Harrison had his third fumble in two games in the first quarter.
The Cleveland Browns lost 35-27 to the Detroit Lions despite a strong showing from the first team offense. The Browns defense was rocked throughout the game and bailed out during the first half of the game by the first team offense, which held the ball for large chunks of time.
Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme was 20-25 for 152 yards and one touchdown pass to fullback Lawrence Vickers in helping the Browns establish a 24-14 halftime lead. Although he only averaged five yards per attempt he did connect with Joshua Cribbs on a nice 30 yard sideline pass play that the receiver made an outstanding leaping grab of over Lions safety Amari Spievey. The Browns also scored on an Eric Wright 44 yard fumble return and a Peyton Hillis one yard touchdown run.
The Browns vaunted running game never really got untracked but Hillis ran for 26 yards on seven carries while Jerome Harrison added 34 on 11 carries. Rookie wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, who has had a tough time getting going as a receiver in the preseason, had a nice end around for 26 yards and backup quarterback Seneca Wallace had a 15 yard scramble.
The Browns defense however could not keep pace as they let Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill and Aaron Brown run and pass all over them. Lions quarterback Stafford was 13-17 for 141 and a rating of 120. Backup Shaun Hill came in and torched the Browns linebackers by consistently finding tight ends like Dan Gronkowski and Tony Shreffler wide open on underneath routes that should not have been there when the Browns only rushed three.
Running back Aaron Brown ran decisively, made quick cuts, and left the Browns defenders grasping for air as he teamed with Hill to run for two touchdowns in the second half to help propel the Lions past the Browns.
Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy had two chances to lead the Browns to a tying a score late in the game but fumbled away an opportunity on one drive and threw a last chance hail mary out-of-bounds, visibly angering Coach Eric Mangini.