STAFFORD.JPG

The Browns' Barkevious Mingo (51) and Craig Robertson (53) pursue Detroit quaterback Matthew Stafford in Sunday's game.

(Associated Press)

BEREA, Ohio – The racing wiener dogs at FirstEnergy Stadium got more exercise after the first half Sunday than Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin did.

The rookie was only trotted out to hold for extra points and field goals during a second half in which the Lions converted 6-of-7 third downs en route to a 31-17 win.

While the Browns are allowing the fewest yards per play (4.6) in the NFL, they continue to struggle with third-down defense.

Coach Rob Chudzinski said he and defensive coordinator Ray Horton among others reviewed all 93 third-downs attempts over the past few days in searching for ways to improve their efficiency.

The Browns rank 29th on third downs as opponents have clicked on 44.1 percent of their chances. The Lions converted a third-and-6 and a pair of third-and-7s.

“Just like anything else, it’s a combination of things, but we have a plan (for) getting better,” Chudzinski said.

The coach did not share in the specifics. He pointed to the fact the Browns had improved on third downs in wins against Cincinnati and Buffalo before regressing against Detroit.

“That’s the ups and downs of the season,” he added.

Browns’ opponents are averaging 5.2 yards on third downs, which is 12th stingiest in the league, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The club ranks seventh overall in team defense (312.5 yards).

Defensive captain D’Qwell Jackson is puzzled by their inefficiency on third downs.

"I don't know what it is,” Jackson said. “First and second down we've developed a reputation of stopping the run and we have a saying: ‘You earn the right to rush the passer, playing well on first and second down.’

“Third downs? I don't know what it's been but we have to improve in that area . . . We've been harping on it the last few weeks and if we bring that number down, I think we move up and we can create more opportunities for our offense."

Maintaining tempo: The Browns have led at halftime in all six games, but sit at 3-3.

Chudzinski said his focus is getting players to compete at the same tempo in both halves

“The thing that I feel strongly about is it’s not a matter of emotions or energy coming out the in the second half because that’s there,” he said. “It’s a matter of being able to jump back into the game at the same speed that you left it. We’ve been stressing that with our players, as well as just some things procedurally being able to get them going again physically . . .”

The Browns have outscored opponents, 78-43, before intermission and have been outscored 82-40 after it. They blew a 17-7 halftime lead against Detroit.

Chudzinski said players speak with coordinators and position coaches at halftime when adjustments can be made. He added adjustments also get made through the course of the game.

Pinkston practices: The nameplate on one of Jason Pinkston's practice jersey reads: PINKSON.

“I really didn’t need it corrected for awhile,” he said smiling.

He does now, though. Pinkston returned to practice for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in an Aug.15 preseason game against Detroit. He remains on the injured reserve/designated to return list until after the Week 8 game against Kansas City on Oct. 27.

“I’ve done a lot of lifting, a lot of offensive linemen drills in the indoor [facility],” Pinkston said. “It felt really good doing them, so I’m just trying to continue on to bring it to the practice field, hopefully just pick up where I left off.”

Johnson tears ACL: Browns receiver Charles Johnson, signed a week ago from the Green Bay Packers practice squad, has a torn knee ligament, a team spokesman said Wednesday.

Browns doctors discovered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during an introductory physical. Johnson will be placed on the non-football injury list and require surgery, team spokesman said.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder must remain on the 53-man roster for at least three weeks per NFL rules about signing players off other teams’ practice squads.

He practiced last Wednesday with the Packers, but sat out the following day.