Cleveland is attempting to start 3-1 for the first time since 2001.
CLEVELAND — The Browns are already off to their best start in nine years. On Sunday, they’ll attempt to extend their winning streak to three.
Cleveland is in Arlington, Texas today to face the Dallas Cowboys, who are reeling after a 1-2 start that could’ve easily been 0-3 (thanks Atlanta). The Browns, meanwhile, are 2-1 after back-to-back victories over Cincinnati and Washington, and a win today would make them 3-1 for the first time since 2001.
The game is a homecoming of sorts for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who led Lake Travis High School to a state championship in 2011 on the field of AT&T Stadium. Mayfield has been impressive these last two weeks, and has been aided by running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the latter of whom will play this afternoon after being listed as questionable with a groin injury.
Cleveland enters Sunday as a three and a half-point underdog. 3News’ Ben Axelrod offered a preview of the game this morning:
What follows is a live blog of today’s action, with the most recent drives listed closest to the top. 3News will have updates and analysis all day on our air and on WKYC.com.
4TH QUARTER
3:25: Odell. Beckham. JUNIOR: The receiver dashes into the end zone from 50 yards out, and after a strange series of events after a blocked kick, the Browns also get a two-point conversion. Cleveland now leads 49-38.
3:42: CeeDee Lamb catches a 5-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, & just like that, the Cowboys trail just 41-38 after looking dead and buried.
6:00: The Browns barely burn any time off the clock, but Jamie Gillan’s punt gets a nice bounce. Dallas will start at their own 20-yard line needing a score.
6:31: Dak Prescott hits Dalton Schultz for a 26-yard touchdown. Prescott then keep it for the two-point conversion, and the Cowboys are hanging around down 41-30.
8:21: The Browns burn some time off the clock, but Dontrell Hilliard is blown up in the backfield by DeMarcus Lawrence. Jamie Gillan punts, but the Cowboys will be forced back to their own 16 after a penalty.
12:24: The Cowboys quickly march down the field and Tony Pollard finishes the drive with a 3-yard touchdown. The 2-point conversion is good as well, and the Browns’ lead is down to 41-22.
3RD QUARTER
0:45: Cody Parkey’s 44-yard field goal attempt is good, & the Browns now lead the Cowboys 41-14.
5:26: Dak Prescott’s fourth down pass is deflected by Tony Phillips, and the Cowboys come up empty again. The Browns take over on downs from their own 33-yard line.
7:55: The Browns go three and out for the first time today. CeeDee Lamb returns Jamie Gillan’s punt 27 yards to the Dallas 37, and the Cowboys will start there attempting to cut into Cleveland’s 24-point lead.
9:34: The Browns are absolutely dominating, as the defense just forced another Cowboys three and out with an M.J. Stewart Jr. sack of Dak Prescott. A Chris Jones punt is fair-caught at the Cleveland 41, where the Browns will start.
10:51: Kareem Hunt scores his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 14-yard sprint around the left tackle. The Browns have opened up a 38-14 lead on the Cowboys.
2ND QUARTER
0:00: Cody Parkey nails a 37-yard field goal as time expires, and the Browns take a 31-14 lead over the Cowboys into halftime.
3:53: Cleveland finally gets a stop without taking the ball away, and the Cowboys are forced to punt from near midfield. The Browns will start their next drive at their own 10.
7:20: The Browns have now scored their last two touchdowns off turnovers (and 28 points total on the year), as Kareem Hunt punches it in from two yards out. 28-14 Cleveland as the Cowboys fans grow restless.
9:11: The Cowboys turn it over again, as Ezekiel Elliot coughs it up after a long run and Vincent Taylor recovers it. The Browns will start on their own 49-yard line.
9:22: Kareem Hunt breaks off a couple of nice runs to get to the goal line, and Baker Mayfield finishes the job with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper. The Browns are back in front, 21-14.
11:15: ANOTHER strip sack for Myles Garett!! The star defensive end knocks the ball out of Dak Prescott’s hand and Olivier Vernon pounces on it, and the Browns take over on the Cowboys 34.
13:07: The Browns tie it up as Baker Mayfield caps off a nice drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Odell Beckham Jr. It’s 14-14, but Cleveland did take a hit, as Nick Chubb’s return is questionable after leaving the game with a right knee injury.
1ST QUARTER
2:08: The Cowboys go for it on 4th and short from the Browns 20, and Dak Prescott threads the needle to Amari Cooper for the touchdown. Dallas takes a 14-7 lead.
6:10: The Browns get a couple first downs, but the drive stalls near mid-field. The Cowboys will start at their own 16-yard line after a Jamie Gillan punt.
9:53: Just like that, the Cowboys tie it up. Dak Prescott hits a wide-open CeeDee Lamb for a 43-yard touchdown, and this game is all knotted up at 7.
12:13: Trickeration!!! Jarvis Landry takes the reverse handoff from Nick Chubb, only to fire it downfield (left-handed!) and hit his best friend Odell Beckham Jr. for a 37-yard touchdown. Jerry World is shell-shocked, and the Browns lead 7-0.
13:23: The Cowboys go three and out on the first drive, with Arlington native Myles Garrett getting in on the fun with a sack of Dak Prescott. Donovan Peoples-Jones returns the Cleveland 31, where the Browns will start.
PREGAME
Running back Kareem Hunt, cornerback Denzel Ward, defensive end Olivier Vernon, and offensive tackle Joel Bitonio are all active for the Browns today and will be in the starting lineup. Second-year corner Greedy Williams, meanwhile, remains inactive with a shoulder injury and his still not played this season.