Deshaun Watson, Browns get win vs. Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, Md. — The weather was perfect for New Year’s Day. It was also perfect for the Browns offense to finally come alive with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
Watson threw three second-half touchdowns to help spark the Browns to a 24-10 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. It was one more touchdown pass in two quarters of one game than he had thrown in his first four starts of the season for Cleveland combined.
After a rough first half in which Watson was just 3-of-8 passing for 23 yards, he came alive in the second half. He completed 6 of 10 second-half passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns.
For the game, Watson was 9-of-18 for 169 yards with the three touchdowns. He finished with a passer rating of 122.5.
The win improved the Browns to 7-9 heading into the season finale next weekend at Pittsburgh. The game against the Steelers hasn’t been set for a date or time, and could fall either Saturday or Sunday.
The win also eliminated the Commanders from the NFC playoff hunt, one week after the Browns saw their own playoff hopes dashed. Washington (7-8-1) needed to win out to have a chance at the No. 7 seed.
Browns let promising first drive go off the rails
After an offsides call on the Commanders, the Browns had a first down at midfield on their first drive. They ended up punting it way from their own 30.
How did that happen? A first-down holding call on Joel Bitonio put the Browns behind the chains, then Watson was sacked by Daron Payne on second down to just send the whole drive off the rails.
Washington quarterback Carson Wentz gives the Browns a gift to set up first score
Sacks were a problem for Watson. The Browns, at least early on, benefitted from Carson Wentz’s propensity to throw into coverage.
On Washington’s first possession, Wentz threw an out route on third-and-6 from his own 24, in theory to Terry McLaurin. The problem for him was that Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was perfectly positioned to intercept the pass and set Cleveland up at the Commanders 36.
It’s Ward’s third pick of the season, and second in the last three games. Three points, though, were all the Browns got off the interception after their drive stalled out on the Commanders 19, leaving Cade York to kick a 37-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.