CLEVELAND -- Johnny Manziel to Travis Benjamin is catching on for the Cleveland Browns.
Manziel and Benjamin connected for two long touchdowns, the last a much-needed 50-yarder with 2 minutes, 52 seconds left, as the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans 28-14 on Sunday.
Manziel completed just 8 of 15 passes for 172 yards, but two were for touchdowns -- 60 yards on the Browns' second offensive play and the game-sealer for 50. On the last score, Manziel spun away from Brian Orakpo, who had rushed clean off the outside. The second-year QB moved left, found Benjamin and hit him for the touchdown.
"It was vintage Manziel," Browns coach Mike Pettine said. "We want him to play within structure and make a read, but when a play breaks down, that is what he brings: the ability to escape."
Added Manziel: "I knew when Orakpo said, 'Oh s---,' we were going to have a big play."
The first score was exactly what Manziel and the team needed. The Browns hoped for a coverage that left the deep middle open, and they got it. Benjamin told Manziel on the sideline if they saw man coverage without a safety to "just launch it and I'll go get it." He did, which enabled Manziel to move quickly past a second half in the season opener in which he turned over the ball three times in a loss to the Jets.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Manziel has thrown three passes longer than 30 yards in his brief time with the Browns -- all going for touchdowns to Benjamin.
Benjamin also scored on a punt return of 78 yards. He has four of the Browns' five touchdowns this season.