NFL Week 7 Game Recap: Cleveland Browns 39, Indianapolis Colts 38

The Cleveland Browns outlasted the Indianapolis Colts, 39-38, in a wild Week 7 win on the road.

The Browns took the lead on the third play from scrimmage, with Jerome Ford breaking off a 69-yard score, but the Colts replied with a touchdown on the opening drive of their own, with Josh Downs scoring on a 59-yard catch.

The Colts then took the lead on a 17-yard touchdown run by Gardner Minshew, before the Browns tied it up on a touchdown run by Kareem Hunt after Myles Garrett had forced a fumble on Minshew. A blocked field goal led to a 44-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins to make it 17-14 before Minshew put the Colts back on top 21-17 with his second rushing touchdown of the day.

The Myles Garrett show continued late in the first half, though, with a second sack and forced fumble allowing Tony Fields II to fall on the ball for a touchdown. A 54-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins made it 27-21 at the half.

Matt Gay’s 27-yard field goal gave the Colts a 31-30 lead early in the fourth quarter after a Browns fumble provided Indianapolis with a short field, but Hopkins snatched it back for the Browns with a 58-yard kick.

The Colts came right back, with Minshew hitting wide receiver Michael Pittman for a 75-yard touchdown. The final twist was Kareem Hunt scoring the game-winning touchdown from one yard out.

Offensive spotlight: Deshaun Watson struggled early, going 1-of-5 for five yards and an interception before leaving the game with an injury. P.J. Walker replaced him, finishing 15-of-32 for 178 yards with an interception of his own.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor got going again, rushing 18 times for 75 yards and a touchdown and picking up another 45 yards on three receptions. Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew went 15-of-23 for 305 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He made one big-time throw and three turnover-worthy plays, pending review, and also added a pair of scores on the ground.

Defensive spotlight: Myles Garrett had himself a game, racking up a pair of forced fumbles on sacks and a blocked field goal in the first half alone. When it looked like the game was in danger of getting away from the Browns, Garrett brought them right back in a way that few defensive players can. It was Za'Darius Smith who made the play at the end of the game, though, forcing a Minshew fumble that sealed the win.

Julian Blackmon was the star of the show for the Colts' defense, finishing the game with an interception, a pass breakup and a pair of tackles for loss. Kenny Moore II notched a sack and a pair of tackles for loss, with Dayo Odeyingbo recording the defense's other sack on the day.

Rookie spotlight: Colts wide receiver Josh Downs had a breakout performance, picking up 125 yards on five receptions — including a 59-yard score on their opening drive. Fourth-round rookie offensive tackle Blake Freeland started again this week and endured some struggles against the Browns' talented defense. Rookie cornerback JuJu Brents left the game with a quad injury after playing 18 snaps in the first half.

Dawand Jones continued to impress at right tackle for the Browns, holding up well in pass protection and putting up some nice reps as a run blocker.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving