Cleveland Browns' play-calling the star in 17-7 halftime lead over New England Patriots: Tony's take

Was that the fumblerooski that Chansi Stuckey scored on from 11 yards? Not exactly, but it had that look as Eric Mangini's tricks continue. A big Abe Elam strip and recovery at the Browns' 3 keeps margin intact.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerRunning back Peyton Hillis scores on a 2-yard run in the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

• Browns squander prime field position with three-and-out and punt from Patriots' 43-yard line.

• On first down, Ahtyba Rubin unloads on Tom Brady for his first NFL sack. Rubin and Shaun Rogers were the only linemen on the unusual first-down formation.

• Brady comes right back with completions of 22 yards to Rob Gronkowski, 26 yards on a screen to Danny Woodhead and then 22 yards to Sammy Morris after a play-fake on fourth down. From the 2, Brady's pass deflects off Gronkowski and is caught by a leaping Aaron Hernandez just in front of the back line in end zone. That's a big-time Brady TD drive after that Rubin sack.

• Josh Cribbs runs for 1 yard out of the wildcat.

• Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi picks another Colt McCoy pass off his shoetops for a first down. Massaquoi is coming up big.

• McCoy nice play-fake pass on the money to tight end Benjamin Watson for 24 yards to Pats' 23. McCoy had time to read the Sunday Plain Dealer sports section.

• McCoy eludes trouble, and fires sidearm to Josh Cribbs on the run to the 11 for a first down.

• Here's another surprise play: Out of the wildcat, Cribbs takes the direct snap and hands off discreetly to Chansi Stuckey, who runs around left end and reaches out for the pylon and touchdown. Unbelievable plays. 17-7, Browns.

• Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski is questionable with thigh injury after last kickoff. Punter Zoltan Mesko and receiver Wes Welker are practicing kickoffs on the sideline.

• There goes Brady, operating on Browns' defense like a Cleveland Clinic surgeon again. He's got the Pats at the Browns' 9 with 30 seconds left.

• Abe Elam strips Gronkowski after a catch at the Browns' 3 and recovers. Huge, huge play keeps Browns in command.