The Browns' third QB job is still up for grabs after the loss to the Vikings in the preseason

Week 2 of the preseason was the battle of the replacements between the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings.

That meant backup quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley split the game between the first and second halves. Neither playmaker looked particularly outstanding in a 27-12 loss to Minnesota, but the battle for the third quarterback spot at least gained some clarity.

The first half belonged to Thompson-Robinson, who promptly led the Browns on an eight-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown on Cleveland's first possession of the game. The 2023 fifth-round pick completed three of his four passes for 40 yards on the penalty-assisted drive, capped by a one-yard run by D'Onta Foreman.

It was a refreshing start to the game considering how difficult the Browns' first preseason game was – a 23-10 loss to the Packers. It was also a statement from Thompson-Robinson, who picked up where he left off in that game, completing 14-of-18, 134 passes.

After the touchdown, Cleveland's offense, with DTR at the helm, was stuck in neutral for the next four series. But with less than two minutes left before halftime, things started to click. The second-year quarterback embarked on a beautiful two-minute offensive drive, gaining 60 yards in six plays. Suddenly, it ended with a bang after a pass intended for rookie wide receiver Jamari Thrash deflected off his hands and a diving defender and into the waiting arms of safety Lewis Cine.

It wasn't DTR's best ball, thrown just past Thrash and heading down the field to the left sideline. Nor was it the end of the half the young quarterback had hoped for. Despite the pick, he completed 11 of 14 passes for 110 yards.

Enter Tyler Huntley, who took over right after halftime. His first series got off to a solid start, taking the offense from the Browns' 35-yard line to the red zone in six plays. Then came a ill-advised interception, when he intercepted a pass intended for tight end Treyton Welch, caught by Vikings safety Dwight McGlothern and returned it to the Browns' eight-yard line.

It was the catastrophic end of a promising journey.

After a Vikings touchdown, Huntley responded with a 13-play, 55-yard run and a field goal. His final three series of the game totaled 57 yards, three of which ended in punts, and a final one ended in his second interception of the game.

Huntley had his moments, but nothing really impressive. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 135 yards and the two interceptions.

The bigger criticism of Huntley – aside from the two interceptions – was that the offense seemed to be much more in rhythm when Thompson-Robinson played quarterback than the 26-year-old. That was the case in two consecutive weeks.

Although neither quarterback has managed to really pull ahead of the other in the battle for the third quarterback position, Thompson-Robinson appears to have a slight advantage as the battle enters its final stages next week.

There are two more training camps to go before the team can play its final preseason game against the Seahawks next Saturday. This game will mark Deshaun Watson's first appearance of the preseason. Veteran backup Jameis Winston will likely follow him, meaning both DTR and Huntley will have less opportunity to get one last play at QB-3.

There's also the question of what happens to Huntley — a proven backup option in this league — if the job really does belong to Thompson-Robinson. After losing rookie QB JJ McCarthy this week, perhaps the Vikings can save a seat on their team plane and send Andrew Berry back to Berea with a third-day pick.