Replay: Browns defeat Buccaneers 23-17 with clutch performances, a big break in overtime

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns avoided a winless November this afternoon when they defeated Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-17 in overtime.

The Browns entered the game at 3-7 and tied with Pittsburgh for last in the AFC North. Cleveland had not won a game since Halloween when the Browns routed the Bengals on 'Monday Night Football.' The Browns lost to Miami and Buffalo the last two weekends following a bye after the win over the Bengals.

The Buccaneers led the NFC South despite entering this weekend with a record of 5-5, a half game ahead of the Falcons (5-6). Tampa Bay was coming off its bye week, but won two straight wins heading into it. The Bucs beat the Rams in a clash of the last two Super Bowl champions before beating the Seahawks in Germany two weeks ago.

Here are updates from throughout the game in Cleveland.

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Cleveland Browns improve to 4-7 with overtime victory over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With rain falling on Cleveland's lakefront, Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis III slipped and fell while trying to cover Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper on third-and-4 from the Tampa Bay 48-yard line.

Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett saw Cooper all alone, and they connected for a 45-yard pass to the Tampa Bay 3.

Talk about catching a big break, right?

Two plays later, Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb rushed for the game-winning, 3-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left in overtime.

The Browns improved to 4-7, and the Bucs fell to 5-6.

Browns and Buccaneers go back and forth to start OT and flirt with tie

With the score tied 17-17 at the end of regulation, the Buccaneers won the coin toss and began overtime with the ball.

The Browns, though, earned a defensive stop against Brady and Co. to begin OT.

All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett drew an illegal hands to the face penalty from left tackle Donovan Smith, then hit Brady as he threw incomplete on the next snap.

The Bucs punted, but instead of taking advantage, the Browns stalled on offense without gaining a first down.

Garrett ended the next series by sacking Brady on third down, forcing the Bucs to punt. The Browns took control at their 29 with 2:45 left to play and marched for the win.

Buccaneers All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs carted off field in overtime

With 3:29 left in overtime, Bucs All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs suffered an injury and was carted off the field.

Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah landed on Wirfs.

David Njoku makes miraculous touchdown catch and Browns head to overtime with Buccaneers

On fourth-and-10, Browns tight end David Njoku made a leaping, one-handed touchdown catch on a 12-yard pass from Brissett.

Cade York then made the extra point to tie the score 17-17 with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Njoku used his left hand to haul in the pass over Bucs linebacker Devin White in the end zone.

The Bucs and Brady tried a Hail Mary in the waning seconds of regulation, but the pass fell incomplete, and the game went into overtime.

Crucial dropped pass by wide receiver Amari Cooper results in turnover on downs by Browns

Trailing 17-10, the Browns went for it on fourth-and-9 from the Tampa Bay 44-yard line, and Brissett found Cooper wide open on the right side.

But Cooper, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, dropped the pass at the Tampa Bay 26, resulting in a turnover on downs with 8:20 left in the fourth quarter.

The Browns defense registered a stop on the next series, but Cooper still allowed a golden opportunity for a huge first down to slip away.

Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. hurt in fourth quarter

On third-and-9 from the Tampa Bay 42-yard line, rookie cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. drew a pass interference penalty while covering Bucs star receiver Mike Evans.

During the same play, Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. jumped as he rushed and was slammed to the ground by Bucs offensive lineman Nick Leverett with 14:11 left in the fourth quarter. Harrison was shaken up and visited the blue medical tent on the sideline.

Harrison, though, returned to the game.

Browns trail 17-10 after Tom Brady throws touchdown pass in third quarter

After the two teams traded three-and-outs to begin the second half, Brady orchestrated a seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive for the Buccaneers.

On third-and-1, Brady quickly faked a handoff, moved to his right and delivered a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ko Kieft, who beat the coverage of Owusu-Koramoah on his way into the end zone.

Brady's second TD pass of the game enabled the Bucs to go ahead 17-10 with 7:41 left in the third quarter.

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Score between Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns tied 10-10 at halftime

Right after the Browns missed field goal, the Buccaneers made one.

On third-and-10 at the Cleveland 30 and toward the end of a 10-play, 47-yard drive, Brady completed a 6-yard pass to tight end Cameron Brate, who was wide open underneath.

The play set up fourth-and-4, and the Bucs summoned kicker Ryan Succop for a 42-yard field goal, which he made with 39 seconds left in the first half to tie the score 10-10.

Rookie running back Jerome Ford's 44-yard return on the ensuing kickoff gave the Browns a chance at a Hail Mary to end the half. But Bucs safety Mike Edwards intercepted Brissett's desperation heave in the end zone, and the score remained tied 10-10 at the break.

Cleveland Browns rookie kicker Cade York misses 39-yard field goal

The Browns had a chance to extend their lead to 13-7 late in the first half, but rookie kicker Cade York missed a 39-yard field goal.

The kick went wide left by a long way, and the Browns' advantage remained 10-7 with 3:53 left in the second quarter.

Buccaneers Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was evaluated for a concussion, but returned to the game in the second half

Buccaneers Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr. exited the game late in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Bucs announced the standout defender was being evaluated for a concussion.

However, Winfield returned to the game in the second half.

Winfield landed in concussion protocol in Week 7 and missed time as a result.

Winfield is the son of Akron football legend and Garfield High School graduate Antoine Winfield Sr., who played in the NFL for 14 seasons after a collegiate career at Ohio State.

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Cleveland Browns cornerback A.J. Green is out after being evaluated for a head injury

The Browns entered the day thin at cornerback because cornerback Greg Newsome II is out for the second consecutive game with a concussion.

Then with 12:02 left in the second quarter, the Browns announced cornerback A.J. Green was being evaluated for a head injury. In the third quarter, the Browns ruled out Green for the rest of the game.

Green had been playing nickelback for the Browns. His injury pressed Thomas Graham Jr. into the role.

Cleveland Browns settle for Cade York's 51-yard field goal after Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III nearly intercepts Jacoby Brissett pass

On third-and-8 from the Tampa Bay 33, Davis nearly intercepted a deep Brissett pass intended for receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Davis couldn't hold onto the ball and was shaken up during the play, but he returned to the action for Tampa Bay's next defensive series.

After the play, York made a 51-yard field goal to give the Browns a 10-7 advantage with 2:22 left in the first quarter.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White penalized for pushing Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett out of bounds

The third series of the game began with a scary moment for the Browns.

As Brissett scrambled for 10 yards, White pushed the quarterback in the back while he ran out of bounds. Brissett fell on the sideline, but rose to his feet, appeared to be fine and remained in the game.

White's late shove prompted the officials to penalize him for unsportsmanlike conduct and grant the Browns 15 yards.

Tom Brady and Buccaneers waste no time striking back against Browns

On their first series of the game, the Buccaneers exploited the weak run defense of the Browns, rushing for 56 yards on a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive.

On third-and-5, Brady finished the possession with a 10-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Godwin, who beat cornerback Denzel Ward to reach the goal line. The score allowed the Bucs to tie the score 7-7 with 5:11 left in the first quarter.

Cleveland Browns know how to jump out to a fast start with a good script of plays

The Browns are accustomed to beginning games with a bang on offense.

Another of coach Kevin Stefanski's early scripts proved to be successful when receiver Anthony Schwartz rushed for a 31-yard touchdown on a reverse, capping a seven-play, 78-yard march on the game's opening possession.

Brissett and Cooper delivered key downfield blocks during the play, which allowed the Browns to capture a 7-0 lead over the Bucs with 10:45 remaining in the first quarter.

What TV channel is the Browns vs Buccaneers game on?

Step aside, World Cup. The Browns and Buccaneers game will air on Fox. Kenny Albert is on play-by-play with Jonathan Vilma doing color analysis.

How to listen to Buccaneers vs Browns on the radio

Browns games air locally on the radio on 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM), ESPN 850 WKNR and WNCX (98.5 FM) with Jim Donovan (play-by-play), Nathan Zegura (color) and Jerod Cherry (sideline).

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Browns vs. Buccaneers odds, over/under

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:20 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Buccaneers -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Browns +150 (bet $100 to win $150)

• Against the spread: Buccaneers -3.5 (-102) | Browns +3.5 (-118)

• Over/Under (O/U): 42 (O: -111 | U: -109)

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Buccaneers vs Browns injury report

Buccaneers

• RB Leonard Fournette (hip) doubtful

• WR Russell Gage Jr. (hamstring) out

• OG Luke Goedeke (foot) out

• NT Vita Vea (foot) questionable

Buccaneers injury news:Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (hip) out against Browns

Browns

• CB Greg Newsome II (concussion) out

AFC North standings

• Ravens 7-3

• Bengals 6-4

• Browns 3-7

• Steelers 3-7

All records are entering Sunday's games

NFC South standings

• Buccaneers 5-5

• Falcons 5-6

• Saints 4-7

• Panthers 3-8

All records are entering Sunday's games

Cleveland Browns game schedule:

Here is the remainder of Cleveland's schedule after today:

• Week 13 - at Houston Texans

• Week 14 - at Cincinnati Bengals

• Week 15 - vs Baltimore Ravens

• Week 16 - vs New Orleans Saints

• Week 17 - at Washington Commanders

• Week 18 - at Pittsburgh Steelers

What is Tom Brady's record vs the Browns?

This will be the ninth time all-time great quarterback Tom Brady has played against the Browns. In the previous eight meetings, Brady’s teams are 7-1 against Cleveland. Brady first played the Browns in 2001. Most recently he played the Browns in 2019. The only time the Browns have beaten Brady was Week 9 of the 2010 season. The Browns won 34-14 thanks to running back Peyton Hillis rushing for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

When can Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson return?

The Browns can officially have their $230 million signal caller start in Week 13, ironically enough, against his former team the Houston Texans.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns score Tampa Bay Buccaneers live updates