CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns' first drive at FirstEnergy Stadium this season was a disappointing one with Houston Texans defensive end Jacob Martin sacking Baker Mayfield on 3rd and 11 to force a three-and-out.
The Browns offense, however, wouldn't have to wait long for its next chance.
While Jamie Gillan's 37-yard punt wasn't pretty, it ultimately resulted in Houston return man Andre Roberts fumbling the ball at the Texans' own 35-yard line. The fumble was recovered by Cleveland linebacker Sione Takitaki, giving the Browns the ball back just 15 yards outside of the red zone.
It wouldn't take long for Cleveland to cash in, with Mayfield finding second-year tight end Harrison Bryant for a 29-yard gain on the Browns' first play of the new series. Following a four-yard completion to Austin Hooper and a one-yard gain by running back Nick Chubb, fullback Andy Janovich punched the ball in from the one-yard line to give Cleveland a 7-0 lead following a Chase McClaughlin extra point.
Janovich's touchdown doubled as his first carry of the season and just the third of his Browns career after being acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos prior to the 2020 campaign. Overall, the touchdown marked the fourth of Janovich's six-year career.
While he's primarily utilized as a blocker, Janovich's touchdown helped underscore the dearth of weapons that currently exist in the Cleveland offense. Last week, Chubb and running back Kareem Hunt scored a total of three touchdowns in the Browns' 33-29 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
For all the latest from Cleveland's Week 2 matchup vs. the Texans, follow our live blog.