CLEVELAND — Raiders rookie linebacker Khalil Mack failed to get his first career sack again Sunday but succeeded again in scaring the opposing quarterback and making his presence felt. On Sunday, the rookie got some help from ends Benson Mayowa and Justin Tuck and the rest of the defense as Oakland held Cleveland to three field goals in the first three quarters.

It wasn’t enough. But this time, it was a lot closer, as the Raiders held the Browns to 39 yards rushing and to a 2-for-12 success rate on third down.

Mack “gained the respect of everybody on our team,” Cleveland quarterback Brian Hoyer said. “That guy is one of the best players we’ve gone against this year, and that’s a unanimous decision in that locker room.”

Mack finished with six tackles, two for a loss, a quarterback hit and numerous pressures.

On the other side, Mayowa did a nice job of setting the edge in his first start replacing injured LaMarr Woodley.

Tony Dejak / Associated Press

“We did a great job of limiting their run game, Benson and Khalil up front, and it created some favorable third-down situations,” said Tuck, who had the team’s only sack, his second of the season. “I thought we played pretty good on third down too.”

Twice in the first half, the Browns drove inside the Raiders’ 20-yard line but were held to field goals.

“We played aggressive, and we had the linebackers coming down and making tackles,” Mayowa said. “We played top down, and that’s what we have to do.

“We’re getting better. We just have to keep building and learn how to finish.”

Mayowa, who was claimed off waivers from the Seahawks on Aug. 31, finished with four tackles, one for a loss. But more important, he didn’t let Hoyer or the Browns’ running backs get outside of him.

Not bad for someone who was seen solely as a pass-rushing specialist when Seattle cut him.

“The coaches talked to me about that, to use my hands to set the edge, and I tried to incorporate that in my game,” he said.

The defense gave up two touchdowns late, but the Browns had to drive only 53 and 9 yards, thanks to Oakland turnovers.

“We played well, but we have to figure out a way to create the easy field position for our offense,” Tuck said. “Get some turnovers. Their defense won the matchup. They allowed fewer points and got more turnovers and more sacks.

“We have to play better.”

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.