Brian Hoyer throws 2 TD passes as Browns move to 5-3 with 22-17 win over Buccaneers

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer throws a touchdown pass to running back Terrance West during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) (The Associated Press)

Cleveland Browns tight end Jim Dray makes a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Major Wright in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) (The Associated Press)

CLEVELAND – Brian Hoyer threw a 34-yard TD pass to Taylor Gabriel with 8:59 remaining, helping the Cleveland Browns complete a favorable stretch of their schedule with a 22-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Cleveland was trailing 17-16 when Hoyer completed his second TD pass. Hoyer finished 21 of 34 for 300 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. He improved to 8-3 as Cleveland's starter.

The Browns (5-3) have their best record at the midway point since 2007 when they won 10 and barely missed the playoffs. Cleveland went 2-1 the past three weeks against Jacksonville, Oakland and Tampa Bay, who entered a combined 2-19.

Tampa Bay's Mike Glennon threw a pair of 24-yard TDs to rookie Mike Evans for the Buccaneers (1-7), who have lost four in a row and five this season by six points or less.

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