Commanders crush Browns, off to first 4-1 start since ’08
Brian Robinson ran for two touchdowns and Jayden Daniels threw for another on Sunday as the Washington Commanders won their fourth straight game, routing the visiting Cleveland Browns 34-13 in Landover, Md.
Robinson scored on two short runs before Daniels launched a 41-yard touchdown to Dyami Brown late in the second quarter to propel Washington into halftime ahead 24-3. The Commanders outgained Cleveland 434-212 and improved to 4-1 for the first time since 2008.
Daniels completed 14 of 25 passes for 238 yards and an interception. The rookie quarterback also led Washington with 82 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin tallied a game-high 112 receiving yards on four catches. Austin Ekeler added 67 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards for Washington.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was sacked seven times and managed 125 yards with a touchdown on 15-of-28 passing. Jerome Ford ran for a team-high 47 yards on nine carries as Cleveland (1-4) lost its third straight game.
Washington went up 7-0 one series after Daniels was intercepted at Cleveland’s 1-yard line. The Commanders forced a three-and-out and took over at the Browns’ 34. Ekeler ran for 10 yards on fourth-and-2 and Robinson’s 4-yard run on the next play delivered the game’s first score with 2:40 left in the opening quarter.
After both teams traded field goals, Daniels’ 34-yard scramble on fourth-and-6 set up Robinson’s 1-yard plunge to put the Commanders up 17-3 with 3:11 to play in the first half.
Washington forced the Browns’ fifth three-and-out of the half to get the ball back at the 1:35 mark. Daniels hit Brown deep down the right sideline for a 41-yard score to cap a five-play, 62-yard drive.
Cleveland was outgained 283-67 in the opening half while going 0-for-8 on third down and 0-for-1 on fourth down.
The Browns wasted a chance at a touchdown after McLaurin’s fumble on the first play of the second half. Cleveland drove to the 2-yard line but settled for Dustin Hopkins’ 31-yard kick to pull within 24-6.
Washington responded with a nine-play, 80-yard march capped by Jeremy McNichols’ 3-yard run. Austin Seibert’s 30-yard field goal with 2:35 left in the third put the Commanders up 34-6.
Watson connected with Jordan Akins for a 10-yard score to make it 34-13 with 7:02 left in the game.
–Field Level Media