Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills: Halftime reax
By Thomas Moore
Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) jumps away from Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
It was a rough first half for the Cleveland Browns offense Thursday night against Buffalo, but the teams went into the half of their preseason friendly with the scored tied 3-3.
Things started out a little rough for the good guys as Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor converted on three third-down conversions in leading the Bills to a 16-play, 57-yard drive that ate up nine-and-a-half minutes. The Browns were bailed out when Paul Kruger sacked Taylor on a third down, leading to a missed 46-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter.
Josh McCown did not look as good on his opening drive of the night, taking a sack and being intercepted on a tipped pass that was thrown high to tight end Gary Barnidge. (Barnidge also paid the price with a shot to the chest from a Buffalo defender.)
Josh McCown throws into triple-coverage.
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2015
The @buffalobills take away Josh McCown's football. #BUFvsCLE http://t.co/QNVz6kGNfW
#Browns TE Gary Barnidge taken to locker room to be evaluated for concussion.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) August 21, 2015
Jerry Hughes with the sack. Browns fans weep for what they wish would have been this off-season
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) August 21, 2015
The defense looked better on the second drive, but the Bills still finished the first quarter by outgaining the Browns 78-12, and had six first downs to just two for the Browns.
While the defense settled down after the opening drive, the same could be said of the offense as McCown was picked off for the second consecutive series on another poor throw to Andrew Hawkins. It was an ugly series that saw the Browns only move 28 yards and have to burn a timeout.
Josh McCown throws his 2nd INT to Ronald Darby. Deep heave to Hawkins was thrown too high. Not a good start for this offense
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) August 21, 2015
Why are you throwing there McCown?! Your experience isn't shining tonight. #Browns #INT
— Alana Coticchia (@dawgpndgirl) August 21, 2015
It honestly didn't take long for McCown to hit his mid-season form, 2x quick INTs. #CLEvsBUF
— Paul (@BrOhio_Paul) August 21, 2015
Because the first two drives were disappointing, McCown ended up playing the entire first half, completing seven-of-10 passes for 58 yards and two interceptions, while being sacked twice.
He achieved mildly competent levels on his final drive of the half, leading the Browns on a 15-play 57-yard drive that, while not pretty, ended with a Travis Coons field goal that sent the teams into the half tied.
The Browns ended up with just 85 yards of total offense in the half, with 46 coming on the ground as Terrance West ran for 28 yards and Isaiah Crowell added 18.