John Kuntz cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield prepares to throw a pass as offensive tackle Greg Robinson holds off Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb in the second half, December 15, 2018, at Broncos Stadium in Denver, Co. John Kuntz, cleveland.com cleveland.com

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - The improvements in the Browns offense since Week 9 are well documented. Freddie Kitchens has gone from a relatively unknown position coach to now asserting himself in several conversations for head coaching jobs.

The Browns offense is functioning at a higher level in multiple phases and positions.

The turnaround of Baker Mayfield from a relatively pedestrian rookie season to a top-eight quarterback in the league, and perhaps one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in NFL history, has been special.

But perhaps the single biggest turnaround for the offense has been the ability to keep the quarterback upright and devoid of pressure since Kitchens took over.

Make no doubt, the insertion of Greg Robinson at left tackle has helped immensely, but let's not forget that when it comes to pass protection, there are many who hold responsibility.

Having surrendered just five total sacks since the Kansas City game, the Browns lead the NFL by a wide margin.

They also have only allowed seven total quarterback hits in that same time frame. The next closest team has allowed its quarterback to be hit 28 times.

The numbers are staggering, and it's not like the Browns haven't played some of the league's better pass rushers, as the schedule included Houston and Denver.

Let's take a look at how the Browns have been able to keep Mayfield clean, and help their offense become an efficient, productive force.

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MAX PROTECTION

Under the leadership of Todd Haley, the Browns were often running out of "11" personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers).

This left them in a formation with three wide receivers -- a position of weakness early in the season -- far too often. It left the Browns vulnerable against pressure for Haley's long-developing route concepts.

Kitchens has made frequent use of the mass protection we see above, where the Browns love to move their back-side guard across the scheme to sell run action, only to see him kick out the rush end. This also allows them to down block off the snap to create better angles. It lends itself to several double teams at the point of attack.

This scheme has been the staple of the Browns' play-action look since Kitchens took over. It has produced some of the Browns' best downfield concepts.

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RUNNING BACK OR TIGHT END CHIP

Since Kitchens took over the play calling, the Browns have often employed the tight end or running back chip to help out where they view a weakness in a match-up.

The Browns used it several times against Houston and Denver, and they did the same Sunday against the Bengals. Watch Duke Johnson chip the backside defensive end here. In doing so, it changes the rush course and slows down the quick upfield speed.

In simpler terms, it completely changes the rush approach for the defensive end and helps Robinson win his matchup. Seems simple enough.

The Browns have been wise to do this often over the second half of the schedule.

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QUICK THROWS

The Browns have done a nice job improving their tempo since Week 9. Far too often, Haley was forcing the Browns' tackles to play on an island in schemes that were taking too long to develop.

One of the common answers from Mayfield when asked about Kitchens' impact on him as a play-caller has touched on "getting his eyes right." This means having your eyes in the exact place they need to be as a quarterback to deliver the ball on time and accurately.

On Sunday against Cincinnati, Kitchens and Mayfield did a nice job of aligning again.

When the Browns went with an empty backfield or four-receiver sets, Mayfield had the defense deciphered quickly, and knew right where to go with the football.

Things are easier on your offensive line when your quarterback has the ball out well before the rush ever becomes a factor.

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MAYFIELD'S POCKET MOVEMENT

The quarterback is always a key component of the effectiveness of your pass protection. On top of often making line calls and adjustments, the quarterback is responsible for movement within the pocket to help his linemen.

Mayfield has done a much better job of this since Week 9. He has grown comfortable with edge rushers working inside or outside and having the feel for stepping out and getting outside the pocket, or stepping up and sliding out to either side.

In these three clips, Mayfield does a nice job feeling the pocket to slide out and put the pressure away.

On each of these, he delivers a strike to finish the play. This has become a common theme for the Browns' offense since midseason.

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MAYFIELD'S ESCAPE ABILITY

When it comes to pressure and sack stats, on occasion you need your quarterback to save you. Miscommunications happen all the time when you have five men trying to block multiple defenders who moving both pre- and post-snap.

Here are two examples from Sunday.

Mayfield is able to notice the unblocked man and work outside the pocket to deliver the ball to the best outlet option available.

The second play was particularly impressive, as Mayfield feels the backside defensive end come free, pushed out to his right, and delivers a strike to David Njoku before the pressure gets home. This play potentially saved the game.

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OFFENSIVE LINE COHESION

Lastly, we will talk about line cohesion.

When the Browns were starting rookie left tackle Desmond Harrison, something felt off. They often failed to work effectively to stop twist stunts -- the crossing and looping movements at the snap from defensive linemen -- and the group never seemed to be on the same page.

Something has happened since Week 9.

Now, this could be due to the improvement of veteran Greg Robinson, or it could be the group remaining healthy and active as one for the entire season. Likely it is a mixture of both.

Watch here as the group successfully passes off the long stem from the blitzing MIKE linebacker in time to allow for Mayfield to deliver the strike downfield to Rashard Higgins. The play was called back, but it truly showed just how cohesive the line has become in handling pressure since the Haley firing.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

What the Brows are doing truly is not groundbreaking stuff in the pass game.

What Kitchens has been able to do is simplify things, and balance numbers in protection.

When the Browns have found their best success, it is using their favorite schemes, but doing so with the offense controlling the point of attack.

Their play-action schemes now help the offensive linemen instead of leaving them on an island.

Kitchens' spread schemes now help Mayfield with easy throws instead of asking him to sit and wait for routes to develop.

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Lastly, the game has slowed down for Mayfield.

When that happens, the rush in front of you, and the pocket you throw from become less intimidating, and much easier to manipulate. That is what we have seen from Mayfield in these last seven games. He has been integral in helping the protection in front of him.

Heading into Week 9, the Browns front office likely knew it would have to make an offseason change at left tackle, and at play-caller.

Since then, with the help of Mayfield, the Browns might have an answer at both spots. If the Browns can find offensive success against Baltimore's top ranked defense Sunday, there is little doubt the answers are already in Berea.

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Jake Burns played quarterback at the collegiate level and also has coached at both the high school and college levels. You can read more X&O analysis from Burns at the OBRand VikingUpdate.com.