The Browns had their worst loss of the season on Sunday, falling 34-13 to the Commanders, bringing their record to 1-4.
The offense didn't find the end zone until the middle of the fourth quarter as QB Deshaun Watson was sacked seven times and had just 125 passing yards.
The Commanders offense, led by rookie QB Jayden Daniels, made several explosive plays, allowing Washington to jump to a multi-score lead before halftime. By the start of the fourth quarter, Daniels was done for the day as the Commanders had built a comfortable lead over Cleveland.
Key moments
Browns offense can't overcome slow start
The Browns and Commanders combined for five three-and-out drives in the first quarter as both offenses looked sluggish to start the game. The Commanders offense picked up the pace, scoring 24 points before halftime. The Browns did not, scoring just a field goal in the game's first 30-minutes.
The Commanders struck first with the first explosive play of the day. Daniels faced instant pressure from S Grant Delpit and CB Greg Newsome II, rolled to the right and unleashed a 66-yard shot to a streaking WR Terry McLaurin. Ward tackled McLaurin before he reached the end zone – a touchdown-saving play that paid off a few plays later when LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah made a diving interception to get the ball back for the Browns offense.
The Browns offense couldn't capitalize on the defense's first interception of the season, however, going three-and-out and giving the ball right back to the Commanders offense, which scored the first points of the day with a Brian Robinson Jr. touchdown run.
Cleveland got on the scoreboard at the beginning of the second quarter. After the offense stalled out in Commanders territory, K Dustin Hopkins connected on a 51-yard field goal. It would be their only score of the first half, as Watson completed just eight of his 18 passing attempts for 66 yards and the Browns rushing offense totaled just 14 yards at halftime.
After punting six times in the first half, Cleveland had dug itself a deep hole in the form of a 21-point deficit, which only grew in the second half until the game was already out of hand.
Browns defense struggles to contain Commanders rushing offense
A week after allowing over 150 rushing yards in their loss to the Raiders, the Browns struggled to contain the Commanders rushing attack. Delpit had a chance to bring down Robinson before his first quarter touchdown run but missed the tackle. A few drives later, RB Austin Ekeler gashed the Browns defense, running 57 yards before finally being brought down.
The Commanders finished with 215 rushing yards and had eight runs that went for over 10 yards as the Browns struggled to bring down ball carriers throughout the game.
Daniels and the Commanders played disciplined football, converting half of their third down attempts before Marcus Mariota took over at quarterback. Daniels was unafraid to take off and run with the ball, finishing the game with 82 rushing yards. While the Browns sacked Daniels three times, his ability to make plays when pressured was on full display, as he made several impressive throws while evading near-sacks.
Penalty problems re-emerge
The Browns, which entered Sunday as the seventh-most penalized team in the NFL, had nine penalties against the Commanders for a net loss of 52 yards.
Several were avoidable.
CB Mike Ford Jr. drilled punt returner Olamide Zaccheaus after he had called for a fair catch, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty that sparked a drive that likely would have resulted in a touchdown if not for Owusu-Koramoah's interception.
In the second half, the Browns caught some much-needed momentum after Owusu-Koramoah forced a fumble in Commanders territory. Watson connected twice with WR Amari Cooper for 28 total yards and the Browns were knocking on the end zone's door at the Washington 2-yard line. However, a false start on G Zak Zinter backed them up five yards. A delay of game on fourth-and-goal pushed them back again, and the Browns had to settle for a field goal, already down 21 points.
Key stats and facts
- S Grant Delpit suited up for his 50th career game on Sunday. The Browns took Delpit in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
- CB Denzel Ward had two passes defensed, marking his fifth consecutive game with a pass breakup. It was also his third game this season with multiple pass breakups, marking the third consecutive season with multiple pass breakups in at least three games
- Ward's two pass breakups also tied Buster Skrine for the most pass breakups in a Browns player's first 5 games of a season
Browns DE Za'Darius Smith had his third sack of the season on the first drive of the game.
Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah finished the game with two turnovers: one interception and one forced fumble.
Owusu-Koramoah's interception was the Browns defense's first of the season.
Scoring plays
2:40 1Q | CLE 0 WAS 7 | Brian Robinson Jr. runs short left for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13:08 2Q | CLE 3 WAS 7 | Dustin Hopkins 51-yard field goal is GOOD.
8:41 2Q | CLE 3 WAS 10 | Austin Seibert 27-yard field goal is GOOD.
3:11 2Q | CLE 3 WAS 17 | Brian Robinson Jr. run short middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
0:36 2Q | CLE 3 WAS 24 | Jayden Daniels pass deep right to Dyami Brown for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12:12 3Q | CLE 6 WAS 24 | Dustin Hopkins 31-yard field goal is GOOD.
7:23 3Q | CLE 6 WAS 31 | Jeremy McNichols run short left for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2:35 3Q | CLE 6 WAS 34 | Austin Seibert 30-yard field goal is GOOD.
7:02 4Q | CLE 13 WAS 34 | Deshaun Watson pass short right to Jordan Akins, TOUCHDOWN.
What it means
The Browns fall to 1-4 on the season, including three consecutive losses. They have yet to start divisional play, with their six divisional games compacted in the final 12 weeks of the season.
What's next?
The Browns will wrap up their three-game road trip and travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in Week 6 at 1 p.m. The Eagles are 2-2 heading into Week 6 after having a bye in Week 5.
