Gregg Williams comes off a win saying Baker Mayfield is developing a trait the top QBs possess. A veteran Panthers CB was on the field dealing with exactly what Cleveland's coach was talking about.

Gregg Williams was tying the talent that made Baker Mayfield a No. 1 pick to its influence on the Browns' latest win.

"The really good quarterbacks throw their receivers open in tight coverage," Williams said Monday after a 26-20 win. "The defender is there, but ... the best ones throw their guys open. I think you're seeing some of that with Baker right now."

Captain Munnerlyn, an experienced Carolina cornerback, saw what Cleveland's interim head coach was talking about.

"We tried to stop the big plays," said Munnerlyn, 30. "We didn't do that. We knew Baker has a very strong arm and we knew he can throw guys open."

Munnerlyn said Mayfield's impact went beyond hitting early deep throws to Breshad Perriman and Jarvis Landry.

"We tried to make him make quick decisions, but they came out and made plays," Munnerlyn said. "We tried to make him step up in the pocket. He's not a very tall guy, so we tried to make him step up into pressure. He did a great job moving around and throwing on the run.

"I knew he could do that. He made some throws earlier in the season where I was like, wow. We knew he was a very special talent. He can make every throw on the football field."

The Browns won for the third time in their last four outings. Mayfield's passer ratings in the wins were 151.2, 143.9 and 126.9. One perspective on that: Drew Brees' rating for the season is 120.8.

Mayfield's season rating is 93.4. DeShone Kizer's rating across 15 starts last year was 60.5.

During the week, Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said Mayfield's maverick swagger reminds him of his iconic former Chicago Bears teammate, Jim McMahon.

"I hope (Mayfield) appreciates that," Rivera said. "He has a lot of flair. He's dynamic.

"I think this is the team of the future because of the way they have drafted the last couple of years. I like what they do on defense ... very aggressive. Gregg Williams does a tremendous job of attacking people.

"(Offensive Coordinator Freddie) Kitchens’ style is a little different obviously from Hue (Jackson), but you see the benefit of it. It seems to play very well to the skill sets.

"I like the offensive line, too. They are a physical bunch ... reflective in the way they play as a football team.”

That was before the game. After the Browns won it, Mayfield said he appreciates Rivera's McMahon drop-in and says he has met the ex-Bears QB. Rivera kept praising the Browns.

"Don’t just talk about the mistakes we made," Rivera said. "How about crediting them with some of the things they did. (Williams) has a group of guys who believe in who they’re becoming.”

Panthers wideout Torrey Smith, who first faced the Browns as a Ravens rookie in 2011, came away impressed.

"They did everything they've been showing all year, and they did a good job making plays within that," Smith said. "They earned the win."

Chris Manhertz, a blocking tight end, said the Browns "have good personnel up front, starting with Myles Garrett."

Garrett, last year's top NFL draft pick, was in on a sack of Cam Newton, bringing his season total to 12.5.

Panthers cornerback James Bradberry circled back to this year's No. 1 pick, Mayfield.

"We pretty much had the approach to keep him in the pocket and contain," Bradberry said. "At times, we let him get out of the pocket. At times, we got pressure and made him throw some wild throws.

"They got on us quick. We responded too late."

Carolina, a year removed from going 11-5, lost its fifth straight game. The Browns turned to a Saturday game at Denver, hoping their hot streak didn't start too late.

Reach Steve at 330-580-8347 or

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