EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – So much for the Browns’ lead.
After a promising first quarter, the Browns fell apart in the second and trail the New York Giants 27-17 at halftime.
The second quarter started fine for Cleveland with a Phil Dawson field goal for a 17-7 lead. The Giants answered with a field goal, but the Browns were driving again.
Then the game changed. Probably for good.
On third-and-1 from the New York 25-yard line, quarterback Brandon Weeden looked for receiver Jordan Norwood on a quick out. It wasn’t open, so Weeden looked elsewhere, then threw high and behind rookie receiver Josh Gordon.
Safety Stevie Brown intercepted it and returned it 46 yards. The Giants scored a touchdown two plays later.
Things only got worse for the Browns.
Joshua Cribbs was stripped from behind on a kickoff return and Brown recovered. The Giants needed five plays for a touchdown this time, as a wide-open Victor Cruz caught his second touchdown of the game.
The 14-0 Browns lead less than five minutes into the game had become a 24-17 Giants advantage.
The Giants made it 27-17 with a 40-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal on the final play. Cleveland cornerback Buster Skrine finished his terrible half with a pass interference penalty that moved the Giants into field-goal range with four seconds left.
Weeden finished the half 8-for-13 for 161 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Running back Trent Richardson rushed 13 times for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning was 15-for-22 for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
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