The Browns lost, 27-12, to the Vikings on Saturday in their second game of the preseason.
Most starters on both teams did not play, but instead took a majority of reps during the teams' joint practices this week. QBs Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley played in relief of Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston.
Key Moments
The two offenses each found the end zone on their first drives of the game.
On the Vikings' possession, QB Nick Mullens found WR Jalen Nailor for a gain of 31 yards on third-and-7 with CB Cameron Mitchell in coverage. A few plays later, Mullens hit WR Trishton Jackson in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
Cleveland's offense quickly answered, with QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson leading a well-executed touchdown drive. Thompson-Robinson connected with WR James Proche II early in the drive for a 17-yard gain. He later threw a perfectly placed ball on fourth down for WR Jamari Thrash, who made a nice run after the catch to pick up the first down.
Thompson-Robinson showed his ability to improvise on the following play, rolling right to evade pressure and firing a long pass downfield to FB Giovanni Ricci in the corner of the end zone. S Bobby McCain knocked the ball away but drew a flag for defensive pass interference, setting up RB D'Onta Foreman at the 1-yard line for a touchdown run.
On the following drive, it looked like the Browns got a massive boost after DT Shelby Harris rocked Mullens for an 8-yard sack, knocking the ball free. However, the ruling on the field was overturned and K Will Reichard converted a 41-yard field goal.
Cleveland struggled to get the run game going and punted on its following three drives but moved the ball well on its final drive before the half. That came to a halt when a Thompson-Robinson pass was tipped and intercepted. Foreman took a short pass for a 27-yard gain, jump starting the drive. Thompson-Robinson also connected with Ricci for a 17-yard gain as the Browns offense was rolling before the interception.
Thompson-Robinson completed 13-of-17 passing attempts for 126 yards and an interception.
Huntley took over in the second half, starting his day with a 30-yard completion to TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden before throwing a red zone interception, which was returned 90 yards to set up a Vikings touchdown.
Huntley answered by commanding an 8-minute-long field goal drive – highlighted by an impressive catch by WR Jaelon Darden on third down. Huntley targeted Mitchell-Paden and a Vikings defender batted the ball into the air. Darden snagged the loose ball right before it hit the ground and took it for a 16-yard gain.
After the two teams traded punts, the Vikings got back into the end zone on a 71-yard bomb from QB Jaren Hall to WR Jeshaun Jones, who beat CB Myles Harden over the top and sprinted untouched to the end zone.
DT Chris Williams provided a late spark for the Browns when he sacked QB Matt Corral in the Vikings end zone, resulting in a safety.
Players of the Game:
RB D'Onta Foreman: The Browns RB was a bright spot on the Cleveland offense, tallying 64 total yards and scoring the Browns' only touchdown of the game. Foreman was a dynamic piece in the Browns' passing attack, averaging 9.2 yards per reception.
DE Chris Williams: Williams made life difficult for Vikings quarterbacks on Saturday, getting two sacks – the second of which resulted in a safety in the fourth quarter.
Corey Bojorquez: Bojorquez pinned Minnesota at or inside its own 20-yard line on four of his six punts Saturday. The six-year veteran averaged 50.2 yards per punt – including a 32-yarder that occurred right after it started raining – and had a long of 62.
What's next?
The Browns will have Sunday off before returning to practice Monday. They will travel to Seattle next Saturday for their third and final preseason game against the Seahawks. The game will kick off at 10 p.m. ET at Lumen Field.
