Cleveland banged up while improving to 4- 1
S 32, COUTS 23
CLEVELAND » Bill Belichick was their coach and Nick Saban was on his staff the last time the Cleveland Browns were this good this early.
Baker Mayfield passed for a seasonhigh 247 yards and two touchdowns against the NFL’s No. 1 defense, Myles Garrett forced a crucial safety in the fourth quarter and the Browns held on for a 32- 23 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The Browns, just three years removed from 0- 16, are 4- 1 for the first time since 1994.
“It’s very special,” said wide receiver Jarvis Landry. “We continue to make strides each week.”
Mayfield made sure the Browns ( 4- 1) kept the momentum going. The win could have been costly, though, as Mayfield injured his ribs in the fourth quarter. Coach Kevin Stefanski said the quarterback is going for X- rays.
Cheered on by 12,000 fans inside FirstEnergy Stadium, Mayfield threw TD passes to Kareem Hunt and Rashard Higgins in the first half while rolling up 228 yards passing. The Colts’ defense came in allowing the fewest passing yards, points and led the NFL in interceptions.
The Browns seemed to be in total control when safety Ronnie Harrison picked off Philip River s and returned it 47 yards for a TD in the third quarter to give Cleveland a 27- 10 lead.
But Colts returner Isaiah Rodgers brought back the ensuing kickoff 101 yards for a TD — the longest play in the league this season. Then the Browns turned to their defense and a huge run by backup running back D’Ernest Johnson to finish the job.