Browns vs. Commanders Preview (10-4-24)

By: Jaden Golding

Headline Photo Credit: Washington Commanders

Landover, MD – The Cleveland Browns come to town to take on the Washington Commanders in week five of the NFL season. Cleveland (1-3) are currently in the midst of a two-game losing streak having dropped their last contest against the Las Vegas Raiders 20-16. Washington (3-1) has set the league on notice, winning their previous three games recently dominating the Arizona Cardinals 42-14 last Sunday. 

The Browns have a hard time establishing consistency throughout the first quarter of the 2024 season, especially on the offensive side. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, since signing his fully guaranteed five-year $230 million contract in 2022, has not lived up to the expectations that the Cleveland organization or fans were hoping for. So far, this season Watson ranks dead last in QBR (adjusted quarterback rating), has thrown for four touchdowns, turned the ball over five times (three interceptions & two fumbles lost),  and is spearheading an offense that ranks 30th in the league. 

For the Commanders, their offense has been on a roll scoring 38+ points in their past two contests and rookie Jayden Daniels was recently named NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Month for his hot start to his young career. The Commanders have the sixth-ranked offense (393.5 total yards per game), third-highest rushing attack per game (169.3 yards), generate the third most points per game (30.3), and convert third-downs better than anyone at 53.5%. Talk about a team that has been rolling. Running back duo, Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler have been a lethal combination, and the wide receiver group as a whole has outperformed expectations so far. But a big shout out to the offensive line, this group has done excellent at keeping Daniels clean in the pocket, run-blocking & moving to the second line, and playing physically from start to finish. 

Keys To Victory For Washington:

● Force Turnovers: So far in the 2024 season, the Commanders have only forced two turnovers, both being forced fumbles by (Benjamin St-Juste, and Frankie Luvu). That has to change to take some of the burden off the secondary. It all coincides with the defensive line making quarterbacks uncomfortable and not making the secondary cover receivers for so long on plays. But the secondary has to play physically and make plays on the ball. 

● Defense build from the Arizona Performance: The Washington defense had its best performance last week, holding the Arizona Cardinals to 14 total points, keeping star quarterback Kyler Murray under 200 total passing yards, and forcing the Cardinals to punt four times. You must keep the momentum from a dominant afternoon like that going, and establish further consistency moving forward. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. talked about how he simplified the call sheet before the Arizona game and it helped the communication, calling it “outstanding.” If this unit can play the physical, hard-nose style they talk about then the wins they stack will be a two-way affair on both sides of the ball. 

● Neutralize Myles Garrett: Garrett is one of if not the best defensive players in the league. He’s a game-wrecker who uses his athleticism, length, and power to get involved not only rushing the passer but defending against the run. You can’t completely shut him down, but double-teaming him, chipping with tight-ends (John Bates & Ben Sinnott), or just not running plays directly at Garrett can slow down his involvement. 

Cleveland and Washington Player To Watch:

WR Amari Cooper: Has Cooper struggled to start the season? Yes. But does that mean he is still not a talented receiver, no. Cooper displays the big-play ability to hurt defenses’ and Washington’s secondary must prepare themselves for the test. Just two weeks ago against the Giants, Cooper found the endzone twice. 

DT Jonathan Allen: Cleveland’s offensive line is banged up badly right now, they have four linemen on IR right now and have five different linemen questionable for Sunday’s game. Allen had a nice showing last week finally getting on the stat sheet with half-a-sack. But he’s looking for more and Washington knows he’s capable of it too. With the Browns’ line struggling play-wise (allowing 19 sacks) and with injuries, Allen can take advantage of that by controlling the trenches and using his strength to clog up the lanes. 

Beat The Browns:

Cleveland has the all-time series lead against Washington, 35-12-1. The Browns have won the past two contests dating back to 2023 and 2020. Last time, Watson led the Browns in a week 17 contest in the 2022-23 season into Washington, they eliminated the Commanders from playoff contention in a 24-10 victory. With a win Sunday, the Commanders will move to 4-1 their best start since 2008. 

Final Verdict:

The Browns are desperately looking for a victory as they are losing the fans and it’s possible the organization could be losing confidence in Watson. A 1-4 start in a highly competitive AFC conference does not fair well for your postseason chances.

Washington will look to keep stacking victories and play their style of football which is running the football and playing their spread-style offense. All three phases of the game have clicked for them and they’ll need that going forward. The Commanders have also done a great job of protecting the football and when you do that, it is a key ingredient to winning on Sundays.