MINNEAPOLIS — It wasn't always pretty. But the Cleveland Browns still managed to enter halftime of their Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings with a lead.
After falling behind 7-0 on the opening drive of the game, the Browns failed to score points on either of their first two offensive drives. The third time, however, proved to be the charm for Cleveland, with running back Kareem Hunt capping an 18-play, 64-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown to give the Browns their first points of the game with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter.
While it appeared that Cleveland would tie the game with the touchdown, former Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson committed a penalty for the Vikings, which gave the Browns the ball at the 1-yard line for the extra point. Always aggressive, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski opted to attempt a 2-point conversion, with quarterback Baker Mayfield finding fullback Andy Janovich in the end zone to give the Browns an 8-7 lead.
As it turns out, the Browns' offense wasn't done before halftime with a Vikings three-and-out giving Cleveland the ball back with 45 seconds remaining before halftime. Despite facing a third and 20 from their own 26-yard line, the Browns managed to get into field goal range thanks to a 33-yard run by Hunt and an 11-yard Rashard Higgins reception. From there, kicker Chase McLaughlin converted on a 48-yard field goal to give Cleveland an 11-7 lead heading into halftime.
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