Patriots vs. Browns live updates: Score, news, discussion from NFL preseason

For the first time this season the New England Patriots hit the road as they get set to conclude their preseason against the Cleveland Browns.

Drake Maye and the Patriots frontline players will not play again Thursday night, as the emphasis remains on health with Week 1 just under two weeks away. In total, 38 players are not in uniform which includes a handful of those already dealing with injuries.

Follow along live down below throughout preseason game No. 3.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m. ET | Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH | Broadcast information | Game day roster

The Patriots lost the coin toss putting the defense on the field first against Dillon Gabriel and the Browns reserves. A third-down defensive pass interference penalty downfield on Kindle Vildor quickly put Cleveland outside the red zone. From there, the Browns needed just four plays to find the end zone. [Patriots 0 : 7 Browns]

Tommy DeVito drew the start for the Patriots with QB coach Ashton Grant calling offensive plays. After quickly working across midfield, DeVito and Kyle Williams struck again as they connected on a 45-yard touchdown down the left sideline. [Patriots 7 : 7 Browns]

The Browns offense quickly got back to work. Rookie Gabe Jacas bit on a zone-read to allow Gabriel to pick up a third-down with his legs, before the left quarterback found a pair of chunk gains through the air over the middle — the second being a 14-yard touchdown. [Patriots 7 : 14 Browns]

New England then went three-and-out on their next possession as a third-down pass was slightly behind and dropped by Lan Larison out of the backfield. New punter Matt Haack then punted away.

Cleveland’s first play of its new drive goes 52 yards on a deep connection to wide receiver Ben Patterson. Multiple Patriots defenders wrap up Gabriel behind the line of scrimmage on third down in the red zone for a registered sack before kicker Andrew Szmyt adds three to the Browns’ column from 35 yards out. [Patriots 7 : 17 Browns]

Nearing the end of the first quarter, seventh-round rookie Behren Morton replaces DeVito at the helm of the offense. But the signal-caller’s first pass attempt of the evening bounces off the foot of tight end CJ Dippre and falls into the hands of the opposing defense.

As a result, the Browns took over at New England’s 31-yard line. And after a three-play sequence, Szmyt splits the uprights once more. [Patriots 7 : 20 Browns]

Looking for a response, Morton drove the Patriots offense into the red zone, where kicker Andy Borregales made a 26-yard field goal attempt midway through the frame. New England’s quarterback scrambled for a gain of 14 before connecting for 19 more yards with Kyle Dixon, sitting in a zone coverage soft spot, to cross midfield on the drive. [Patriots 10 : 20 Browns]

Starting its response series just past midfield in New England territory after outside linebacker Amari Gainer was flagged for roughing the passer, Gabriel found running back Ahmani Marshall in the flat, who shed a tackle to secure the score. Cornerback Charles Woods allowed two chunk conversions totaling 39 yards prior. [Patriots 10 : 27 Browns]

The Patriots, taking over with just over two minutes remaining until halftime, had Borregales drill a 33-yard field goal with seven seconds left on the clock. A defensive pass interference call that overturned a deep Morton interception set the Patriots up in Cleveland territory before the no-huddle tempo took effect. [Patriots 13 : 27 Browns]

Opening the second half, Browns defensive tackle Coziah Izzard broke into New England’s backfield, sacking Morton on a first-down snap. The Patriots were forced to punt after the setback, but seventh-round rookie Quintayvious Hutchins brought down the scrambling returner at the two-yard line after he attempted to create extra yardage.

As Taylen Green replaced Gabriel on Cleveland’s following drive, his offense couldn’t overcome the poor field positioning, going three-and-out.

Despite New England quickly regaining possession, a three-and-out of its own sent the ball right back to the opposition. Recently signed punter Matt Haack delivered a 63-yard kick, pinning the Browns at their own two-yard line halfway through the third.

Nevertheless, to end the quarter-long scoring drought, Cleveland running back Davon Booth capped off a nine-minute, 98-yard scoring drive. The ball carrier broke a missed tackle by Patriots cornerback Kobee Minor, easily waltzing into the end zone for the touchdown. [Patriots 13 : 34 Browns]

The Patriots, operating in an even larger scoring deficit, followed with an offensive series that only lasted five plays. Punting from midfield, Haack’s punt sailed to the Browns’ 19-yard line for a fair catch with 12 minutes remaining.