Daily Dawg Tags: Browns pick up a win in preseason opener

The Cleveland Browns picked up a victory in Thursday’s preseason opener, which is a nice change after losing all four preseason games in 2016.

Cleveland Browns fans wanted exciting quarterback play Thursday night and they got just that.

DeShone Kizer played the entire second half and led two touchdown drives, with the second one giving the Browns a 20-14 lead that would never be surrendered.

The rookie finished with 184 passing yards, completing 11 of his 14 passes. He also didn’t turn the ball over, which was true for Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler as well.

Osweiler started the game and had a rough time with a unit he has hardly practiced with this offseason. The absence of Joe Thomas, who was replaced by Cameron Erving, didn’t help much either.

Kessler didn’t see much time on the field, which doesn’t bode well for his chances of starting the regular season opener.

But there are still three preseason games to be played, and declaring Kizer the starter after a great performance against third and fourth-string players wouldn’t be wise. But man, he sure did look good.

The game also saw the debuts of Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers, who both had solid nights in limited action. Garrett had several tackles and got in the backfield with ease on more than one occasion, while Peppers nearly broke free for a return touchdown.

The majority of the talk from this game will be about the quarterbacks, but it was nice to see the first-round picks, aside from David Njoku who sat out with an injury, be positive assets to this team.

We will have plenty of coverage from this game both today and throughout the weekend, so let’s take a look at last night’s game and more in today’s Daily Dawg Tags.

Cleveland Browns news:

Browns vs. Saints: First half preseason recap

"The Cleveland Browns looked to be in midseason form during the first half of Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. That’s not necessarily a good thing."

DeShone Kizer’s late TD and second half revive Browns’ QB debate (ESPN)

"DeShone Kizer stepped forward in the Cleveland Browns quarterback discussion."

Kizer shows off big arm in Browns’ 20-14 victory over Saints (cleveland.com)

"DeShone Kizer provided a glimpse of the future when he heaved a 45-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Jordan Payton with 1:52 remaining in Thursday night’s 20-14 victory over the Saints in the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium."

Browns defeat Saints, 20-14, in preseason opener (clevelandbrowns.com)

"The preseason might be something of a dress rehearsal, but don’t tell that to Hue Jackson."

NFL news:

Ezekiel Elliott suspension expected (PFT)

"It may come Friday, it could be bumped into next week. Regardless of the timing, the prevailing view in league circles is that Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will be suspended under the Personal Conduct Policy."

Mike Glennon throws pick-six on second pass vs. Broncos (FanSided)

"Well, the Mike Glennon era with the Chicago Bears is not off to the best start, as was clearly evident on Thursday."