Deshaun Watson did a lot of scrambling and running with the ball, and it wasn't working early in the game. (Cleveland Browns)
Browns avoid 10th loss with 24-10 win against Washington
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
LANDOVER, MD
Instant takeaways from Browns’ 24-10 win over Washington Commanders …
1. Better late than never: The offensive fireworks hoped for on a 60-degree day never materialized, but at least Deshaun Watson outplayed Carson Wentz. Watson shook off a terrible first half with three touchdown drives in the second half, enabling the Browns to ruin the season for the Washington Commanders. Watson connected twice with Amari Cooper and once with Donovan Peoples-Jones to erase a 7-3 halftime deficit and win going away, 24-10. The win kept the Browns under the stigmatic double-digit loss record at 7-9. The Commanders were eliminated from the NFC playoff field at 7-8-1 as the bold gamble to start Wentz ahead of fan favorite Taylor Heinicke blew up in the face of Washington coach Ron Rivera. Wentz tossed three interceptions and was booed throughout the game by the Washington faithful. Grant Delpit had two picks and Denzel Ward had one. Wentz, making his first start since Game 6, finished 16 of 28 for 143 yards for a rating of 31.4. Watson’s three-TD half pushed his rating to 122.5 (9 of 18 for 169 yards), but it was tough sledding the first half.
2. Chubba, hubba ding dong: Nick Chubb’s running has a way of igniting the entire team. After another pathetic Wentz drive ended in a Myles Garrett sack, Chubb kicked off an 84-yard drive with runs of 9, 7 and 6 yards. They inspired Watson to make some key throws. He connected with Cooper for 26 yards on third-and-9, and with David Njoku for 21 yards on second-and-19. The Browns scored their second touchdown when Watson hit Donovan Peoples-Jones underneath coverage in the middle of the field and DPJ leaned into the end zone for a 13-yard score and 17-7 Browns lead. Chubb rushed for a 7.4-yard average on 104 yards in 14 attempts.
3. Getting to know you: Cooper, a $20 million-a-year receiver, had only one target in the first half, an uncatchable ball on which Cooper stopped his route and Watson threw into the end zone. Then on the first possession of the second half, Watson targeted Cooper on third-and-5 from the Washington 46. Cooper caught the short pass at the left sideline, shook off cornerback Kendall Fuller, and accelerated to the end zone for a 46-yard catch-and-run. It put the Browns ahead, 10-7.
4. This is how you do it: The Commanders put on a clinic on how to score despite regrettable play from their quarterback. They inherited the ball at their 4 after a punt with 11:48 to go in the first half. Wentz was having an awful game (two interceptions), inspiring chants for popular backup Taylor Heinicke. But the offense plowed on for 21 plays and 11:27 of possession time. Wentz vaulted over the goal line and stretched the ball through the plane for the touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 1 – the 15th carry of the drive. Wentz did make a great throw to Jahan Dotson for 20 yards to convert a third-and-17 critical play. The touchdown gave the Commanders a 7-3 lead at halftime.
5. Misery: For the first time in five games, Watson regressed. Good lord, what a terrible first half. He slinked off the field with these numbers: 3 of 8 for 23 yards, 4 sacks, 45.8 rating, 3 points.
6. Litany of failures: On the first series, the offense made it to the 50 and then had to punt on fourth-and-30 from the Browns’ 30. On the next defensive possession, a Denzel Ward interception gave the Browns the ball at the Washington 36. Alas, the offense gained only 17 yards to set up a 37-yard Cade York field goal. A fourth-down defensive stand set up the third series at the Browns’ 42. Two Nick Chubb runs gained 49 yards to the Washington 9. Then, two sacks set up fourth-and-goal from the 7. York made a 25-yard chip shot, but Stefanski took the points off the board after a Washington offsides penalty. On fourth-and-goal from the 3, Watson was tackled after getting 1 yard on a quarterback draw.
7. It got worse: Wentz’ second interception by Grant Delpit gave the Browns the ball at their 48. Watson suffered his fourth sack on first down. Then, on third-and-8, Watson circled the backfield escaping Washington sack attempts and finally dumped the ball to … right tackle Jack Conklin, who was minding his own business on the right sideline. To his credit, Conklin let the ball bounce off his chest. That resulted in a loss of down and punt.
8. On second thought: Stefanski was asked during the week if he intended to give more playing time to young players, specifically, running back Jerome Ford and safety D’Anthony Bell. The coach demurred. Sure enough, Bell started the game as the third safety ahead of Ronnie Harrison. Bell, one of the core players on special teams, made a good play downing a Corey Bojorquez punt at the Washington 4-yard line, which, sadly, led to the Commanders’ only touchdown drive. In the third quarter, Ford gave Chubb a breather for one play and gained 9 yards on a toss play to the left.
9. Fourth down frolics: Both teams failed on key fourth-down decisions. The Commanders faced fourth-and-1 from the Browns 40 on their second possession. A quick pitch to No. 3 back Jonathan Williams was snuffed out by Jadeveon Clowney for a 2-yard loss. Washington later atoned when Wentz vaulted over for the lone TD on fourth-and-1. The Browns’ failure was more egregious because they took 3 points off the board for a fourth-and-goal from the Washington 3. Watson’s draw play netted one yard.
10. Pre-game notes: Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was active, despite starting the week in concussion protocol and missing a day because of illness. One interesting addition was running back John Kelly made active after being elevated from practice squad. That means the Browns had five running backs active. The Commanders had two starters in their defensive backfield made inactive – safety Kamren Curl (ankle) and cornerback Benjamin St.-Juste (ankle). The Commanders also were without No. 2 running back Antonio Gibson (foot, knee).
