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National Football League
Cleveland 37, Cincinnati 34
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 25, 2020
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Temperature: 48°
Head Official: Tony Corrente
Attendance: 9732

Baker Mayfield shook off a dreadful start to complete a franchise-record 21 straight passes and toss five touchdowns as the Cleveland Browns survived a big effort from Joe Burrow to beat the Bengals 37-34 on Sunday in Cincinnati.

Mayfield didn't complete a throw (0-for-5 passing) in the first quarter. But the third-year quarterback finished 22 of 28 for 297 yards, and the five touchdown passes were a career high.

Mayfield's only incompletion after the string of 21 came on a spike to stop the clock with 16 seconds left and the Bengals leading 34-31. On the next snap, Mayfield found rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones down the right sideline for a 24-yard game-winning touchdown reception with 11 seconds left.

Myles Garrett had two sacks and set a franchise record with a sack in a sixth straight game. Rookie tight end Harrison Bryant caught two touchdowns, and Kareem Hunt had 102 yards from scrimmage and a score as the Browns (5-2) picked up a season sweep over the Bengals (1-5-1).

Rookie quarterback Burrow was sensational as he completed 35 of 47 for a career-high 406 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd had 11 catches for 101 yards and a score, and fellow flankers Tee Higgins (five catches, 71 yards, one touchdown) and A.J. Green (seven, 82 yards) tormented the Browns' secondary continuously.

Burrow flipped a 3-yard touchdown to Giovani Bernard on fourth down with 1:06 remaining to move Cincinnati in front. But Mayfield had enough time to complete three passes and spike the ball before throwing the game-winner.

For a second straight game, Mayfield was picked off on his first pass of the day. Darius Phillips had the honor for the Bengals, and Cleveland wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) was injured in trying to run Phillips down after the turnover. Beckham did not return.

Burrow scored on a 1-yard sneak three plays after the takeaway for a 7-0 lead.

Garrett's strip-sack on Burrow set up a 43-yard field goal by Cody Parkey to make it 7-3 with 1:21 left in the first quarter.

Mayfield hit Bryant with a pair of touchdowns, a 3-yarder that tied it at 10 in the first half, and a 6-yarder that made the score 17-17 in the third.

Burrow capped a stellar first half by threading an 11-yard touchdown to Boyd with 15 seconds left for a 17-10 lead at the break. Burrow was 20-of-25 passing for 234 yards and the score in the first half.

The Bengals went back up 20-17 with Randy Bullock's 23-yard field goal with 2:51 left in the third.

Mayfield's 16-yard touchdown to David Njoku gave the Browns a 24-20 lead early in the fourth, but Burrow answered with a 16-yard touchdown to Higgins.

Mayfield's 18th straight completion was to a wide-open Hunt in the left flat for an 8-yard touchdown and a 31-27 Browns lead with 4:53 remaining.

--Field

Top Game Performances
Rushing
Cleveland   Cincinnati
Kareem Hunt Player Giovani Bernard
18 Attempts 13
76 Yards 37
4.2 Avg Yards 2.8
0 Touchdowns 0
15 Long 8
Receiving
Cleveland   Cincinnati
Rashard Higgins Player Tyler Boyd
6 Receptions 11
110 Yards 101
18.3 Avg Yards 9.2
0 Touchdowns 1
30 Long 16
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Cleveland 398 82 316 5 1 1 4.0 1
Cincinnati 468 81 387 4 2 1 0.0 0
Upcoming Games
  • Cincinnati will play their next game at home against Tennessee. The Bengals have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Cleveland will play their next game at home against Las Vegas. The Browns have a W/L % of .750 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.