CLEVELAND -- Well, that didn't take long.
After a penalty on the kick return gave the Cleveland Browns the ball at their own 11-yard line to start their 2019 preseason opener, Baker Mayfield engineered a de facto two-minute drill that doubled as a reminder why so many are optimistic about his team's outlook this season.
Completing 5 of his 6 pass attempts for 77 yards, the former No. 1 pick spearheaded what was ultimately a 7-play, 89-yard drive, which ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashard Higgins.
Mayfield's scoring pass to Higgins continued a connection built between the duo a year ago, when the wideout caught 39 passes for 572 yards and 4 touchdowns. Even on a receiving corps that also includes talented speedsters like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway, Higgins has secured his place as one of Mayfield's favorite targets -- as evidenced by his opening drive touchdown catch on Thursday night.
With kicker Greg Joseph connecting on his extra-point attempt, the Browns took a 7-0 lead in a game where it remains unclear how many of -- and for how long -- Cleveland's key players will play. Beckham, Landry and running back Kareem Hunt are each expected to sit out the exhibition, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson, and so are defensive end Olivier Vernon and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.
Mayfield, meanwhile, appears done for the day after his opening drive touchdown throw. Even so, he leaves the game having left an impressive mark.
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