Browns center JC Tretter snapped the ball to Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield bent his legs and gently tossed the ball no more than two yards — right into the arms of Patriots defensive tackle Lawrence Guy. The first-quarter blunder marked Cleveland’s third straight drive that ended in a turnover, following back-to-back fumbles by running back Nick Chubb.
“There were two fumbles and one interception, and they happened: fumble, fumble, interception,” Mayfield said bluntly when asked after the game about the horrific sequence.
Mayfield highlighted New England’s “sound defense” and ability to capitalize on mistakes, excusing Chubb of the blame.