LANDOVER, Md. — Carson Wentz threw three interceptions, while Deshaun Watson threw three touchdown passes in the second half as the Cleveland Browns defeated the Washington Commanders 24-10 on Sunday.
It was an embarassing loss for Washington, as they were eliminated from playoff contention by virtue of Green Bay beating Minnesota. The Browns' playoff hopes had been eliminated last week.
To make matters worse, the hometown fans expressed their displeasure all afternoon as they booed Carson Wentz and chanted for Taylor Heinicke. But their cries were to no avail as head coach Ron Rivera refused to make a quarterback change despite the lackluster offensive performance.
Rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr., who rushed for 87 yards on 24 carries as one of the few bright spots for a Washington (7-8-1) offense that managed just 260 total yards. The majority of those yards, came on a 96-yard drive that resulted in their only touchdown on the day.
Trailing 7-3 after halftime, the Browns (7-9) were able to find the end zone on their opening drive of the half as Deshaun Watson tossed a 46-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper, who able to make Washington's top cornerback Kendall Fuller whiff on an open-field tackle on his was to the end zone.
Cooper finished with just three catches but they totaled105 yards. Nick Chubb ran 14 times for 104 yards and Watson was 9 of 18 for 169 yards and the TD passes to Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Cleveland extended their lead in the final seconds of the third frame, as Watson hit Peoples-Jones for a 13 yard score to give Cleveland a 17-7 lead. Then Watson and Cooper hooked up again for a 33-yard score to deal the final blow to the Commanders' playoff hopes.
Cleveland 3 0 14 7 = 24
Washington 0 7 0 3 = 10
CLE—Cade York 37 field goal, 9:22.
Second Quarter WAS—Carson Wentz 1 run (Joey Slye kick), 0:21. Third Quarter CLE—Amari Cooper 46 pass from Deshaun Watson (Cade York kick), 10:03. CLE—Donovan Peoples-Jones 13 pass from Deshaun Watson (Cade York kick), 0:36. Fourth Quarter WAS—Joey Slye 43 field goal, 10:26. CLE—Amari Cooper 33 pass from Deshaun Watson (Cade York kick), 5:21.
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