The Browns drop their third consecutive game in a 34-13 loss to the Commanders. Cleveland now sits 1-4 on the season.
"We have to fix what ills us right this minute, and that's what we'll focus on," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Have to play better. Have to coach better. All of the above when you're playing a good football team. And we didn't do that today, which, again, disappointing, frustrating, but we'll stick together and find some solutions."
Here are three big takeaways from Sunday.
Defense showed early signs of improvement before faltering
After defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and players called out the need to tackle better, play with an intensity from the jump and communicate throughout the week, the Browns defense answered the call early in the game.
On the Commanders opening drive, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah brought down RB Brian Robinson Jr. for a loss of one yard. Then two plays later on a third-and-10, DE Za'Darius Smith sacked QB Jayden Daniels for a loss of 10 yards and forced the Commanders to punt – only their fifth of the season.
Their intensity continued, as Owusu-Koramoah intercepted Daniels' pass in the red zone intended for TE Zach Ertz on the goal line. It was just Daniels' second interception this season.
They still had some miscues, such as when S Grant Delpit couldn't bring down Robinson in the red zone which led to a touchdown or allowed RB Austin Ekeler to break through tackles and run for 20 yards in the second quarter. They also gave up a 34-yard run by Daniels as he scrambled and kept the ball. Daniels' run set the Commanders up in the red zone for the touchdown by Robinson. They also gave up a 41-yard touchdown pass to WR Dyami Brown with only CB Martin Emerson Jr. in coverage to end the first half.
"We got to be in the right positions," DE Myles Garrett said. "It makes tackling a lot easier when you're where you need to be, and you're squaring a guy instead of trying to run across the field to make that tackle. So, we just got to be where we need to be and execute."
The Browns got another strong start in the second half as Owusu-Koramoah punched the ball out and forced the turnover on the first play. Emerson Jr. picked up the ball and for a necessary takeaway and set the Browns up for nice field position for the offense.
However, as the game continued, the defense began to falter in their ability to shut down the Commanders and Daniels. With how much the defense was on the field, they struggled to tackle as strongly as they did earlier in the game and gave up big plays. The Commanders had a total of 12 explosive plays over the course of the game, giving up 17 points in the second quarter and 10 points in the third. Daniels completed 14 of 25 passing attempts for 238 yards and one touchdown, as well as 82 rushing yards.
Yet, Garrett said they have to play complementary football in all three phases of the ball.
"We started out getting stops, holding them, making them punt, getting takeaways; but we got to continue to do that," Garrett said. "Doesn't matter if they don't have the most points this week. If we hold them to less, then we did our job. We can't keep on looking at the offense and keep on expecting more. We have to expect more of ourselves. We all have a job to do individually and as a team."
Garrett said both as a defense and as a, they have had conversations in the past two weeks about the need to improve their play. Now, it has to translate to the field.
"I think we're not playing to the standard that we set last year," Garrett said. "I think we've taken a step back up to this point. So, we have to find what we lost last year and improve upon that. We have to go back and soul search."
Check out photos of the Browns against the Washington Commanders in Week 5
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) andCornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (38) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (38) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Browns offense struggles from the jump
The Browns offense could not establish a flow from their opening drive of the game, as they turned the ball over on downs. Then they were forced into three-and-out situations on their next three offensive drives in the first quarter. The Browns had to punt a total of seven times over the course of the game and converted just 1 of 13 third down attempts.
"We absolutely have to be better when we get down in those distances that are lower, we have to convert and we have to protect the quarterback better," Stefanski said.
The Browns did not score their first touchdown until halfway through the fourth quarter when QB Deshaun Watson connected with TE Jordan Akins for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The Browns' only other points in the game came on two field goals.
Watson finished the game completing 15 of 28 passing attempts for 125 passing yards. Watson faced pressure from the Commanders offense over the course of the game, as he was sacked a total of seven times for a loss of 33 yards and was hit an additional 11 times.
"They did a nice job rushing the passer," Stefanski said. "We didn't do a good enough job protecting the quarterback. But we have to find a way to stay on the football field as an offense."
Watson said as an offense, they are working to figure out what their strengths are and how they can best utilize all their skilled players to their advantage. Coming into the season, Watson said they wanted to be an explosive offense. As they are working through how defenses are matching up against the Browns and using two high safeties, Watson said they have to run the ball more in those situations in order to allow the pass game to open up.
They struggled to do so on Sunday, as Browns finished the game with 108 net passing yards and 104 bet rushing yards, averaging just 3.6 yards per gain.
Watson said he is also trying to get the ball out faster to his pass catchers and make the right reads to help create plays and build an offensive flow.
"This offense is going to go as far as I go," Watson said. "If we're not doing enough offensively, as a quarterback, you take all the pressure, you take all the heat. I got to find ways to bring everyone else along with each other and how we can go out here on Sundays and eliminate all the self-inflicted mistakes that's going to cause us to get behind the eight ball and put ourselves in situations that we don't want to be in."
Check out photos of players warming up for a preseason game against the Washington Commanders
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The team before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94)before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The stadium before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The defense before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The offense before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The offense before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The stadium before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The stadium before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) and Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
The team before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on October 6, 2024 at Northwest Stadium.
Browns special teams answered when called upon
As the Browns tried to work through their offensive struggles, the Browns special teams unit found ways to impact the game in their own manner.
K Dustin Hopkins hit two field goals to put the only points on the board for the Browns until late in the fourth quarter. Early in the second quarter when the Browns had a fourth-and-19, Hopkins hit a 51-yard field goal to give the Browns their first points of the game.
Then early in the third quarter, after the Browns defense forced a takeaway to start the second half, the offense struggled to capitalize off the turnover. On a fourth-and-13, Hopkins hit a 31-yard field goal to give the Browns six points. His only extra point of the game halfway through the fourth quarter following the Browns' lone touchdown was good. Hopkins totaled seven points for the Browns.
P Corey Bojorquez also played an important role in putting the Browns defense in good position against the Commanders offense. Four of his seven punts landed inside the 20-yard line, with three landing inside the 10-yard line.
At the end of the first quarter, Bojorquez punted the ball for 65 yards and pinned the Commanders at their own 2-yard line. Bojorquez also punted the ball for 50 yards to end the second quarter that pinned Washington at its own 2-yard line again.
The Browns had one penalty on special teams when CB Mike Ford Jr. was called for fair catch interference in the first quarter. While the penalty gave the Commanders an additional 15 yards, they were not able to capitalize offensively as Owusu-Koramoah intercepted a pass on a third-down attempt.
Special teams has continued to play a consistent role for the Browns through the first portion of the season. And the Browns need that level of consistency from their special teams units as they search for answers on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
