The Cleveland Browns lost their first preseason game 23-10 against the Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns Stadium Saturday evening.
Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson excelled in the second half, totaling 134 pass yards on 14/18 throwing. Rookie wideout Jamari Thrash led the team with 43 receiving yards on three catches, all from Thompson-Robinson. Defensively for the Browns, safety Brady Breeze led the team with 10 combined tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit.
The game opened with a Packers touchdown on the third play from scrimmage as quarterback Jordan Love connected with wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard toss and catch. Browns safety Ronnie Hickman got beat in coverage and pulled up injured after the play. He left the game with a back injury.
Cleveland’s first drive, led by quarterback Jameis Winston, lasted nine plays and resulted in a successful 55-yard field goal by Cade York into the Dawg Pound, cutting the Packers lead to 7-3.
The following possession featured Cleveland’s defense, who forced a turnover on downs in Green Bay territory. The Browns then put Tyler Huntley into the game at quarterback, sending Winston to the sidelines.
Early in the second quarter, Browns center Luke Wypler went down with a right ankle injury. He was carted off the field and his leg was immobilized.
With 2:48 before halftime, Packers running back Emanuel Wilson punched in a 5-yard touchdown run to increase their lead to 14-3.
After a Cleveland drive stalled out, Green Bay took advantage before the half when Packers kicker Andres Carlson connected on a 46-yard attempt as time expired to increase their lead to 17-3.
Out of the break, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson came into the game and replaced Huntley. On the first play of the third quarter, Browns running back John Kelly Jr. caught a screen pass but fumbled after the catch. Green Bay took over at Cleveland’s 38-yard line.
Packers kicker Greg Joseph extended Green Bay’s lead to 20-3, converting on a 35-yard field goal with 12:10 left in the third quarter.
Green Bay added three more off the leg of Carlson, who made a 33-yard field goal with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter to give the Packers a 23-3 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Browns failed to convert a fourth down and nine from the Green Bay 11-yard line. On the drive, Thrash had three catches for 43 yards.
Led by Thomspon-Robinson, the Browns capitalized on a mythical 13-play, 66-yard drive that ended with Browns running back Aidan Robbins finding the endzone on a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The drive cut the Green Bay lead to 23-10 with 5:08 to go.
After two kneel downs by Packers rookie quarterback Michael Pratt, the Browns will turn their attention to next week. Cleveland will be back in Berea, Ohio on Monday for training camp before the Minnesota Vikings come to town for joint practices Wednesday and Thursday. The Browns will then host Minnesota Saturday in their second preseason game.
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