Browns keep pace in AFC North with win over Cardinals

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Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes — one bouncing off an Arizona helmet — in his second start for Cleveland in five weeks due to a shoulder injury and the Browns held the Cardinals to just 58 yards in a 27-0 win Sunday.

It was Cleveland's first shutout since 2007.

Watson looked rusty and indecisive at times in his first full game since Sept. 24, when he sustained a strained rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 219 yards — 139 to Amari Cooper.

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But while Watson and the offense struggled to re-establish any rhythm following their time apart, the Browns (5-3) leaned on their top-ranked defense to stifle the Cardinals (1-8), who started rookie quarterback Clayton Tune.

Cleveland's defense set up both Watson TD passes with turnovers, and the Browns recorded seven sacks, with Dalvin Tomlinson getting Tune 2 1/2 times.

Watson connected with Cooper on an 11-yard scoring pass in the second quarter and hooked up with tight end David Njoku on a 5-yarder in the third.

Kareem Hunt had a 3-yard TD run and Dustin Hopkins kicked two field goals for Cleveland.

Arizona has lost six straight.

The Cardinals announced Saturday that Tune, a fifth-round pick from Houston, would start instead of activating Kyler Murray, who is close to making his return after suffering a knee injury last season.

Earlier this week, Arizona traded Joshua Dobbs, their starter in the first eight games while awaiting Murray's return.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) celebrates after scoring against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game