Series Thread: Forecast Friday: Browns

[Stymietee]

Washington Commanders vs. Cleveland Browns

Date: October 6, 2024

Time: 1:00 PM ET

Location: North-West Field, Landover, Maryland

Broadcast: FOX with Jason Benetti, Greg Olsen Pam Oliver and Washington Commanders Radio Network.

Home sweet home and for the first time all season where the Commanders find themselves as a favorite to win. A 4-1 start to the season is significant if they can pull it off on Sunday as it continues their hold on first place in the division, and can win against one of the better defenses in the game after 4 weeks. The Browns come into this one with the 11th-ranked defense allowing 295.5 yards per game and 7 touchdowns on the season. The Commanders, against such a strong foe, are hoping that their 6th-ranked offense which produces 382 yards per game and has scored 13 touchdowns on the season, continues their impressive march that ends in another victory.

I see this one as a "must-win" game but more on that momentarily. The oddsmakers have the Commanders as 3.5-point favorites as I post this, which suggests that the "experts" still have questions about the home team. Historically the Browns lead the series 35-12-1 having last played January 1st, 2023 with Cleveland prevailing 24-10 at what was then FedExField. Histories aside, my predictions have been off thus far this season, last week suggesting a close one, and this week one that finds the Commanders pulling away as the game progresses. Using that backdrop, I want to see Baltimore and Washington win their respective games this week and by doing so, set up a "must-see" battle of the Beltway game next week.

Here's what they're saying...

My Predictive Game Summaries:

Washington Commanders vs. Cleveland Browns - October 6, 2024, As I see it!

The game started with an exchange of defensive stops from both teams. The Commanders struck first with a field goal by Austin Seibert taking an early 3-0 lead. The Browns responded with a touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper, making it 7-3. However, the Commanders quickly answered back with a touchdown run by Brian Robinson Jr.,/ or McNichols if he’s out ending the first quarter at 10-7 in favor of Washington.

In the second quarter, the Commanders’ defense tightened up, forcing a turnover that led to another field goal by Seibert. The Browns managed to tie the game and take a lead with a pass from Watson to Jerry Jeudy but a late touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Terry McLaurin gave the Commanders a 20-14 lead going into halftime.

Second Half: The third quarter saw the Commanders extend their lead with another touchdown, this time with a beautiful pass from Daniels to Noah Brown* (Zaccheaus/McCaffrey if Brown is out) making it 27-14. The Browns struggled to find their rhythm offensively, with the Commanders’ defense applying constant pressure.

In the fourth quarter, the Browns closed the gap with a touchdown run by Jerome Ford, bringing the score to 27-21. However, the Commanders’ defense held, and a late field goal by Seibert sealed the victory for Washington.

Key Performances:

Jayden Daniels (Commanders): 292 passing yards, 2 touchdowns

Terry McLaurin (Commanders): 8 receptions, 110 yards, 1 touchdown

Noah Brown or Subs above (Commanders): 6 receptions, 72 yards, 1 touchdown

Brian Robinson Jr. or Subs (Commanders): 95 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

Deshaun Watson (Browns): 220 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

Jerome Ford(Browns): 95 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

Final Score: Washington Commanders 30, Cleveland Browns 21

The Commanders’ balanced attack and surprising solid defensive play were crucial in securing this important victory, improving their record to 4-1 on the season. Enjoy the game, everyone!


Ok, there you have it, They've had their say and I've given you mine now what do you predict?... You know the drill! Good luck!


1. Who wins this game?

2. Final score?

3. Player(s) of the game?

4. Memorial moment, event, or play, that will have everyone talking on Monday morning?

 

[Caliskinsfan]

A 4-1 start to the season

Speak it into existence! I’m amazed at how you can spin these entire game scenarios!

Still thinking on my prediction. Have to wait cuz health for both teams is really gonna play a part this game imo

 

[skinsdad62]

I have us pulling out a 23 to 20 win . JD5 gets a few lessons as does Coleman . Our defense will frustrate us , country will make 5 posts telling us our cbs are urine , but in the end they will hold on long enough .

POG. Austin Siebert with the game winner
Water cooler talk , the ravens are the measuring stick

 

[Caliskinsfan]

country will make 5 posts telling us our cbs are urine

lmao!

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Skins 30-14

thinking it might be a breakout game for Luke, and Ertz and Ekeler will see a lot of play

defense has success with pressure/sacks due to Browns injured Oline but still fails to defend the run.

‘Hail to the Redskins‘ breaks out at North West Field Many many times.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Y'all got this.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Really enjoyed this write up from a UK fan…

Christian
30 minutes ago3 min read

Last thoughts heading into the Browns game​

History



The Cleveland Browns lead series 35-12-1.



Look back game:



Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season and the Browns won out 24-10. DeShaun Watson connected with Amari Cooper that day – two TD passes to Cooper – for 46 and 33 yards. Washington’s solo TD was run in by Carson Wentz – a name now consigned to the past! That version of the Commanders really does seem a lifetime ago and underlines the importance of the QB position.



Nick Chubb is a welcome absentee from a Washington POV – he has run over the Commanders twice with 100-yard games in both his match ups vs the burgundy & gold.



Keys to win?



OFFENSE



Handle the blitz.



Both Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jnr are decent receiving RBs and Jayden’s legs and ability to get the ball out quickly are the key here to negate the pass rush ability of Myles Garrett (4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles already in 2024).



I do think Noah Brown is a real miss as he has a way of finding those sweet spots plus his physicality in the Commanders hurry-up OFF.



The only Washington loss this season was the week one defeat on the road in Tampa Bay vs. a blitz heavy DEF. Cleveland, whilst having a number of high-profile OFF guys like Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper and if healthy TE David Njoku, have not been high scoring in 2024 with DeShaun Watson far from hitting his early career heights.



Daniels seems more in tune with his receiving core than Week 1 as he naturally makes strides in the QB position. This might be a lower yards game for Terry McLaurin as he goes up against Denzel Ward, but McLaurin is a good receiver vs man coverage.



Can we continue to see the ball nicely spread around the receiving group? I feel McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus and even Dyami Brown will all be needed today.



DEFENSE



Play as a unit, not as individuals.



The Cleveland OL has been banged up, but it seems a few guys might return to help keep Watson upright. Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin are likely back on the field plus Ethan Pocic at Centre. That’s instantly a much-improved OL for the Browns.



If Watson is given time, he does still have decent pocket awareness and obvious scramble ability (plus weapons as listed already) to hurt a DEF.



Important that the DEF can pressure DeShaun and avoid him getting into a rhythm. Despite their 1-3 record the Browns have been scoring consistently on opening drives, would be a scene setter for the Commanders to halt the early Browns scoring.



Another tough match up potentially for the Commanders CBs, but if they can play to the level, they showed vs the Cardinals, then St Juste and Forbes might be going some ways to trending up as NFL quality-level players in the backfield.



Spotlight players



The Commanders are very much a team first group, all are important across both sides of the ball. But two for the spotlight this week are firstly the RB duo of Robinson Jnr and Ekeler against a good Cleveland DEF. Can they still hit those gaps against the likes of Garrett and JOK?



Second spotlight player: Dorance Armstrong



Can he put together consecutive games and be a real sack-threat on Sunday? Again, this would go some way for Armstrong to be trending upwards as a legitimate threat off the edge. The run game for the Browns without Chubb might present more Watson pass attempts/drop backs ergo more sack opportunities.



Prediction



The Commanders offense moderately hums along for Kliff and co this week – certainly not to the Cardinals road trip level.



A narrow Win at the Northwest Stadium for Washington – 24-21.



Might we see Seibert kick another winning FG as I could see this being a game more like the Giants win given that both New York and Browns have a good DEF on paper.

 

[redskinsfan1963]

I suck at -picking games,so I won,t.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

I suck at -picking games,so I won,t.

Choose the Brownies then…

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Skins 30-14

thinking it might be a breakout game for Luke, and Ertz and Ekeler will see a lot of play

defense has success with pressure/sacks due to Browns injured Oline but still fails to defend the run.

‘Hail to the Redskins‘ breaks out at North West Field Many many times.

. Close