It was another game that ended in a loss for the Browns, but there were once again some impressive individual performances from the team's young roster.
We singled out five from Sunday's 31-20 loss in Washington.
RB Isaiah Crowell - Has anyone on the Browns had a better first quarter of the season? The third-year running back keeps getting better and better, and even though his 112 yards weren't a season high, it's hard to argue against Sunday being his best overall performance of the year. Crowell made the most of the big lanes provided by the interior of Cleveland's offensive line and got the tough yards when the Browns needed them most, like when he took a short screen on third-and-long and turned it into a first down after plowing his way for 14 yards. Crowell is second in the NFL with 386 rushing yards, the most accumulated by a Brown through four games since Jim Brown in 1965. Cleveland, as a team, is No. 1 in the league in rushing yards per game and attempt.
LB Cam Johnson - On Friday, Johnson was thousands of miles across the country as a member of Arizona's practice squad. On Saturday, he was back in the place where he spent training camp and on Sunday he was playing a major role on a Browns defense low on pass rushers. Johnson not only gave the Browns 17 valuable snaps, but he also delivered in a big way with two sacks. His first sack was a near game-changer, as he caused Kirk Cousins to fumble early in the third quarter. His second sack helped stifle a fourth-quarter Washington drive that entered field goal territory but ended with a punt. He'll be counted on in the coming weeks, as the Browns will continue to use a variety of young players to fill the void left by Nate Orchard.
The Browns play the second half against the Redskins in Week 4.
Joe Schobert (53), Christian Kirksey (58), Joe Haden (23), and Jordan Poyer (33) tackle Redskins RB Matt Jones (31).
OL Joe Thomas sits on the sideline.
RB Isaiah Crowell runs away from the Redskins defense.
OL Joe Thomas blocks.
The Cleveland Browns offense steps onto the field.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr after a catch.
WR Ricardo Louis is tackled.
QB Cody Kessler (6) celebrates with TE Gary Barnidge (82) after a big play.
A young fan watches during the second half.
OL Joe Thomas takes a knee on the field.
RB Duke Johnson Jr is tackled.
RB Duke Johnson Jr runs with the ball against Redskins CB Bashaud Breeland.
WR Andrew Hawkins runs with the ball.
LB Christian Kirksey at the line of scrimmage.
LB Christian Kirksey (58) celebrates a play with DB Derrick Kindred (30).
TE Randall Telfer on the field in the second half.
TE Gary Barnidge is tackled in the second half.
RB George Atkinson III kneels for a touchback.
QB Cody Kessler hands the ball off in the second half.
RB Isaiah Crowell runs with the ball.
RB Duke Johnson Jr dodges a tackle.
K Cody Parkey makes a field goal.
DL Xavier Cooper looks to tackle Redskins QB Kirk Cousins.
RB Isaiah Crowell dodges a tackle.
RB Isaiah Crowell runs with the ball.
DL Gabe Wright - On the field for just seven plays, Wright was at the center of two big ones late in the second quarter. On second-and-20 from Cleveland's 27, Wright busted up an attempted screen pass for running back Chris Thompson. On the following play, the Redskins tried to make up some of the yards with a short pass to tight end Jordan Reed, but Wright was right there to drop him for a 4-yard loss. It's the second consecutive week Wright has made an impact during his limited snaps, as he helped apply pressure on a play against Miami that ended in a Briean Boddy-Calhoun pick-six.
DB Jamar Taylor - For a second straight week, Taylor used a combination of good preparation and instincts to nab an interception. This time, the Browns cashed in following a Taylor interception, collecting their second touchdown in as many series to tie the game, 14-14, midway through the second quarter. Taylor is tied with Joe Haden for the team lead with two interceptions. Browns defensive backs have five on the year, the same amount they contributed last year when the team had 11 total.
OL Austin Reiter - Thrust into a tough situation, the second-year center played well in his Browns debut in one of the toughest spots for any offensive player. He was at the center of a strong Browns rushing attack that picked up its biggest chunks of yards through the middle. Unfortunately, Reiter's day ended on a down note because of a knee injury that will be evaluated in the coming days. If Reiter is out for an extended period of time, the Browns will need to adjust once again on an offensive line that has been hit hard with turnover through the first quarter of the season.
