Browns vs. Lions: Score, Recap & Highlights

Johnny Manziel

Jonny Football will be the center of attention Saturday in Detroit. (Getty)


Final Score: Lions 13, Browns 12

Jonny Manziel’s NFL debut came in a defensive struggle that Manziel’s Browns ultimately lost.

Manziel relieved Brian Hoyer in the second quarter and had a fairly uneventful debut, completing 7 passes, rushing for a team-high 27 yards.

But for all the talk about Manziel, it was another backup quarterback — Detroit’s Kellen Moore — who made the difference in a 13-12 Lions win.

Here’s how it went down:


The Lions Scored a 4th Quarter Touchdown to Take the Lead, Then Sealed it With an Interception

The fist touchdown of the game didn’t come until the fourth quarter. But when one team finally made it to the end zone, it was decisive.

Kellen Moore — the third Detroit quarterback of the night — hit Corey Fuller for a 21-yard touchdown with 1:05 left in the game that put Detroit up 13-12.

The play capped a 4-play, 50-yard drive.

Tyler Thigpen had a chance to lead the Browns on a scoring drive in the final minute, but an interception sealed it for Detroit.


The Teams Traded Field Goals in the 1st & 2nd Quarters

Jeremy Ross returned the opening kickoff 49 yards, putting Matthew Stafford and Co. in prime position to score and setting up a 37-yard field goal — the fist of his career — by rookie Nate Freese with just over 11 minutes left in the first quarter.

That was apparently all the Lions needed to see from Stafford. Backup Dan Orlovsky came in to replace him on the next series.

Later in the quarter, Brian Hoyer led the Browns on a 7-play, 31-yard drive that culminated in a 43-yard Billy Cundiff field goal that tied it at 3 with 1:48 left in the quarter.

The teams traded field goals again in the second quarter, Cleveland taking the lead on a Cundiff field goal with 11:10 left in the second quarter and Detroit answering with a 32-yarder by Freese with 25 seconds left to send the teams into the break scoreless.


Johnny Manziel Made His Debut in the 2nd Quarter

Johnny Manziel preseason

Manziel scrambles in the third quarter. (Getty)

Manziel relieved Hoyer in the second quarter for Cleveland’s fourth series. He led his first career scoring drive on the opening drive of the third quarter, when Cundiff’s 41-yard field goal with 11:27 left in the quarter capped a short but effective 7-play, 26-yard drive.

He played the entire third quarter before being replaced by Tyler Thigpen with the Browns leading 9-6.

His final stat line: 7-for-11 passing for 63 yards passing with no touchdowns and no interceptions, and 27 rushing yards on 6 attempts. Sixteen of those yards came on this scramble:


Brian Hoyer Played 3 Series & Threw for 92 Yards

Brian Hoyer, Terrance West, Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions

Hoyer hands the ball off to Terrance West. (Getty)

Hoyer started as expected and had a so-so performance, completing 6 of 14 passes for 92 yards in three series with no touchdowns and no interceptions before being replaced by Manziel.


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