Game Recap – Cleveland Browns at Washington Commanders

January 2, 2023

By Noonefromtampa

First Half

The Washington Commanders won the coin toss and elected to defer until the second half. The Commanders defense started out a little sloppy, allowing Nick Chubb to pick up 12 yards on a screen pass and then 9 yards on a run. Montez Sweat was called for a neutral zone infraction, which gave the Browns another first down. The Commanders then got some help, as the Browns were called for holding on first down. On second and twenty, Daron Payne sacked Deshaun Watson for an 8 yard loss. A third down screen was stopped for a 1 yard loss forcing Cleveland to punt.

Washington’s first drive ended very quickly, with a short run by Brian Robinson, an incompletion by Carson Wentz and then an interception by Denzel Ward. Harrison Bryant picked up 12 yards on a catch on first down. The Browns only picked up five more yards and Cade York kicked a 37 yard field goal. Browns 3, Commanders 0

Washington’s second drive went better than the first. Logan Thomas caught a quick hitter on third down for 11 yards to convert. Robinson then picked up 15 yards on two rushing plays. The drive petered out after that and Ron Rivera elected to go for it on fourth and one. For some unknown reason, Scott Turner did not have Robinson in and elected to run wide with Jonathan Williams, who was tackled for a loss.

Starting at their own 42 on their subsequent possession, the Browns went with running behind Chubb, who picked up 14 yards and 35 yards on successive plays. The Browns drive was stopped by two sacks in three plays. York made a field goal but Washington was offside, so the Browns decided to try for the touchdown on fourth and goal from the 3 yard line. Darrick Forrest stopped Watson on a quarterback draw to force the turnover on downs.

After converting a third down via a defensive holding call against the Browns, Wentz was intercepted again by Grant Delpit on a deep throw to a double-covered Curtis Samuel. Washington’s defensive line went to work on Watson either sacking him or chasing him all over the field. The Browns were forced to punt after a three and out.

Washington then went on a drive that last over 11 minutes, covering 21 plays and 96 yards. The drive mainly featured running by Robinson and Williams and several key third down throws by Wentz. After Wentz was sacked on a second down play, Wentz hit Jahan Dotson for 20 yards on a great route and throw by Wentz. Thomas picked up two first down on catches of 15 yards and 6 yards finding holes in the Browns zone coverage. Washington finally got down to the 1 yard line of Cleveland and Wentz leaped over the top to score a touchdown on fourth down. Joey Slye converted the extra point despite a sloppy snap and hold by Cameron Cheeseman and Tress Way. Commanders 7, Browns 3.

The Browns elected to kneel and end the half.

Second Half

Washington started on offense, but the first two running plays netted zero yards. A third down pass to Williams also lost two yards. Tress Way punted the ball 47 yards and Jaelon Darden returned it 9 yards to the Browns 37 yard line.

On Cleveland’s next drive, the Browns picked up 17 yards on 5 plays behind Waston throwing and running. Watson hit Amari Cooper on a short pass on third down, and Cooper broke a Kendall Fuller tackle to take it 46 yards to the house for a touchdown. York converted the extra point. Browns 10, Commanders 7.

Terry McLaurin opened the next drive with a 12 yard reception. Robinson picked up 14 yard off left tackle. After an incompletion and short run by Williams, Wentz was sacked by Myles Garrett for an 8 yard loss and Way come in and punted.

The Browns the had their best drive of the day on the next drive, going 84 yards in 12 plays. Chubb continued to pick up chunks of yards on each carry while Watson hit key passes in long distance situations. On a third and nine, Cooper picked up 26 yards on third and nine, and David Njoku picked up 21 yards on second and 19. Donovan Peoples-Jones for a 13 yard touchdown three plays later. Browns 17, Commanders 7.

Washington’s next drive started with completions to Dotson for 9 yards and 23 yards to McLaurin. Washington was able to pick up one more first down thanks to a 6 yard catch by Curtis Samuel. However, the drive died at the Cleveland 25 and Slye kicked a 43 yard field goal. Browns 17, Commanders 10.

The Browns came right back and quickly moved the ball down the field. Watson ran for 21 yards on a second and 10. Jacoby Brissett picked up a first down on a fourth down quarterback sneak. Watson hit Cooper for a 33 yard touchdown three plays later. Browns 24, Commanders 10.

Washington was able to convert on third down, with Williams catching a 6 yard pass. Cam Sims converted a fourth down and 3 with a 16 yard catch. Wentz then threw another interception throwing into double coverage. There was uncalled defensive pass interference on Dotson on the play.

At that point, the Browns basically just ran time off the clock and punted after three plays that netted a loss of one yard. Washington failed to convert on their next mistake-filled series. They picked up 10 yards and lost 10 yards on penalties.

The Browns got that ball back just before the two-minute warning. They took no chances with the ball and took a knee and ran time off the clock. The Browns punted the ball back, and Washington received the ball at their own 5 with 24 seconds left on the clock.  The ran one play to run out the clock.

Final Score: Browns 24, Commanders 10

Game Thoughts

It took only three plays for Carson Wentz to throw an interception on a poor throwing decision, his first of three on the day.

Why is Brian Robinson not on the field running the ball on fourth and one? And why are you trying to run wide on a fourth down play? Scott Turner, what were you thinking?

Cleveland looked like a different team after halftime, the Commanders looked clueless after halftime. That is all on the Washington coaching staff.

Cleveland took the Washington game plan and executed it much better.

Why does Amari Cooper always have a good game against Washington?

Why can’t W ashington get a defensive pass interference call in the endzone? Just how obvious does it need to be for the Commanders to get a favorable call?

Hopefully, the next owner and new coaching staff can figure out the answers to some of these puzzling questions.