The Washington (7-7-1) will host what is effectively a playoff game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns (6-9).
, will make their first starts since returning from injuries. But the Commanders are also battling several injuries, with running back Antonio Gibson out and several key contributors questionable.By any metric, Cleveland’s rush defense is among the NFL’s worst. The Browns’ front — with Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney on the edge and Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan inside — seems to be much better at rushing the passer.
If Washington can run the ball effectively, it should help ease Wentz back into the starting role and give him a more advantageous formula than the pass-heavy one offensive coordinator Scott Turner used earlier in the season. “It takes a little bit of the pressure off of him, not throwing,” Turner said Wednesday. “You never know how the game’s going to go; you know, we might have to get into that mode or whatever at some point. But being able to run the ball, having that set up the play action pass, I think that’s just stuff that’ll help him.”In four games, Watson has been imprecise, completing 71 of 123 attempts for 703 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Considering health, the importance of Washington’s defensive front might be magnified, especially if Watson continues trying to use his legs to extend plays. But Cleveland’s offensive line, one of the best in the league, promises to be challenging. Bill Callahan, the former Washington coach, leads the Browns’ line.to get the ball out to his playmakers. Coaches were encouraged, and if the run game can keep the offense on schedule, it will help open up throwing windows for Wentz.
One encouraging sign for Washington’s hopes to sustain its success from the fourth quarter last Saturday: Cleveland’s defense, coordinated by Joe Woods, is similar to San Francisco’s.“They like to do the same types of things,” Turner said. They have some really good rushers, just like San Francisco has, personnel-wise. Some really good players in the secondary. … Denzel Ward is a top corner. But scheme-wise … it’s very close.
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