Vikings blow late-game lead for 2nd straight week, lose to the Browns
By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Pro Football Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Jordan Cameron caught three touchdown passes, including the go-ahead grab in the back of the end zone with 51 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns kept the Minnesota Vikings winless with a 31-27 victory Sunday.
Third-stringer Brian Hoyer threw for three scores for the Browns (1-2), the latest team to torch Minnesota's depleted secondary. He overcame three interceptions to pass for 321 yards, going 30 for 54. Josh Gordon had 10 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown in his season debut, and Cameron had six receptions for 66 yards.
Christian Ponder ran for two touchdowns for the Vikings (0-3), but he threw an interception, lost a fumble and took his sixth sack on the final play of the game.
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Referee Bill Leavy mistakenly penalized the Minnesota Vikings after coach Leslie Frazier tried to challenge a ruling on a muffed punt in the second quarter of Sunday's game against Cleveland.
When Browns punt returner Travis Benjamin muffed the punt, Vikings linebacker Larry Dean scooped the ball up and headed to the end zone. The officials correctly ruled that the Vikings could not advance a muffed punt and awarded Minnesota the ball at the Cleveland 26.
Frazier threw the red flag to challenge. But NFL rules stipulate that changes of possession can only be reviewed from the booth. Leavy then issued a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
But a rule change this offseason says the Vikings should have been charged a timeout and not penalized the yardage.
