BEREA, Ohio -- For the first time in nearly a month, there is no mystery about which quarterback will start for the Cleveland Browns in their next game.
The job belongs to rookie DeShone Kizer when the Browns return from their bye to meet the Lions in Detroit on Nov. 12.
The Browns lost to the Minnesota Vikings in London, 33-16, but they at least head into their bye encouraged because Kizer made no turnovers after throwing 11 interceptions and losing two fumbles in a little more than what amounted to 24 quarters before the Minnesota game.
Kizer was benched at halftime during the game with the Jets, did not play against Houston and was benched in the third quarter of the 12-9 loss to Tennessee.
"A small win is a small win," Kizer said. "That was an opportunity for me to prove to my teammates that I'm going to keep the ball out of harm's way, and that's what I was able to do.
"I'm going to build on that and find some consistency in that quarterback room, let my teammates know what they're going to get out of me."
Kizer completed 18 of 24 passes for 179 yards against the Vikings. They are not stellar numbers, but his 68.1 passer rating was his highest since posting an 85.7 rating in the season opener against the Steelers. More important, he showed he could manage the clock when he put together an 82-yard, eight-play drive late in the second quarter, finishing off on a 1-yard run with 40 seconds left in the half.
"I thought (Sunday) was a better version of DeShone," head coach Hue Jackson said Monday. "He played better as far as taking care of the football. There were some plays he'd like back, but he put the team in a position early in the first half to have the lead we had. We have to find a way to finish it in the second half."
Jackson is trying to balance two goals. He is trying to win games and develop Kizer. It will be easier for him to do the latter if Kizer continues to protect the ball. Winning could be a by-product.
--The Browns are going to use the bye to try out kickers. Rookie Zane Gonzalez hit the right upright on an extra-point attempt against the Vikings and missed a field goal wide left. He missed two field-goal tries against the Jets in the fifth game.
"There's no question," head coach Hue Jackson said. "I mean, we've got to do something that way just to figure that out because that's unfortunate."
--Another decision facing Jackson during the bye is deciding what to do about wide receiver Kenny Britt. Britt was healthy and in uniform, but Jackson decided not to play him against the Vikings.
In the days before the Browns boarded their charter jet for London, Britt, recalling a game he played there with the Rams last year, said he hated everything about the London trip.
Jackson said the decision to not play Britt was not disciplinary.
"No issues that way at all," Jackson said. "I just felt like I was going to put the best version of our football team out there. That's what I felt good about, and that's what I did. There's a spot for Kenny Britt on this roster."
Britt has 10 catches this season.
NOTES: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (hamstring) was injured in the second half and had to leave the game against the Vikings. The injury might cause him "to miss some time," head coach Hue Jackson said Monday. ...
DE Myles Garrett (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol, but "I think we're in the back end of that," head coach Hue Jackson said. ... RB Duke Johnson (concussion) left the game late in the fourth quarter, but was cleared. ... FS Jabrill Peppers (toe) was listed as questionable, but did not play against the Vikings. ... LT Spencer Drango, starting for injured Joe Thomas (injured reserve, left triceps), allowed one sack late in the game. Drango earned another start, head coach Hue Jackson said Monday. ... LB Joe Schobert made his first NFL interception on Minnesota's first possession to set up the Browns' first touchdown.
REPORT CARD VS. VIKINGS
--PASSING OFFENSE: C - Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer didn't throw any interceptions, which is a step in the right direction, but aside from one drive late in the second quarter, he was not very productive while passing for 179 yards. It is unfair to pin the blame all on Kizer, however. At least five passes were dropped. This has been a recurring theme and there is no reason to expect a change in the second half of the season.
--RUSHING OFFENSE: B - The Browns kept the game close until 10 minutes remained, and that allowed them to use their running game effectively. Running back Isaiah Crowell ran with more confidence than he has all season. He ran 26 yards for his first touchdown in 2017 and finished the day with 64 yards on the ground. Crowell and fellow running back Duke Johnson each had four catches totaling 64 yards. The offensive line opened holes and Crowell didn't hesitate to run through them.
--PASS DEFENSE: D-plus - The Browns took away the deep pass from Minnesota, but Vikings quarterback Case Keenum was able to find enough open receivers underneath to pass for 288 yards. A breakdown in the secondary left Vikings receiver Adam Thielen wide open in the back of the end zone for an easy 18-yard touchdown pass. Part of the problem for the Browns is starting safety Jabrill Peppers (toe) and cornerback Jason McCourty (ankle) were inactive with injuries.
--RUSH DEFENSE: B-plus - The Browns kept the two-pronged running attack of the Vikings bottled up all day. Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon ran in cleanly from the 1 on a play off left tackle, but the longest run the Browns allowed all day was 10 yards twice. A coach will settle for that any game. Run defense is by far the most improved facet of the team. Middle linebacker Joe Schobert led the way again with 11 tackles and an interception.
--SPECIAL TEAMS: D - Zane Gonzalez probably kicked himself out of a job by missing an extra point and a 35-yard field goal. Bryce Treggs replaced injured Browns punt returner Jabrill Peppers and muffed his first attempt after signaling for a fair catch. The Vikings converted the mistake into a field goal. Punter Britton Colquitt had a 44-yard net average on six punts, but that doesn't salvage a bad day on special teams.
--COACHING: B-plus - The grade might seem high for a team that lost 33-16, but defensive coordinator Gregg Williams got the most out of a unit that was missing four starters because of injury. Head coach Hue Jackson gets points for benching problematic and ineffective wide receiver Kenny Britt. Staying with DeShone Kizer as his starting quarterback could pay dividends down the road.
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