Washington QB Jayden Daniels is the best rookie of the season and an early MVP candidate through four games. (Washington Commanders)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Washington Commanders
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Northwest Stadium; Landover MD
Record: 3-1.
Last game: Defeated Arizona Cardinals, 42-14, September 29, in Glendale, AZ.
Coach: Dan Quinn, 3-1, first year; 46-43 overall.
Series record: Browns lead, 35-12-1.
Last meeting: Browns won, 24-10, January 1, 2023, in Landover, MD.
League rankings: Offense is sixth overall (third rushing, 12th passing), defense is 27th overall (23rd rushing, 22nd passing) and turnover differential is plus-1.
Things to watch
1. This long-dormant franchise has been fully rejuvenated by three factors – the transfer of ownership from hated Dan Snyder to billionaire investor Josh Harris, the blast of energy brought by new coach Dan Quinn, and, mostly, the jolt of electricity from the early success of franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU.
2. Daniels has had the same immediate impact on the Commanders that Josh Allen had in Buffalo, Joe Burrow in Cincinnati and C.J. Stroud in Houston. Basically, the team and fan base know already they have The Guy. That’s what franchise quarterbacks do – infuse energy and excitement and hope into the franchise. Beyond that, however, Daniels’ first four NFL games have been uncanny. He’s completing 82% of his passes, has thrown for 3 touchdowns and run for 4, has a passer rating of 107.4, and in consecutive road games outplayed former No. 1 overall picks Burrow and Kyler Murray of Arizona.
3. Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense protects Daniels but also maximizes his dual skills. What makes Daniels special beyond his athletic ability is his accuracy with the ball. His completion percentage might be largely due to Kingsbury’s quick-release routes. But when Daniels has thrown farther downfield, he knows where to place the ball to give receivers, primarily Terry McLaurin, the chance to run with it. Daniels plays mostly out of the shotgun and isn’t shy to run – 46 times in four games – but few of them are designed runs, except when near the end zone. Kingsbury is known for his Air Raid offense, but this may be his best rushing team yet; they’re averaging 169 yards a game and 5.1 per rush.
4. Quinn’s defense will take some infusion of talent to get up to speed. Like his defenses in Dallas, they are more concerned with rushing the passer than stopping the run. At one time, Washington had four No. 1 picks across its defensive line. The Commanders allowed ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat to depart and kept high-priced tackles DaRon Payne and Jonathan Allen. The tackles combine for about $40 million in salaries this season and are adjusting to Quinn’s system.
Did you know …?
1. Daniels’ 82.1 completion percentage is almost 10 points higher than the next-best. Seattle’s Geno Smith is second at 72.3%.
2. The Commanders have scored on 68% of their offensive drives – 10 points higher than next-best New Orleans. They have scored on 16 consecutive drives and have 12 possessions of 10+ plays.
3. Terry McLaurin is the first Washington receiver to have four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. That puts him in the company of Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams and Mike Evans.
4. Running back Austin Ekeler had one kickoff touchdown return nullified by penalty and also has a 62-yard return. He will be limited this week, however, with a concussion.
5. The Commanders have 10 rushing TDs and 3 passing TDs. Their opponents have the opposite – 3 rushing and 10 passing.
6. Since he replaced Cade York, kicker Austin Seibert has made 10 of 10 field goal tries, but none yet from 50.
7. The Browns are 17-5-1 against Washington on the road.
Small world: Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was Browns pass game coordinator/secondary coach in 2019 … Assistant quarterback coach David Blough played for the Browns in 2019 … Run game coordinator/running backs coach Anthony Lynn was Browns running backs coach in 2007-08 … Kicker Austin Seibert was a Browns fifth-round draft pick in 2019 … Quarterback Jeff Driskel played one game for the Browns in 2023 … Right tackle Andrew Wylie was on Browns practice squad in 2017.