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Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden has not thrown an interception in his last 99 attempts.

(Joshua Gunther, The Plain Dealer)

BEREA, Ohio -- Receiver Josh Gordon is making big plays, tight end Jordan Cameron is creating mismatches and the Browns are overcoming their fear of third down.

Many factors are adding up offensively. Yet, it's what is missing that really pleases offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

"The most important thing we've done the last two weeks is that we've not turned the ball over," he said Thursday.

Two weeks. Big deal, right? Well, the Browns have gone five years without committing a turnover in three consecutive games. The AFC North co-leaders hope to equal that mark Sunday against Detroit as they search for a fourth straight win.

It won't be easy against a rugged Lions defense tied for fourth with 11 takeaways.

"I think the biggest thing that happens on third down with Detroit (is) they create a lot of turnovers," Turner said. "You have to make sure if you don't get the first down, you're punting."

The Browns' last three-game stretch without a giveaway occurred Oct. 13-26, 2008 when coach Rob Chudzinski was offensive coordinator. Not surprisingly they went 2-1 in the span.

Turnovers have plagued the franchise since its 1999 return, committing the NFL's fourth most (435), according to the Elias Sports Bureau. They snapped a 24-game streak with at least one giveaway on Oct. 21, 2012.

But they have just seven through the first five games this season, tying them for ninth-best in the league. If the Browns continue to minimize offensive mistakes their defense and special teams are good enough to keep them in many games. They have succeeded in the past two contests in part because of their commitment to running and also converting third downs.

They ran 30 times against Cincinnati and 32 times against Buffalo, efforts that no longer find them among the league's bottom five in rush attempts. Those teams are a combined 5-18.

"I think being able to run the ball the way we have over the last two games particularly ... makes it a lot easier for the offensive line up front and for the quarterback," Turner said.

The Browns also have improved on their third-down conversions -- 16-of-35 for 45.7 percent -- in the last two games after starting the season 11-of-44. With the season-ending knee injury to Brian Hoyer, quarterback Brandon Weeden regains the task of moving the offense without making the big mistake that hurt him last year.

In mentioning the two turnover-free games, Turner was quick to remind reporters Weeden had a hand in the streak. "Obviously Brandon is a part of that," the coordinator said. "He played (64) plays (against the Bills) and we had no turnovers while he was in."

Weeden has not thrown an interception in his last 99 attempts, but he's been sacked 16 times – third most in the league – often holding the ball too long. He was strip-sacked against Buffalo, but left tackle Joe Thomas alertly recovered.

If Weeden and the offense can extend the turnover-free streak against the Lions on Sunday they have a decent shot at reaching another mini-milestone – two games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2007 season.