Mayfield sharp as Browns tame Lions

DETROIT — Baker Mayfield threw for 138 yards in a dominant first half for Cleveland, and the Browns wrapped up the preseason with a 35-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.

Mayfield completed a 41yard pass to Devon Cajuste on the first play from scrimmage, and the top overall pick in this year’s draft looked sharp throughout his two quarters directing Cleveland’s offense.

With Tyrod Taylor atop the depth chart at quarterback, the Browns are likely to bring Mayfield along slowly. But if the rookie doesn’t play again for a while, this was a nice note to finish on before the start of the regular season.

Nick Chubb and Matthew Dayes ran for touchdowns for Cleveland in what was generally a battle of backups.

The Lions closed out an uninspiring preseason under

new Coach Matt Patricia. They were booed off the field at halftime by the sparse crowd at Ford Field with the score 25-0.

Jake Rudock did little to distinguish himself in the competition to back up quarterback Matthew Stafford. When he was taken out late in the second quarter, the Lions had been outgained 261-40 and had only two first downs — and both of those came on Cleveland penalties.

EAGLES 10, JETS 9

PHILADELPHIA — Christian Hackenberg had a rough audition for an NFL roster spot, tossing two interceptions but defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia rallied to beat New York to avoid a winless preseason.

Joe Callahan threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Matt Jones with 18 seconds left to lift Philadelphia.

Jason Myers kicked field goals of 58 and 43 yards for the Jets. New York’s defense didn’t allow a touchdown in August until the final drive.

Eagles quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Nick Foles and Nate Sudfeld watched from the sideline, while Jets rookie Sam Darnold also was a spectator. Darnold is expected to be New York’s starting quarterback in Week 1.

DOLPHINS 34, FALCONS 7

ATLANTA — Brock Osweiler made a strong final bid for Miami’s backup quarterback job, leading three first-quarter touchdown drives in the Dolphins’ victory over Atlanta.

Osweiler is competing with David Fales to be Ryan Tannehill’s backup. Osweiler completed each of his first six passes for 65 yards, including a 1-yard scoring pass to Buddy Howell, on Miami’s opening drive.

He added a 14-yard scoring pass to Francis Owusu on the final play of the third quarter.

Osweiler completed 16 of 25 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns for the Dolphins (1-3). Fales completed 13 of 20 passes for 94 yards and one interception.

Each team rested its starters in the final preseason game.

PATRIOTS 17, GIANTS 12

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Third-stringer Danny Etling tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Webb early in the second half and iced the game with an 86-yard run late as New England beat New York.

Both teams rested their starters. Giants quarterback Eli Manning chatted with receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the first half, while Tom Brady sat next to the New England water coolers and relaxed.

There wasn’t much action on the field, with the biggest play coming late after an Alex Tanney-led drive from the New York 1 stalled at the Patriots 14 with New England ahead 10-6.

COLTS 27, BENGALS 26

CINCINNATI — Matt Barkley’s left knee was injured by a low hit after he threw a pass during Cincinnati’s loss to Indianapolis, giving Jeff Driskel the inside track for the Bengals’ backup quarterback role.

Driskel finished the first half and went 14 of 20 for 116 yards with a 20-yard touchdown and a passer rating of 101.2.

For the second year in a row, the Bengals lost a quarterback to injury in the final preseason game. It was the most high-profile job up for grabs in a game that featured few starters. The Colts’ Andrew Luck and the Bengals’ Andy Dalton watched as reserves competed for roster spots.