Browns offense can’t overcome slow start
The Browns and Commanders combined for five three-and-out drives in the first quarter as both offenses looked sluggish to start the game. The Commanders offense picked up the pace, scoring 24 points before halftime. The Browns did not, scoring just a field goal in the game’s first 30-minutes.
The Commanders struck first with the first explosive play of the day. Daniels faced instant pressure from S Grant Delpit and CB Greg Newsome II, rolled to the right and unleashed a 66-yard shot to a streaking WR Terry McLaurin. Ward tackled McLaurin before he reached the end zone – a touchdown-saving play that paid off a few plays later when LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah made a diving interception to get the ball back for the Browns offense.
The Browns offense couldn’t capitalize on the defense’s first interception of the season, however, going three-and-out and giving the ball right back to the Commanders offense, which scored the first points of the day with a Brian Robinson Jr. touchdown run.
Cleveland got on the scoreboard at the beginning of the second quarter. After the offense stalled out in Commanders territory, K Dustin Hopkins connected on a 51-yard field goal. It would be their only score of the first half, as Watson completed just eight of his 18 passing attempts for 66 yards and the Browns rushing offense totaled just 14 yards at halftime.
After punting six times in the first half, Cleveland had dug itself a deep hole in the form of a 21-point deficit, which only grew in the second half until the game was already out of hand.
