National Football League
Cleveland 31, Houston 21
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 19, 2021
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Temperature: 75°
Head Official: Brad Rogers
Attendance: 67431

Baker Mayfield threw for a touchdown and rushed for another to lead the host Cleveland Browns to a 31-21 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Mayfield completed 19 of 21 passes for 213 yards and Nick Chubb added 95 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Browns (1-1), who bounced back from a season-opening loss at Kansas City.

Tyrod Taylor completed 10 of 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown for the Texans (1-1). He also rushed for a score before leaving the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury.

The Browns took a 7-0 lead with 9:56 remaining in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Andy Janovich, but Houston responded by scoring 14 straight points.

The Texans tied the game with 5:18 left in the first on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to Phillip Lindsay. Houston grabbed a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter on a 15-yard touchdown run by Taylor.

Cleveland took over from there, first tying the game just before halftime on a 5-yard touchdown run by Mayfield.

With 7:59 left in the third quarter, Mayfield hit Demetric Felton for a 33-yard touchdown pass that gave the Browns a 21-14 lead.

Cleveland expanded it to 24-14 on a 30-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin with 4:43 remaining.

Houston fought back, cutting Cleveland's lead to 24-21 with 11:34 remaining on a 2-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Davis Mills to Brandin Cooks.

Cleveland answered, capping the scoring with a 26-yard touchdown run by Chubb.

Houston drove to the Cleveland 23-yard line in the final minutes, but Joey Slye missed a 41-yard field goal before the two-minute warning to end any chance of a comeback for Houston.

Cleveland wide receiver Jarvis Landry sustained a knee injury on the opening drive and didn't return. ESPN reported he suffered a sprained MCL and will undergo further testing.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
Rushing
Houston   Cleveland
Mark Ingram II Player Nick Chubb
14 Attempts 11
41 Yards 95
2.9 Avg Yards 8.6
0 Touchdowns 1
8 Long 26
Receiving
Houston   Cleveland
Brandin Cooks Player Demetric Felton
9 Receptions 2
78 Yards 51
8.7 Avg Yards 25.5
1 Touchdowns 1
22 Long 33
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Houston 302 82 220 3 0 1 2.0 2
Cleveland 355 156 199 4 1 1 1.0 1
Upcoming Games
  • Cleveland will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Browns have a W/L % of .000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game at home against Carolina. The Texans have a W/L % of .000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.