ATLANTA — A remarkable five-minute stretch saw Cleveland quarterback Brian Hoyer go from the biggest of goats to a Cleveland Browns’ hero.

Hoyer threw two ugly interceptions in the final five minutes to give up the lead, but shook it off and led a last-minute drive to set up Billy Cundiff’s game-winning field goal in a thrilling 26-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

Leading by two with five minutes to play, Cleveland was inside the Atlanta 6-yard line, looking to put the game away. But on first-and-goal, Hoyer threw a pass that was intercepted by Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant.

The Falcons were unable to capitalize on that interception and were forced to punt. But the Browns’ quarterback gave the ball right back to Atlanta on the next possession, with safety Dezmen Southward picking off Hoyer near midfield.

This time the Falcons took advantage, driving to the Browns’ 36 to set up a Matt Bryant 53-yard field goal that put Atlanta ahead 24-23 with 44 seconds to play.

Starting at the Browns’ 20-yard line, Hoyer completed four of five passes and marched the Browns to the Falcons’ 19-yard line to put Cundiff in position to win the game. Cundiff kicked the game-winning 37-yard field goal on the game’s final play.

Hoyer finished 23-for-40 for 322 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions, while Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was 27-for-43 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.

The game marked the return of Cleveland’s top offensive weapon in wide receiver Josh Gordon. After leading the NFL in receiving last season, Gordon missed the first 10 games this year, while serving a suspension for failed drug test. Gordon caught eight passes for 120 yards.

Cleveland running back Isaiah Crowell rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns, including a 24-yard run that put the Browns up 23-14 late in the third quarter.

The Falcons answered with 14-play, 80-yard drive and cut the Browns’ lead to 23-21 on a short touchdown run by running back Steven Jackson with 9:31 to play.

The Browns (7-4) began the day in the thick of the competitive AFC North. Cleveland has only two division games remaining, against Cincinnati (Dec. 14) and at Baltimore (Dec. 28).

Despite a losing record, the Falcons (4-7) began Sunday in first place in the downtrodden NFC South. They begin a difficult stretch in their schedule, though, with games against Arizona, Green Bay and Pittsburgh up next.

The Browns had multiple opportunities to take control in the first half, but had to settle for field goals on two drives that began in Falcons’ territory. Hoyer also threw an interception to end a scoring threat late in the second quarter. Atlanta capitalized with a seven-play scoring drive, capped by a short touchdown pass from Ryan to running back Jacquizz Rodgers that put the Falcons ahead 14-13 at halftime.

Hoyer struggled with his accuracy in the first half, completing 11 of 22 attempts and missing several open receivers. He couldn’t connect with Gordon on two potential big plays.

Ryan turned it over twice, an interception and a fumble, in the first half, but also threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Julio Jones to open the scoring.

Notes: Cleveland LB Karlos Dansby (sprained knee) was inactive, but outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard was active. Sheard injured his foot last week against Houston, and some feared that he would be lost for the season. … Atlanta CB Robert McClain started in place of Robert Alford. … The Falcons’ defense entered the game allowing a league-high 403.4 yards. … Cleveland DB Tashaun Gipson injured his knee on a collision with a teammate in the fourth quarter and had to be carted off the field. … Falcons DT Corey Peters and defensive line coach Bryan Cox got into a heated exchange on the sidelines during the first half. … 70,046 tickets were distributed, according to the Falcons.