The Cleveland Browns and the Washington football team used to meet on a regular basis.
After joining the NFL in 1950, the Browns would face Washington twice a year just about every season until Cleveland moved to the AFC in 1970 following the NFL-AFL merger.
It was a fruitful rivalry for the Browns as they were 30-5-1 against Washington during those two decades. Even though the two franchises have only met 12 times since the merger, the Browns still hold a dominant 35-12-1 record in the series, including a tidy 17-15-1 mark as the road team.
Very few of the games have been close, although there is one meeting in particular that stands out in the series and that came on November 27, 1988.
The Browns were at RFK Stadium that day and trying to hold onto a playoff berth in a season that saw Cleveland have to start four quarterbacks due to injuries.
Bernie Kosar was under center that day, but the Browns went into the fourth quarter trailing 10-3. Running back Kevin Mack tied the score at 10 with a 1-yard touchdown run that capped off a 16-play drive. Washington answered back with a field goal and the situation was looking bleak for the Browns.
With time running out and the playoffs slipping away, Kosar hit wide receiver Brian Brennan on a key third-down play. Cleveland soon faced another third down when running back Earnest Byner ran up the middle for a 27-yard touchdown to give the Browns the lead.
Moments later cornerback Mark Harper intercepted a Mark Rypien pass to secure the win and keep Cleveland’s playoff hopes alive.
Today’s game may not have the same implications, but the Browns can use a win just as much as they did on that Sunday afternoon 36 years ago. And while we wait for kick off, Dawgs By Nature has the latest news and notes about the Browns and the rest of the NFL in today’s edition of the Sunday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature:
Browns still believe Deshaun Watson gives them ‘best chance to win’ (Thomas Moore) – The Cleveland Browns held a players-only meeting this week to talk about the ongoing issues, but players reportedly still believe in their quarterback.
Browns make 2 roster moves, elevate 2 for Week 5 (Jared Mueller) – Cleveland’s move include the return of guard Michael Dunn.
Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders NFL Week 5 Preview and Prediction (Chris Pokorny) – This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Washington Commanders, one of the hottest teams in football. Below, we analyze a few advantages, disadvantages, or general thoughts about the two teams before getting to our predictions for the game.
Browns roster: 6 tradeable players who could fetch the best trade return (Jared Mueller) – Even if the Cleveland Browns win on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, the roster might look different when the NFL trade deadline hits in a month. While rumors are generally sparse this early, besides Davante Adams hinting at joining the AFC North, Amari Cooper’s name is swirling in media discussions.
Browns-Commanders FanDuel Week 5 prop bets: Bet on Cleveland’s defense limiting Jayden Daniels in some areas (Chris Pokorny) – The Cleveland Browns are on the road against the Washington Commanders in Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season this Sunday, The Browns are 3-point underdogs against the Commanders, and ere are my favorite player prop bets from the Browns’ perspective in Week 5.
Browns fans blame run defense for loss to Raiders, expecting Washington to demolish Cleveland in Week 5 (Chris Pokorny) – Each week during season, Cleveland Browns fans vote in SB Nation Reacts to express their confidence level in the team or their thoughts on other topics.
Commanders depth chart: If Brian Robinson is out, 2 veterans can carry the load (Jared Mueller) – There is a lot to know about Week 5’s matchup in our nation’s capital including that the final injury report has some huge names on it. For Washington, none is bigger than RB Brian Robinson who we had listed as one of three Commanders that could wreck Cleveland’s defense.
Cleveland Browns:
‘I’m in my Lamar mindset’: Browns compare Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels to Ravens star (Beacon Journal) – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah didn’t take long to find the right mental space to be in as the Cleveland Browns turned their attention to the Washington Commanders and their uber-talented rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels this week.
Are the Browns as bad as their 1-3 record says? (cleveland.com) – The high expectations built ahead of the 2024 season have yet to be met by the Browns. So are the Browns as bad as their 1-3 record says, or have they just underperformed?
Defense tired of ‘getting kicked in teeth,’ vows to avoid lulls, play great for 60 minutes (Browns Zone) – Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz rattles off the stretches of dominant possessions his defense has posted this season. They come with a giant caveat.
NFL:
Packers receiver Romeo Doubs suspended by team, doesn’t make trip to Los Angeles for Rams game (Green Bay Press Gazette) – Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs won’t be with the team for its game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. The Packers announced Saturday that Doubs was placed on the reserve/suspended list for one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
Steelers have a Justin Fields blueprint — will they use it? (ESPN) – Throwing on the run, off one foot, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields side-armed a pass to tight end Darnell Washington as his team trailed by three scores in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts. It was a sign of things to come — and the beginnings of a Fields-heavy blueprint the Steelers could use to carry the momentum from the second half of the loss in Indianapolis into the beginning of Sunday night’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
Ex-Detroit Lions quarterback Greg Landry dies at 77 (Detroit Free Press) – Former Detroit Lion Greg Landry, the team’s last Pro Bowl QB for nearly three decades, has died at age 77, the team announced Friday night.
It’s time to talk about Trevor Lawrence (The Ringer) – The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback was hailed as a generational NFL prospect, and until recently, he was one of the league’s best passers. But his performance has plummeted this season. What’s gone wrong?