CLEVELAND — The Browns' defense put together an imperfect but promising performance against the Steelers last week. They built on those bright spots Sunday against the Giants, but it wasn't enough to lift Hue Jackson and Co. to their first win of the season.
Instead, New York powered past Cleveland, 27-13, at FirstEnergy Stadium for their sixth-straight victory.
The Browns, who fell to 0-12 this season, held the Giants to 298 total yards, forced nine punts and trailed by a touchdown in the fourth quarter. But they committed three turnovers — including a All Pro defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul's momentum-swinging fumble recovery for a touchdown — and were unable to shut down down receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who caught two touchdown passes including a late score that dashed Cleveland's comeback aspirations.
Browns quarterback Josh McCown, who started in place of an injured Cody Kessler, threw for 322 yards and a 20-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Corey Coleman that cut the lead to 20-13 midway through the final period.
But on the previous series, Pierre-Paul returned the first McCown's two fumbles 43 yards to put the Giants up two scores. That moment was something of a turning point in a game that watched Cleveland outgain New York in total yards.
The Browns and Giants exchanged seven punts before New York scored on a 13-yard pass from Eli Manning to Dwayne Harris, capitalizing on an Isaiah Crowell fumble midway through the second quarter.
Manning finished with just 194 yards on 15-of-27 attempts, but he tossed three touchdown passes to pace the Giants offense.
Terrelle Pryor caught six passes for 131 yards, but the rest of Cleveland's receivers struggled to consistently produce against a tough secondary.
The Browns are on a bye next week and host Cincinnati the following weekend.
The Browns play the New York Giants in Week 12.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. walks the field during pregame warmups.
Head Coach Hue Jackson signs autographs for fans before the Browns vs. Giants game.
Head Coach Hue Jackson, left, talks with New York Giants Head Coach Ben McAdoo, right, during pregame warmups.
WR Corey Coleman runs on the field during warmups.
QB Josh McCown walks the field during pregame warmups.
QB Josh McCown warms up.
Head Coach Hue Jackson watches players warm up.
QB Robert Griffin III, right, talks with New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr., left, during pregame warmups.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. catches the ball during warmups.
QB Josh McCown warms up.
The Cleveland Browns defense runs out of the tunnel.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. runs out of the tunnel before the Browns vs. Giants game.
LB Corey Lemonier sacks New York Giants QB Eli Manning.
QB Josh McCown looks to pass.
DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (20) reacts after making a tackle.
RB Isaiah Crowell runs the ball.
DB Joe Haden breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr.
RB Duke Johnson Jr. tries to avoid a tackle.
QB Josh McCown takes a snap in the first half.
LB Jamie Collins Sr. in action against the Giants.
DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun waits for the snap.
RB Isaiah Crowell runs with the ball.
OL John Greco gets set at the line of scrimmage.
WR Ricardo Louis, left, and LB Joe Schobert, right, go in for a tackle.
LB Jamie Collins Sr. waits for the snap.
DB Joe Haden in action against the Giants.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. runs a route.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. makes a catch in the first half.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. tries to avoid a tackle.
RB Duke Johnson Jr. throws the ball during the first half.
QB Josh McCown talks with Head Coach Hue Jackson on the sideline during the first half.
QB Josh McCown looks to pass.
Head Coach Hue Jackson, left, watches the game during the first half.
DB Joe Haden defends New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr.
DB Jamar Taylor defends New York Giants WR Roger Lewis.
RB Duke Johnson Jr. stiff arms New York Giants CB Janoris Jenkins.
C Cam Erving in action against the Giants.
K Cody Parkey makes a field goal in the first half.
LB Jamie Collins Sr. pushes back New York Giants TE Will Tye.
The Browns defense gets set at the line of scrimmage.
WR Ricardo Louis returns a punt in the first half.
DL Jamie Meder (98) makes a tackle.
OL Joe Thomas in action against the Giants.
LB Dominque Alexander celebrates after recovering a fumble.
RB Isaiah Crowell runs with the ball.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. avoids a tackle.
QB Josh McCown looks to pass.
LB Christian Kirksey (58) makes a tackle.
DL Xavier Cooper makes a tackle.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. on the field in the first half.
QB Josh McCown, left, hands the ball off to RB Isaiah Crowell, right.
QB Josh McCown takes a snap in the first half.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. is tackled.
QB Josh McCown avoids a tackle as he runs with the ball.
The Browns defense tackles New York Giants RB Rashad Jennings.
QB Josh McCown throws the ball.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. evades New York Giants S Landon Collins.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. is tackled.
DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants WR Roger Lewis.
RB Isaiah Crowell runs with the ball.
LB Christian Kirksey makes a tackle.
DB Ed Reynolds II in action against the Giants.
The Browns defense makes a tackle.
DB Ibraheim Campbell, left, and LB Dominique Alexander, right, wait for the snap.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. runs the ball.
DB Marcus Burley in action against the Giants.
DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants WR Roger Lewis.
WR Ricardo Louis returns a punt in the second half.
RB Duke Johnson Jr. runs with the ball.
QB Josh McCown in action against the Giants.
Head Coach Hue Jackson watches the game from the sideline.
WR Corey Coleman catches a touchdown in the second half.
WR Corey Coleman celebrates after making a touchdown.
C Cam Erving lifts WR Corey Coleman into the air in celebration after Coleman's touchdown.
