Browns smack the Pack

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis.

Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden showed improvement in his second preseason game, avoiding major mistakes as the Cleveland Browns beat the Green Bay Packers 35-10 at Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

Aaron Rodgers looked sharp in limited action, but backup quarterback Graham Harrell was shaky for the Packers.

Weeden, a first-round pick out of Oklahoma State who already has been chosen the Browns’ starter, played the first half and was 12 of 20 for 118 yards.

Browns kicker Phil Dawson hit three field goals, including a pair from 50-plus yards. Dawson missed a 56-yarder just before halftime for Cleveland.

Rodgers threw a 20-yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson on his first series for the Packers.

“Just taking a shot in a one-on-one matchup,” Rodgers said, in comments distributed by the team at halftime. “Jordy consistently wins those. A good corner, the throw was a little bit lower than I wanted, but Jordy made an incredible catch.”

The reigning NFL MVP stayed in for two more series, completing 6 of 11 passes for 59 yards. He also had a 21-yard scramble and took a hard hit on another rushing attempt.

Harrell took over early in the second quarter and struggled, completing 12 of 24 passes for 100 yards with two interceptions. Harrell, the Packers’ No. 3 quarterback last year, is trying to prove he can become Rodgers’ primary backup after Matt Flynn signed with Seattle in the offseason.

He threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by safety David Sims in the third quarter, although a receiver fell down on the play as Harrell threw the ball under pressure. With Sims’ touchdown, the Browns led 23-7. Harrell’s other interception was on a desperation attempt at the end of the first half.

Former Packers running back Brandon Jackson added a 1-yard TD in the third period, putting the Browns up 30-7.