Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 3rd Quarter Game Thread

The Browns’ drive to start the second quarter sputtered thanks to a holding penalty on the first play. Down 17-3, the Buccaneers marched right back down the field and got within the five yard line. That’s when the Browns’ defense finally held for a couple of plays, defending a couple of passes to force Tampa Bay to kick a field goal to make it a 20-3 game.

Cleveland was able to move the chains on their next drive, but a couple of more busted plays happened and QB Robert Griffin III took a big shot on third down. The next drive was more of the same for Tampa Bay, as they kept pouring it on, this time with a 34-yard touchdown pass from QB Jameis Winston to WR Mike Evans to go up 27-3.

Two drives later, it was left to WR Josh Gordon to restore some optimism before the end of the half, as Griffin connected with him on a 43-yard touchdown to make it a 27-10 game. That’s where we stand heading into the second half; it’s unclear whether any of the starters will return.

Game: Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date/Time: Friday, August 26, 2016 at 8:00 PM ET
Television: CBS (Channel 19) - Ian Eagle & Phil Simms (analyst)
Local Radio: ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 FM WNCX