Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Johnny Manziel made his much-anticipated debut for Cleveland, but it was the Detroit Lions grabbing a 13-12 victory over the Browns in the preseason opener for the two squads.
Manziel, the 22nd pick of this year's draft, took over under center in the second quarter and played the entire third, going 7-for-11 for 63 yards while adding 27 yards on six carries and leading the team on one scoring drive.
Cleveland, coming off a 4-12 season that saw the team finish with double-digit losses for the sixth season in a row, saw the debut of new head coach Mike Pettine.
Detroit also has a new coach in Jim Caldwell, who took over the reins after the Lions fired Jim Schwartz following a 7-9 season that saw the team lose six of their final seven games.
The Lions had fumbled twice in the fourth quarter in Cleveland territory, but their final possession of the game saw Cleveland take three holding calls, and Kellen Moore hit Corey Fuller in the left corner of the end zone for a 13-12 lead with 1:05 to play.
Detroit then sealed the win with an interception of Tyler Thigpen to seal the victory.
Detroit starting quarterback Matthew Stafford played the opening series and led the team to a 37-yard field goal from Nate Freese.
Brian Hoyer started under center for Cleveland and went 6-for-14 for 92 yards, driving the team to two field goals, a 43-yarder from Billy Cundiff in the first period, and a 26-yarder by Cundiff in the second.
Freese made a 32-yard field goal late in the first half to send the game into the break tied, while Cundiff made a 41-yarder on Cleveland's opening possession of the second half with Manziel under center. Cundiff hit another 41-yard kick with under seven minutes to play for a 12-6 lead.
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