For the second week in a row the Washington Commanders had a double-digit lead at the half and never looked back. The 24-3 halftime lead against the Cleveland Browns turned into a 34-13 win as the Commanders lead the NFC East with a 4-1 record.
This season the Commanders are pleasantly surpassing fan expectations (or at least my expectations) with an offense that has scored at least 34 points in the past three games. Jayden Daniels is breaking NFL records not only for a rookie quarterback but for NFL veteran quarterbacks. And, for two consecutive wins, the game was comfortably in hand early in the fourth quarter.
While Deshaun Watson’s play had Cleveland fans wishing for Baker Mayfield—or maybe Brian Sipe–the Browns defense remained impressive going into Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.
Jayden Daniels had little to no time getting blitzed, unable to perform as he had in the previous three games. Then, Daniels threw his second interception of the season early in the first quarter after a 66-yard grab by Terry McLaurin to the Cleveland 3-yard line. Daniels found McLaurin rolling out to his right to avoid the rush but on third and goal, Daniels forced a pass to tight end Zach Ertz and it ended up in the hands of Cleveland linebacker Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah at the Cleveland 1 yard line.
While the Commanders had no margin for error just a few games ago, this team has progressed so quickly in offense, special teams and defense that there is now a margin.
The Commanders held the Browns to three plays and a punt following the interception and a short punt to the Cleveland 49 was returned 15 yards by Olamide Zaccheaus to the Cleveland 34-yard line. Daniels quickly led the offense to the 4 yard line as Brian Robinson, Jr., bulled into the end zone for a 7-0 lead. One turnover just delayed the first Commanders touchdown.
After Daniels threw a brilliant 41-yard touchdown pass into the hands of Dymitri Brown before the first half ended to take a 24-3 lead, the Commanders received the second half kickoff at their own 30 and McLaurin caught a quick 2-yard pass. Owusu- Koramoah caused McLaurin to fumble the ball and Cleveland recovered at the Washington 30. Just like that, Cleveland could have turned the momentum in their favor with a two-score game
But this Commanders team held the Browns to a field goal. Meantime, the Browns appeared out of synch having problems calling a play on fourth down. Without stopping the clock to bring in the play, the Browns had a 5-yard delay penalty. Despite two turnovers, the Commanders only paid the price of three points and a jolt of confidence for the defense.
The special teams held off Browns kickoff and punt returners from making any game breaking runs and, in fact, made them pay the price on a few runbacks. Austin Seibert was again perfect on two field goal attempts and four extra points.
The offensive line has been opening holes for the run and giving Daniels enough time to throw or to see an opening for running out of the pocket. With the offensive line creating holes and receivers learning how to block, one or two major offensive weapons can create numerous weapons on offense,
With a 24-6 score, the Commanders took over at their 20-yard line following the kickoff. After a 4-yard run by Austin Ekeler, Daniels threw a 23-yard strike to McLaurin. Then, Daniels dropped back, scrambled and ran 23 yards down field to the Cleveland 30-yard line before running out of bounds. Daniels has learned to slide, run out of bounds and protect himself and that’s another sign of progress in this young season.
Brown not only scored the touchdown before the end of the first half but on 3rd and 7 he made a key 16-yard catch to the Cleveland 11-yard line for a first down. Ekeler ran two yards, Daniels scrambled to the right side for 6 yards and running back Jeremy McNichols took a handoff into the end zone for a 34-6 Commanders lead.
All during the drive—and other offensive drives—the Commanders commanded the tempo snapping it quickly or taking longer. They kept the Browns defense off balance just as they have been doing to three other opponents this season.
And just as offensive players are on a faster learning curve than the defense, there are now weapons cropping up on defense as well.
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu has caused havoc for quarterbacks in the past two weeks. Against the Browns, Luvu intercepted a ball that awkwardly left the hands of Watson. Former Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong is beginning to shine on the Commanders defensive line and for Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner still plays like a Hall of Famer.
Communication on defense is a learning curve but players like safety Jeremy Chinn, cornerbacks Benjamin St. Juste and Noah Igbinoghene, and defensive back Quan Martin, are listening to the signals and stepping up in coverage.
On a day when the Ravens barely came out of Cincinnati with a 41-38 win and the Cardinals pulled out a 24-23 win over the 49ers in San Francisco, Commanders quarterback said “on any given Sunday” meaning that any team can beat any other team. The phrase has never been more true than in today’s NFL and a 4-1 team on top of the NFC East is only as safe until the next given Sunday.
After five weeks, the Commanders have exceeded expectations and next Sunday they will travel down the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to meet the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. It’s a major test for a team that has passed many tests so far this year. But getting better means the ability to compete against championship teams.
There is no question the Commanders are a good team but next Sunday will be an indicator of just how good this team is right now and their potential for the 2024 season.
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