Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.

DETROIT

Instant takeaways from Browns’ 35-17 win over the Detroit Lions …

1. Sons of August: Say goodbye to another winning Browns preseason. Hue Jackson ran his preseason record to 7-1 over the past two Augusts as the Browns whipped the Detroit Lions, 35-17. In his first preseason start – and presumably last live action for the time being – Baker Mayfield led three scoring drives in five series. Mayfield made the second-team offensive line look good with some effective shuffling in the pocket and his usual pinpoint accuracy. He finished his one-half of action with numbers that belied his effectiveness – 9 of 16 for 138 yards and no TDs, with an 84.9 rating. Rookie Lions coach Matt Patricia’s second defense was awful, allowing 70 yards rushing on five attempts to No. 4 back Matthew Dayes and 30 yards on five attempts to starter Nick Chubb. Dayes had a 42-yard TD and Chubb one from 3 yards. None of the wide receivers vying for the sixth roster spot separated from the pack. As usual, the paramount concern in the preseason healthy was avoiding serious injuries. Receiver C.J. Board left with a shoulder injury and linebacker James Burgess with an apparent concussion.

2. Flawless opening: Mayfield said during the week he wanted to set the tone for the entire team, not just the offense. Mission accomplished. Despite a false-start penalty on the first play by left tackle Desmond Harrison, Mayfield marched the offense flawlessly on the opening drive, going 80 yards in nine plays. Chubb scored the touchdown from 3 yards on a fourth-and-1 carry. Mayfield opened with a strike to tight end Devon Cajuste off play-action and rolling to his left, good for 41 yards. Mayfield avoided a sack on a later second down by shuffling out of harm’s way and throwing away the ball. He followed with a good, patient read and short toss to Da’Mari Scott to set up the short Chubb touchdown.

3. Why, why, why?: It’s never a good idea to do anything daring in a fourth preseason game because of risk of injury. So it was very curious that the Browns elected to go for a 2-point conversion after a touchdown with :28 left in the first half and the Browns ahead, 23-0. Mayfield couldn’t find his receiver on the play and was knocked hard to the ground, landing on his right shoulder, by linebacker Jonathan Freeny. Mayfield got up gingerly and Freeny was flagged for roughing-the-passer. Undaunted, the Browns went for two again. This time Mayfield handed off safely to Dontrell Hilliard for the conversion.

4. The Juice: Cajuste, the Hard Knocks protagonist, needed a big night for any chance of stealing the No. 3 tight end role away from injured Seth DeValve. He gave the coaches something to think about with two catches for 48 yards on the first series. But Cajuste was flagged for holding on the opening kickoff, and on the fourth series he had a beauty throw from Mayfield of 25 yards blasted out of his hands on a hard hit to his back by defensive back DeShawn Shead. Cajuste also had a holding penalty on a running play in the fourth quarter.

5. Hut, hut (stomach jiggle): It was a big night for another Hard Knocks favorite, O-line coach Bob Wylie. His troops dominated the first half. In his first action of the preseason, right guard Kevin Zeitler played the first series. Austin Corbett played the entire first half at left guard, securing the “most snaps played” title for preseason. The starting tackles were Desmond Harrison (left) and Greg Robinson (right). These very well could be the primary backups when the roster is cut. Shon Coleman eventually relieved Robinson in the second quarter. Coleman, who began OTAs and training camp, probably is a goner. Anyway, the Browns’ mostly-backup offensive line was the engine behind a first-half output of 13 first downs, 261 total yards, 123 yards rushing (6.2 average) and 17 points.

6. Orchard’s late surge: Nate Orchard and Carl Nassib were the starting defensive ends and it may be difficult for both to make the team. Nassib may have held an edge through camp, but Orchard had a very productive night, highlighted by a leaping interception of Matt Cassel at the line of scrimmage and a 64-yard runback for a touchdown. Orchard also had a pressure of starting quarterback Jake Rudock and a tackle-for-loss of rusher Zach Zenner. Nassib had a much quieter evening except for one foible – a false-start on a field-goal try.

7. Flag ugly: There’s always something to complain about. On this night, penalties. Again. The Browns had four penalties on special teams in the first half and seven overall. In the second half, Da'Mari Scott fumbled a Detroit punt and a holding call wiped out a long kickoff return by Dontrell Hilliard.

8. Brownie bits: This was curious: Starting linebacker Christian Kirksey lining up on the opening kickoff … This was also curious: GM John Dorsey viewed the game from the sideline with arms folded nervously across his time-worn white sweatshirt … Brogan Roback replaced Mayfield in the third quarter and produced a field goal and a touchdown on a 22-yard pass to Blake Jackson.