Josh Gordon, Robert Griffin III make dynamic duo for Browns against Bucs

Ron Clements

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Josh Gordon, Robert Griffin III make dynamic duo for Browns against Bucs image

Josh Gordon is back in the NFL, and Robert Griffin III couldn't be happier.

Griffin and Gordon connected on passes of 43 and 44 yards Friday night, the former for a touchdown, in Cleveland's 30-13 loss at Tampa Bay.

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Both of Gordon's receptions victimized Buccaneers cornerback Brent Grimes, who simply couldn't cover the 6-3 receiver. Gordon toasted Grimes early for the 44-yard gain up the sideline.

He later out-muscled Grimes in the end zone to haul in the 43-yard touchdown.

"I've played with Josh before and it's just good to see him out there making plays," Griffin said of his old Baylor teammate, who was suspended the entire 2015 season and will have to sit out the first four games this season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. "Getting an opportunity to get back into the league and I really look forward to him making the most of that."

As for Griffin, he was sacked fives times, but did manage to throw for 119 yards on 8-of-14 passing. 

Griffin's counterpart, Tampa Bay's second-year quarterback Jameis Winston, had the best night of any quarterback. The top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft was 16 of 25 for 259 yards and two scores. 

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Two MVP quarterbacks made their preseason debuts on Friday. New England's Tom Brady was only 3 of 9 for 76 yards, but did throw a pretty 33-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hogan in the Patriots' 19-17 win over the Panthers. 

Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers was 6 of 9 for 60 yards with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb in two series to begin the 21-10 victory at San Francisco. 

As for the reigning NFL MVP, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton struggled in Carolina's preseason home opener. He badly missed receivers at times, was the victim of drops by tight end Ed Dickson and receiver Ted Ginn Jr., and finished 13 of 29 for 100 yards and two interceptions. 

Injury report

— The Redskins had a pair of players leave Friday's game against the Bills. Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan left in the first quarter with a groin injury and did not return. Rookie running back Keith Marshall, a seventh-round pick from Georgia, was taken to the locker room to get X-rays on his left elbow after getting dropped by Brandon Spikes on a 3-yard run. The X-rays were negative, but Marshall was held out of the game with a sprained elbow. Kerrigan and Marshall will both receive MRIs on Saturday. 

— Panthers punter Mike Scifres was forced out of Friday's game with a knee injury after getting hit by Patriots defensive back Brandon King on his first attempt. Kasey Redfern assumed punting duties for the remainder of the game. 

— The Panthers had several other players leave with injuries, starting with running back Fozzy Whittaker, who was favoring his left shoulder. The Panthers also saw offensive linemen Andrew Norwell (ankle) and Trai Turner (shoulder) ruled out in the second half. Rookie linebacker linebacker Jeremy Cash was evaluated for a concussion.

— Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert suffered a concussion against the Buccaneers. Browns receiver Marlon Moore also left the game with a hip injury and did not return. 

— The Steelers saw both defensive end Cam Heyward (right ankle) and safety Jacob Hagen (right leg) leave Friday's game against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of the 27-14 victory. 

— Niners receiver Bryce Ellington left Friday's game against the Packers with a hamstring injury and did not return. 

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Impact rookies

Roberto Aguayo finally turned in a performance worthy of a second-round pick. The Tampa Bay kicker was good on all six of hs kicks Friday night, booting three field goals — including a 48-yarder — and three extra points in Tampa's 30-13 win over the Browns. 

With Matt Jones already out with a shoulder injury and Marshall going down early, Redskins rookie running back Robert Kelley, undrafted out of Tulane, had a heavy workload against the Bills. Kelley ran for 51 yards on 12 carries in the 21-16 win. 

Bills running back Jonathan Williams, a fifth-round pick from Arkansas, ran for 42 yards on 11 carries, though most of those yards came on a 37-yard touchdown run. 

The Packers may have found something in Joe Callahan. The undrafted quarterback from Division III Wesley College (Del.) completed 16 of his 24 attempts for 167 yards and an 18-yard pass to second-year wideout Jared Abbrederis.

The Packers also got a big contribution from another undrafted rookie, former Troy running back Brandon Burks, who ran for 30 yards on six carries and a 19-yard touchdown run.

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Highlights

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 148 yards and two touchdowns in his preseason debut. He also juked Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan for his first touchdown toss to tight end Jesse James. 

From one Super Bowl MVP quarterback to another, Drew Brees found Willie Snead in the back of the end zone in the second quarter. Snead then made a nice, juggling catch for a 17-yard score. 

Washington receiver Pierre Garcon had a pretty toe drag to get both feet in on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins. 

NFL preseason scores Week 3

Thursday’s games

Dolphins 17, Falcons 6
Seahawks 27, Cowboys 17

Friday’s games 

Patriots 19, Panthers 17
Redskins 21, Bills 16
Steelers 27, Saints 14
Buccaneers 30, Browns 13
Packers 21, 49ers 10

Saturday’s games (All times Eastern)

Chiefs at Bears, 1 p.m.
Lions at Ravens, 7 p.m.
Eagles at Colts, 7 p.m.
Giants vs. Jets, 7:30 p.m.
Titans at Raiders, 8 p.m.
Rams at Broncos, 9 p.m.

Sunday's games

Chargers at Vikings, 1 p.m.
Cardinals at Texans, 4:25 p.m.
Bengals at Jaguars, 8 p.m.

Ron Clements