CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 1-3 Cleveland Browns travel to Landover, Maryland to take on the upstart 3-1 Commanders in Week 5.
Here’s what we are watching for.
Must win – The Browns can’t afford to fall to 1-4. This is as must win as it gets for any team in early October if they are to have any shot of getting back on track and competing for a return trip to the playoffs.
Closing time – Sure, Deshaun Watson has shown marked improvement the last few weeks, but the Browns aren’t winning and he isn’t getting it done in crunch time. Watson failed to rally against the Giants and Raiders despite the defense holding late and giving him five total possessions top get it done. Living up to a $230 million contract is about more than just completion percentages and touchdown to interception ratios. It’s about winning drives down the stretch and Watson has failed in that regard. Can he do it Sunday?
Dominant Daniels – Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has had an historic start to his NFL career. Daniels has orchestrated more scoring drives (23) than thrown incompletions (19) and his 82.1 completion percentage is the highest through the first four games of a season and the first four games of any player’s career in NFL history. Daniels, who has thrown for 897 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, is also a threat on the ground with over 200 yards rushing and four more touchdowns. Daniels faces Cleveland’s pass defense, which ranks 10th allowing just under 176 yards passing per game.
Back on his feet – Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett is coming off the 18th two-sack performance of his career last week. Garrett, who is up to four sacks, eight QB hits and nine tackles for loss on the season, said on Friday he is feeling the best he’s been to date as he manages the foot pain he has been dealing with.
Welcome back – Tight end David Njoku, right tackle Jack Conklin and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. are all questionable but could play. Njoku appears to be the most game ready after speaking on Friday. Getting Conklin back would be big to push Dawand Jones, who has struggled at right tackle, to the bench. The Browns did not elevate a tackle on Saturday but did activate veteran guard Michael Dunn from the non-football illness list. Dunn could step in at right guard instead of starting rookie Zak Zinter for a second straight game.
Finish it – The Browns have scored 24 points on their opening drives offensively through four games. The problem is the team has scored just 34 points on the other 42 possessions.
Last Time – January 1, 2023: Browns 24, Commanders 10
Series – Browns lead all-time 35-12-1
Last week – Browns lost to the Raiders 20-16; Commanders beat the Cardinals 42-14
How they compare – Here’s a look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Points scored: Browns 16.7, Commanders 30.25
Yards: Browns 246.3, Commanders 382.3
Rushing: Browns 94.8, Commanders 169.3
Passing: Browns 151.5, Commanders 213.0
Points allowed: Browns 25.5, Commanders 21.8
Yards allowed: Browns 299.0, Commanders 357.0
Rushing yards allowed: Browns 123.3, Commanders 136.5
Passing yards allowed: Browns 175.8, Commanders 220.5
Turnover ratio: Browns -2, Commanders +1
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Amari Cooper, LT Jedrick Wills Jr., LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Michael Dunn, RT Dawand Jones, TE David Njoku, QB Deshaun Watson, RB Jerome Ford, WR Elijah Moore, WR Jerry Jeudy
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Shelby Harris, DE Za’Darius Smith, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Devin Bush, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greg Newsome II, CB MJ Emerson, S Grant Delpit, S Rodney McLeod
Injury report – OUT: OT James Hudson III (shoulder), DE Alex Wright (triceps), RB Nick Chubb (knee), RB Nyheim Hines (knee), LB Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbow, triceps); QUESTIONABLE: OT Jack Conklin (hamstring), TE David Njoku (ankle), G Michael Dunn (illness), OT Jedrick Wills (knee), RB Pierre Strong (hamstring)
Uniforms – White jersey, white pants, orange helmet
Broadcast – 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals radio network; WJW TV-8 (FOX)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. Northwest Stadium; Landover, Maryland
Our prediction – Commanders 27, Browns 23
