CLEVELAND (AP) — Robert Griffin III led Cleveland’s starting offense on a short touchdown drive against Chicago’s defensive backups in a 21-7 exhibition loss to the Bears Thursday night.
Ka’Deem Carey scored on a 1-yard run in the first half, rookie Jordan Howard had a 16-yard TD run and Robbie Gould kicked three field goals as the Bears (1-3) avoided a winless preseason.
Not the Browns, who look as if they could use more time before the September 11th opener.
Isaiah Crowell had a 4-yard TD for the Browns (0-4), who played Griffin and the offensive starters for the first quarter. RG3, attempting to revive his career in Cleveland after an ugly departure from Washington, went 4 of 8 for 31 yards during his three series.
Griffin’s night might have been over after the second possession, but the Bears fumbled a punt, giving Cleveland the ball at the Chicago 18.
Griffin threw two incompletions in the end zone before Crowell — with Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas watching from the sideline — squirted in on third down to give the Browns a 7-3 lead. It took Cleveland six plays to cover the 18 yards.