By Zac Jackson, Ben Standig and Cale Clinton
Sunday was a tale of two quarterbacks as the Washington Commanders dominated the Cleveland Browns 34-14. The win puts the Commanders squarely atop the NFC East at 4-1, the best start for the franchise since 2008.
Despite sitting midway through the fourth quarter, Jayden Daniels continues to rewrite history books. The rookie quarterback became the first player in NFL history to put up 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards through the first five games of his career. He finished the afternoon with 238 passing yards and 82 rushing yards. His 320 combined yards are the most by a Commanders rookie quarterback since Robert Griffin III’s 348-yard debut in 2012.
The benchmark day came on a day where Daniels started the afternoon looking like a rookie early on. But Washington was able to gash Cleveland for massive gains throughout the afternoon. Austin Ekeler put up four plays of at least 20 yards, including a 50-yard rush and a 29-yard touchdown reception. Daniels had a 34-yard scramble of his own and connected with Terry McLaurin for 66 yards.
Why was the defense so tired? Deshaun Watson and the Browns offense were unable to consistently orchestrate drives. Cleveland had five three-and-outs in the first half. The Browns had two possessions to start on Washington’s side of the field, and both ended in field goals. In each of their five games this season, Cleveland has been unable to put up 300 total yards or 20 points in a single game.
Stefanski: We’re not changing quarterbacks. We need to play better. I need to coach better. That’s really what it is.
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) October 6, 2024
A get-right game for the Commanders’ defense
Washington’s defense wasn’t along for the Daniels ride this week. Linebacker Frankie Luvu supplied the aggressiveness the coaching staff desired as a pass rusher (2 1/2 sacks) and tackler. The linebacker also recovered a fumble – and had plenty of help.
The Commanders entered Week 5 ranked last in opponents’ third down conversion percentage and then proceeded to hold the Browns to 1-of-13. The lone conversion occurred inside the final minute. Linebacker Bobby Wagner added a sack, and the secondary, clobbered by No. 1 receivers all season, helped quiet Cleveland’s passing game.
Watson looked uncomfortable in the pocket for reasons beyond Washington’s pass rush, but the Commanders’ performance added to that reality. The challenge goes next level in Week 6 at Baltimore against Lamar Jackson, but Washington’s defense has looked the part in consecutive weeks. — Ben Standig, Commanders beat writer
Daniels passes the eye test
Daniels’ final numbers were rather ordinary, but don’t let that deceive you. The rookie quarterback kept the Browns off balance with his arm and legs.
Leading 7-3, the Commanders scored on five of their final six possessions of the first half. Daniels took some big hits, including one shortly before he exited up 34-6. The offense continued rolling up points regardless. — Standig
Browns offense continues to struggle
Whatever the Browns are trying to do offensively just is not working. There’s no flow and every Watson dropback remains an adventure. The Browns failed on all 12 of their third-down conversion tries Sunday and weren’t generally effective on the other downs, either.
Watson had just 125 yards passing and the Browns only went over 200 yards in garbage time when Watson had been mercifully removed from the game. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
Cleveland squandered a winnable matchup
This was against a Commanders’ defense that was 30th in passing DVOA over the season’s first month and near the bottom in multiple major defensive categories. For the Browns, the numbers match the eye test, really.
They still haven’t reached 20 points in a game. Watson hasn’t had a lot of time to throw but has missed open receivers when he has. Penalties and bad tackling were problematic again, but this offense is completely broken. And that’s why the season for the team with the highest payroll in league history feels completely over at 1-4. — Jackson
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
