CLEVELAND -- A meaningless exhibition win for the Browns turned troubling, and then deeply serious.
From good to bad to worse.
Rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo sustained a bruised lung, running back Dion Lewis broke his left leg and the Browns came away battered in a 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.
Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick in April's NFL draft, will be hospitalized in the Cleveland Clinic overnight with his injury. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski did not know how Mingo got hurt and didn't provide any other details of the young linebacker's condition (see full recap).
Despite win, Ravens starters struggle
BALTIMORE -- Matt Ryan looked sharp, Steven Jackson ran the ball well and the Atlanta defense was exceptional in the first half.
That, more than the final score, is what the Falcons will take out of their 27-23 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.
Ryan threw for 97 yards and a touchdown in four series, and the Falcons led by 16 before the Ravens' backups rallied with a 20-point fourth quarter (see full recap).
Bears' defense compensates for offense
CHICAGO -- Jay Cutler targeted Brandon Marshall and no one else. He zipped a pass into double coverage, only to get intercepted.
The new and supposedly improved offense stagnated and the defense made up for it.
Same old Chicago Bears? On the surface, it sure seemed like it.
Cutler looked shaky again and the defense came through, harassing Philip Rivers early on and setting the tone for the Bears in a 33-28 preseason victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night (see full recap).
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