Mayfield delivers victory for Browns
For the first time in 635 days, the Browns found a way to win.
Baker Mayfield showed them how.
The No. 1 overall pick replaced injured starter Tyrod Taylor and sparked the Browns, who got two 1-yard touchdown runs from Carlos Hyde and beat the Jets 21-17 on Thursday night in Cleveland for their first win since Dec. 24, 2016.
And so ends the Browns’ 19-game winless streak, the NFL’s second-longest since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
The Browns (1-1-1) trailed 14-0 in the first half before Mayfield came in for Taylor and led four scoring drives while winning an unexpected matchup against Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. The Browns passed on taking Darnold in the draft and instead chose Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma.
Mayfield finished 17for-23 for 201 yards in a little more than a half after coming in after Taylor suffered a concussion.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones says he’s “good” to play against the Saints on Sunday despite missing his second day of practice with tightness in his calf.
Jones says his absence from practice was “just precaution.” He says he “felt some tightness” in Sunday’s 31-24 win over the Panthers.
The Falcons also held out running back Devonta Freeman (sore right knee), linebacker Corey Nelson (calf ) and defensive ends Takk McKinley and Derrick Shelby, who have groin injuries. Nelson was hurt in Wednesday’s practice.
Freeman did not play against the Panthers.
While the Vikings and Browns changed kickers after only two games, the Bengals gave Randy Bullock a two-year contract extension for his perfect start.
He’s made every field goal and extra-point attempt, helping the Bengals remain unbeaten.
The seventh-year kicker has settled into the job after beating out fifthround draft pick Jake Elliott last year, prompting the Bengals (2-0) to offer the contract extension through 2020. He signed it on Tuesday.
Bullock is one of 11 kickers in the NFL who have yet to miss.
TE Rob Gronkowski is dealing with an ankle issue as the Patriots prepare for their Week 3 matchup with the Lions. Gronkowski was a limited participant in practice after participating in Wednesday’s workout. DE Trey Flowers and S Patrick Chung missed practice for the second straight day as they continue to go through the league’s concussion protocol . ... Broncos QB Case Keenum returned to practice after missing a day with a sore knee. Keenum didn’t want to miss Wednesday’s workout but said he understood that being cautious in September will give him a better chance of staying in the lineup all season . ... Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ 10 TDs are the most in NFL history by a QB in his team’s first two games. Peyton Manning has the most through three games with 12 in 2013 for the Broncos and Tom Brady is second with 11 in 2011.