Washington Commanders (4-1) – Cleveland Browns (1-4): 34-13
Both teams started the match timidly. The defenses are there in the first quarter and the attacks are slipping. Deshaun Watson misses a conversion on fourth down, Jayden Daniels (QB) is intercepted in the end zone and the score remains scoreless. You have to wait halfway through the first quarter to see the first points of the match. On a good defensive sequence, Washington forces a punt from the Browns after only 3 attempts and the attack places itself in ideal position. Austin Ekeler (RB) converts a fourth attempt and Brian Robinson Jr concludes the sequence on the ground.
The quarterbacks are clumsy at the start of the meeting. Deshaun Watson (QB) struggles to find his receivers and fails to convert on the ground. He almost got intercepted twice and ended up getting sacked by Frankie Luvu (LB). While the Browns had started their possession in the Commanders' half, they only recorded three small points on the scoreboard. Not at ease with the pass, Daniels uses his legs while the Browns continue the punts. Brian Robinson once again concludes the action after a great breakthrough from his quarterback. Deshaun Watson and Cleveland can't do it and Daniels, clumsy until then, ends up talking. He finds Dyami Brown (WR) for a magnificent 41-yard touchdown.
Washington leads by a wide margin at the break (24-3) and the domination is as visual as it is statistical. The Browns did not convert any of their 8 attempts in third down and only have 68 yards in total.
And the second half continues in the same vein. Deshaun Watson is catastrophic. Fumble, sack, missed passes…the quarterback shows the full extent of his talent. The Commanders just have to calmly control the match. Jeremy McNichols (RB) scores another touchdown on the ground. Jordan Atkins (WR) may well catch a touchdown, but it's just a trick. The Commanders beat the Browns 34-13.
Deshaun Watson digs again
Shameful. Distressing. There is no shortage of qualifiers to qualify Deshaun Watson's performance. Its stats sheet is even slightly flattering compared to the visual impression left. He finished at 15/28, 125 yards, one touchdown, 7 sacks conceded. Clumsy as possible, he didn't even manage to compensate with the ground game. Watson missed relatively open shots and failed to get his legs to speak, whether to convert important attempts or escape opposing pressure.
Very complicated then for his colleagues in the attack who cannot reasonably be described as at fault. The receivers have to struggle to get a decent pass while the running game cannot impose itself as it becomes so predictable.
Defensively, even if the stats sheet is not flattering, the Browns will not have been unworthy. Jeremiah Owusuh-Koramoah (LB) had a great performance with 5 tackles including two for losses, 1 interception and 1 sack. But it's difficult for a defense to keep pace for an entire game when the offense can't stay on the field.
The observation is simple: as long as Deshaun Watson is at the helm, Cleveland's boat is doomed to sink. If it is complicated to imagine a change at the position due to the former Texan's contract, it would almost be desirable for the Browns to give Jameis Winston control.
A very good collective performance from the Commanders.
Jayden Daniels did not have his best match, finishing at 14/25, 238 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. But he showed himself to be in control, always finding solutions to move his team forward. This is evidenced by his good game on the ground with 11 races for 82 yards. The work pays for the rookie. The ground game in general was up to par with three touchdowns in particular. Austin Ekeler, even if he did not score, was crucial in coming out with sharp races of which he has the secret. He finished with 67 yards on 6 carries. Terry McLaurin (WR) didn't score either but his connection with Daniels allowed him to amass 112 yards in the air. Despite a few sacks conceded, the offensive line held its position rather well against a big defensive squad.
On the other side of the ball, Dan Quinn's men gave Deshaun Watson and Cleveland no respite. Frankie Luvu in particular finished with 7 tackles, 2.5 sacks, helped by Bobby Wagner (LB) and his 6 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The collective performance of the Commanders was impressive and Washington is 4 wins for 1 loss. The hype continues to build in the capital.
