Sports

Browns defense comes up with key turnover in 23-13 victory over winless Oakland Raiders

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Fans in the Dawg Pound pummel Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins after he scored on a 4-yard touchdown catch against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (The Associated Press)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins crosses the goal line on a 4-yard touchdown catch against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (The Associated Press)

Brian Hoyer threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Hawkins early in the fourth quarter and the Cleveland Browns avoided a second straight embarrassing loss by beating the winless Oakland Raiders 23-13 on Sunday.

Hoyer's TD to Hawkins put the Browns (4-3) ahead 16-6, shortly after Cleveland's defense came to the rescue.

Browns safety Donte Whitner forced a fumble late in the third quarter with a huge hit on Oakland running back Darren McFadden as the Raiders (0-7) were driving deep into Cleveland territory.

Cleveland lost at Jacksonville last week, giving the Jaguars their first win. According to STATS, no team in NFL history has lost consecutive games to winless teams in Week 7 or later.

It was hardly a perfect performance, but the Browns, who were held to 39 yards rushing and converted only 2 of 12 third downs, will take it.

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