play action needs an effective running game to work. If opposing defenses aren’t respecting the run, they won’t bite on play fakes. Now the Ravens are allowing a respectable 3.9 rush yards per attempt through four weeks, so it’s not as if this is a weakness. But Baltimore linebacker Patrick Onwuasor has been horrid against the run this season. He’s primarily featured on passing downs, meaning it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Hue Jackson to call for run plays out of 11 personnel (three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back), which would put Onwuasor on the field.

The Browns are averaging 4.7 yards per rush, which is sixth best in the NFL right now. And they have the second most rushing yards (611), so it’s not like this is a bad approach to get Mayfield in favorable pass situations after the Ravens are forced to respect the ground game.