1. After a first quarter filled with punts, the Browns broke the scoreless tie with 10:23 remaining in the second. Baker Mayfield lobbed a 3-yard pass to David Njoku, who out-jumped Bengals safety Shawn Williams and hauled in the throw for a touchdown before executing his trade mark “Chief Slam” while Mayfield imitated the celebration behind him. Mayfield completed 6-of-7 passes on the drive, including a cross-body fourth-down conversion to Jarvis Landry a few plays before the touchdown.
2. The Browns wasted no time returning to the end zone following a three-and-out from the Bengals. Jarvis Landry took a pitch from Antonio Callaway and uncorked a 63-yard pass to Breshad Perriman on the first play of the drive. And after Nick Chubb missed scoring a touchdown by inches, Mayfield threw a 1-yard touchdown to Darren Fells on a play-action rollout.
3. The Browns sustained their momentum on their first drive of the second half when Mayfield found Rashard Higgins for a 17-yard touchdown. Higgins caught a short pass from Mayfield, outran the Bengals defense to the right and stretched the ball across the goal line as he leapt from the 4-yard line. Chubb also broke the Browns single-season rookie rushing record on that drive.
4. The Bengals scored their first touchdown with 4:56 remaining -- a 14-yarder from Jeff Driskel to tight end C.J. Uzomah on a corner route. On the previous play, the Browns’ training staff helped Denzel Ward to the injury tent after a collision with Uzomah. Ward, who missed the previous two games with a concussion, is in the league’s concussion protocol.
5. With 3:59 remaining, the Bengals blocked Britton Colquitt’s punt and took over on downs at the Browns’ 23-yard line. Three plays later, Driskel found John Ross for a 3-yard touchdown, and Cody Core for the two-point conversion to bring the Bengals within one score, 26-18.
6. The Browns crushed the Bengals’ hopes of a comeback with just over 2 minutes remaining. Mayfield hit Njoku on a short curl, and Njoku not only converted the first down, but also ran the ball all the way down to the Bengals’ 3-yard line. From there, the Browns kneeled their way to victory.
Photos: Browns face off against Bengals in last home game of 2018
The Cleveland Browns play the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 16.
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) scrambles against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens is shown before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel, top, fumbles the ball under pressure from Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns fans hold up sign before an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku celebrates after scoring a 3-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Breshad Perriman (19) catches a pass against Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Shawn Williams (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes against Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Darqueze Dennard (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Darren Fells (88) scores a 1-yard touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson (56) is late on the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns linebacker Genard Avery, top, sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a 17-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins, left, runs for a 17-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cody Core (16) is tackled by Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) celebrates a sack during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) scrambles during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
