Browns-Packers Final Score: RG III, Terrelle Pryor with highlight play in Cleveland’s 17-11 loss

The first preseason game for Cleveland saw them fall to Green Bay by a final score of 17-11.

The Green Bay Packers got the ball first and persisted on running the ball with rookie quarterback Joe Callahan under center, but ultimately had to punt. When Robert Griffin III came in for his first play in a Browns uniform, he and wide receiver Terrelle Pryor provided some excitement:

The 49-yard gain was the highlight of the game. Later in the drive, Griffin tried to hit tight end Gary Barnidge on a dart over the middle at the goal line, but there was a miscommunication between the two and the pass was picked off by DB Micah Hyde.

The interception saw the Packers take over at the 1 yard line. Green Bay handed off to running back James Starks, but the play was blown up by defensive tackle Jamie Meder and inside linebacker Tank Carder for a safety, giving Cleveland a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, running back Raheem Mostert fumbled the free kick, leading to a 53-yard field goal by the Packers to go up 3-2.

Cleveland added a 46-yard field goal by kicker Patrick Murray in the second quarter to take a 5-3 lead. The Packers re-took the lead at 10-5 after Callahan led a two-minute drill, capped off with a 2-yard touchdown pass with 0:07 left in the half.

The Browns started Austin Davis to begin the second half, but he left before the end of the quarter with concussion-like symptoms. The Packers tacked on another 54-yard field goal mid-way through the third quarter to go up 13-5. After the Browns forced a punt from the 1 yard line, a good return by Mostert and a penalty set Cleveland up at the 10 yard line. On the first pass by rookie quarterback Cody Kessler, he found fellow rookie wide receiver Rashard Higgins for a touchdown to make it a 13-11 game (the two point try was no good).

With the Packers driving in the red zone in the fourth quarter, cornerback Eric Patterson came through with a big interception at the 1 yard line. That’s when Kessler had his “Welcome to the NFL” moment, because off of a playaction fake, he ran himself out of the back of the end zone for a self-inflicted safety, giving the Packers a 15-11 Packers lead.

The Browns’ defense forced gave Kessler a couple of shots at redemption. With just over two minutes to go, though, he was dumped for another safety, giving Green Bay a 17-11 game with Cleveland now all out of timeouts. Have we had three safeties in one preseason game before? The Packers took a knee to finish the game.

Quick Hitters

• QB Robert Griffin III finished the game 4-of-8 for 67 yards and 1 INT.
• WR Terrelle Pryor had 2 catches for 57 yards on 3 targets. Both catches went for first downs.
• RB Raheem Mostert led the Browns in rushing with 5 carries for 43 yards, including this 27 yard run.
• The Browns had a couple of special teams miscues early, as OLB Joe Schobert ran into the punter (giving them a first down), and the Mostert fumble after the safety. However, they also had some really nice plays, including K Patrick Murray’s 46-yard field goal, CB Tracy Howard and WR Ricardo Louis combining to down a punt at the 1 yard line, and special teams tackling in general.
• DE Emmanuel Ogbah and DE Carl Nassib each had sacks. CB Eric Patterson had an interception.
• WR Rannell Hall left the game with an ankle injury. QB Austin Davis might have a concussion.

What did you think, Browns fans? We’ll have plenty of analysis up over the weekend, so stay tuned to DBN.