Alone on top of North

Weeden returns, rallies Browns to victory over Bills

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Quarterback Brandon Weeden replaced injured starter Brian Hoyer and rallied the Cleveland Browns to a 37-24 win Thursday night over the Buffalo Bills, who also lost starting rookie quarterback EJ Manuel with a knee injury.

Weeden threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Josh Gordon in the third quarter as the Browns (3-2) won their third straight and moved into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

It was Weeden’s first TD pass since Week 1. He missed Cleveland’s last two games with a sprained thumb.

Safety T.J. Ward intercepted rookie Jeff Tuel’s pass and returned it 44 yards for a TD with 1:44 left to end any comeback hopes for the Bills (2-3).

Hoyer sustained a potentially serious right knee injury on a scramble in the first quarter, and Manuel was forced out after taking a helmet to his right knee on a run in the third.

Neither returned and their injuries could impact both teams’ seasons.

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski told NFL Network he feared Hoyer has torn ligaments.

C.J. Spiller scored on a 54-yard TD run and Fred Jackson had his second 1-yard score as the Bills, who gave up 17 straight points and trailed 17-10 at half, took a 24-17 lead in the third.