Nick Chubb, Browns hold off winless Lions

[November 22, 2021] The Cleveland Browns welcomed back Nick Chubb with open arms and closed out the visiting Detroit Lions 13-10 on Sunday afternoon.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) falls into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half against the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Chubb returned for Cleveland (6-5) after missing last week's blowout loss to New England while on the reserve/COVID list. Chubb rushed for 130 yards on 22 carries and caught a short touchdown pass Sunday. Cleveland rushed for 184 yards and never trailed.

Baker Mayfield, playing through a slew of injuries, finished 15 of 29 for 176 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions.

Cleveland held Detroit to 245 yards of offense and forced two turnovers on interceptions from Malcolm Smith and Denzel Ward.

Detroit (0-9-1) hasn't won since Dec. 6, 2020, and gets its next chance on Thanksgiving against Chicago. The Lions saw a four-game winning streak against the Browns snapped.

Tim Boyle made his first career start in the NFL in lieu of injured Jared Goff (oblique) and struggled. Boyle finished 15 of 23 passing for just 77 yards and two interceptions. D'Andre Swift provided the bulk of the Lions' offense with 136 yards and Detroit's only touchdown on 14 carries.

Detroit got back into the game with Swift's 57-yard run through the right side to cut a two-score deficit to 13-7 with 1:55 left in the third quarter.

Mayfield's second interception, a tipped ball hauled in by A.J. Parker, set up Aldrick Rosas' 43-yard field goal and a 13-10 Lions deficit with 9:10 remaining.

The Lions got the ball back once more but elected to punt from near midfield with 2:29 remaining. The Browns, leaning on Chubb, ran out the clock.

The Browns had the game well in hand at the half with a 13-0 lead and a defense that had handcuffed the Lions. Detroit had just 80 yards of offense, on 24 plays, in the first half.

After Mayfield and Boyle traded poorly thrown interceptions, the Browns took control with an 84-yard scoring drive capped by Jarvis Landry's 16-yard touchdown run out of a wildcat formation on the first play of the second quarter.

Cleveland made it 13-0 with 1:10 left in the half when Mayfield flipped a 5-yard touchdown to Chubb. The PAT was blocked, however. Browns kicker Chase McLaughlin also missed a 46-yard field goal.

--Field Level Media

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.