The Browns secondary couldn’t make stops when it mattered most, and it cost them the game.
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Washington linebacker Ryan Kerrigan left the Redskins’ game against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter with a left elbow injury. Washington has won three of the last four against Cleveland and the two have hit the under in four of their last six meetings.
It came after Norman intercepted a Cody Kessler pass that was intended for Terrelle Pryor, pretty much putting the game on ice for the Redskins. Since then, in two victories, Washington has committed more to the run, showing patience through a 30-carry, 90-yard shoving match against the Giants and now offering this exquisitely-balanced game plan that included 26 run calls in 56 plays.
“He’s a receiver in a tight end body”, Browns cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun said after Reed had two touchdown catches.
All told, the Browns ran the ball 28 times on Sunday, the second highest total of the season. But bland isn’t always bad, especially for a team that hadn’t gotten enough out of almost 1,000 passing yards in the first three games. It was also his most carries of the season – not a coincidence for a team that has struggled to find offensive balance.
The character that they showed not to fold, but to come back after a first quarter where they fell behind gives hope for the season. The Browns defense was no match for quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Washington offense. Something insane happened. The game started trending in the Browns direction after Crowell willed himself into the end zone. And with Tom Brady coming to Cleveland next Sunday, an 0-5 start is looking like a near certainty.
Talk about an answer, though, by the Browns.
The Browns had turned a around a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to Washington and led 20-17 late in the third quarter. If Johnson holds on to the ball, as an National Football League back should do and gets paid to do, the offense picks up 5 yards on a nice first down play call.
Sunday: Parkey was 2 for 2 on both field goals and extra points while Hopkins continued his ideal season, nailing a 49-yarder and going 4 for 4 on field goals. The offense was able to move down the field easily, but finishing the drives was not as easy.
Jones still has times when he stutter-steps too much and tries to dance around smaller players – it happened in the first half.
The fact that Johnson fumbled wasn’t the issue – he clearly lost the ball. Johnson’s fumble did not lead to Washington points, but it was part of a momentum shift away from the Browns as they saw a 20-17 lead fade into their fourth loss in four games. One of those belongs to rookie defensive end Carl Nassib, who will miss his second straight game with a broken hand.
The constant mistakes, whether it be offensively or defensively, are killing this young team’s chances to win.
Many words were said at the podium and inside the Browns locker room after Sunday’s 31-20 loss.
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Cleveland comes into its match-up with Washington (1-and-2) with and 0-and-3 record on the season, and might be as banged-up as its opponent.
