CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns lead the Bengals 14-12 at the half.

1. The Browns defense has been turning turnovers into points. In the first quarter, the Bengals were driving for a score. Joe Burrow dropped back to pass, and his throw was tipped by Cleveland’s Shelby Harris. Linebacker Devin Bush grabbed the deflection and ran it back 97 yards for a TD. Myles Garrett threw a key block.

2. Harris is a tremendous example of how a defensive lineman can impact a game by keeping his arms up when rushing the passer. Harris has done that several times over the years. The Bengals then missed another extra point, just a bad kick.

3. As for keeping your hands up while rushing, give Alex Wright credit. He did just that as he blocked a Cincinnati extra point.

4. The Browns’ second TD came when Cincinnati’s Noah Fant caught a pass. It was knocked free by Cleveland’s Jerome Baker. Sam Webb picked up the loose ball and ran it back 47 yards for a TD.

5. Dumb is dumb: The Browns defense was flagged TWICE for excessive celebrations after scoring those two TDs. Once is bad enough, but TWICE?

6. Those penalties are a big deal. They added 15 yards to the extra point attempts. That forced Andre Szmyt to kick what amounted to 47 yards for each extra point. The rookie drilled both.

7. After the opening day 16-14 loss to the Bengals when Szmyt missed a 36-yard field goal and an extra point, his job was on the line. The Browns gave him another chance and he’s become one of the better kickers in the NFL.

8. When Bush picked off that Joe Burrow pass, it ended a streak of Cincinnati’s 12 consecutive trips into the red zone scoring a TD. The Bengals came into the game with a 5-2 record with Burrow starting and 1-8 when he was hurt.

9. Shedeur Sanders had a miserable first half. He dropped back, tried to run and then fumbled. That set up a Bengals TD. Sanders was sacked three times. Twice, he held the ball too long and set up the sacks. He also threw two passes that were nearly intercepted. He was 5 for 10 passing for 48 yards.

10. The Bengals scored a TD on a pass from Burrow to Tee Higgins late in the first half.

11. Myles Garrett was not able to get a sack in the first half. He needs one more to set the NFL single-season record.