A promising first drive for the Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler ended in disaster.
On a first-and-10 play at the Cleveland 25-yard-line, Cutler’s pass intended for wideout Brandon Marshall was tipped by Browns safety T.J. Ward and intercepted by safety Tashaun Gipson in the end zone.
Marshall, who lined up in the slot, was well-covered by Ward, and Gipson returned the tipped pass 35 yards to the Cleveland 27.
Cutler had completed his first three passes on the drive for 43 yards.
The Browns capitalized on the takeaway, with Billy Cundiff hitting a 35-yard field goal to give Cleveland a 3-0 lead with 7:26 left in the first quarter. Cleveland marched 56 yards in seven plays, with a 44-yard reception by Greg Little moving Cleveland well into Chicago territory.