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QBs Watson, Howell have solid starts, Brissett has TD run in Commanders' 17-15 win over Browns
CLEVELAND (AP) Deshaun Watson feels like he's finally back to being himself.
Everything that prevented him from playing like an elite quarterback in 2022 - the long layoff, a lengthy suspension - has been shaken free.
“I’m not thinking about no rust," he said. “That was last year. I missed ball."
Watson came within a yard of a perfect start to his preseason, and Jacoby Brissett had a TD run in his return to Cleveland as the Washington Commanders beat the Browns 17-15 on Friday night in an exhibition delayed more than an hour at the start by a storm.
Watson took the Browns (1-1) on a 67-yard drive to Washington's 1-yard line in his one series.
His performance - 3 of 3 for 12 yards, 20 yards rushing - was far better than his preseason debut a year ago, when he completed just one pass at Jacksonville just days before being suspended by the NFL.
“I wouldn’t say satisfied because we didn’t get into the end zone,” he said. “But it was exactly what the coaching staff wanted us to do.”
Washington's Sam Howell, who is trying to hold onto his starting job, threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson and had a few other nice moments in his two series. He finished 9 of 12 for 77 yards.
Howell was replaced by Brissett, who went 4-7 in 11 starts for Cleveland in 2022 while Watson was out. The 30-year-old scampered 12 yards for a score in the second quarter to put the Commanders (1-0) ahead 14-2.
When he came in, Brissett received a loud ovation from Cleveland fans.
“That was awesome,” he said. “Did not expect that. I really enjoyed my time here. A lot of the people, the players, the coaches, and the staff there I have a lot of respect and love for that organization.”
Browns rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw a TD pass to David Bell in the third, and Kellen Mond's 20-yard scoring pass to Mike Harley Jr. with 1:39 left brought Cleveland within 17-15.
The Browns' 2-point attempt failed.
The opening kickoff was pushed back 70 minutes by a thunderstorm that blew in just before the scheduled 7:38 p.m. start.
Fans were advised to “seek shelter immediately" and many scurried from their seats into the concourses and stadium tunnel ways. During the delay, Commanders coach Ron Rivera and several of his players came out of the locker room to check on the weather and to find out if there would be a game.
Rivera and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski decided to play most of their starters despite the wet field conditions.
Watson arrived at Browns Stadium wearing a No. 32 Jim Brown throwback jersey. The team invested $230 million in him despite Watson being accused of sexual assault and harassment by more than two dozen women.
Even when he returned, Watson rarely played up to expectations while going 3-3 in six starts. The Browns are counting on much more this season - so is Watson.
“I played six games last year, and I had a full offseason," he said. "So I’m not using no excuses for rust or anything like that. I’ve got to be ready for this moment. So all that rust and all the other stuff that’s left in 2022, I’m focused on 2023 and making sure that I’m ready for September 10 (the season opener).”
Watson's got some new weapons and he quickly connected with one, throwing a 6-yard pass to Elijah Moore on Cleveland's first play. Watson also showed his elusiveness, pulling free from Chase Young for a 9-yard run.
Moore left the field after Cleveland's opening series. The team said X-rays on his ribs were negative.
COMMAND CONTROL
It was Washington's first game under new owner Josh Harris, who intends to take the franchise in a positive direction after Dan Snyder's troubled tenure.
Rivera presented Harris with a game ball.
“It was a preseason game, and we told him a win's a win, and you can always keep this one," Rivera said. “The guys were pretty fired up and looking forward to the opportunity to give him one for real.”
The Commanders did have a bit of a turbulent week.
Rivera had to clarify his remarks after making headlines by saying some players had expressed concern over first-year offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's fiery style.
That all seems in the past now.
“I thought his play-calling was really good,” Rivera said about Bieniemy. “I love his positivity when he's talking to the quarterback. He would call a play and tell them, ‘Hey this should work, let’s go get it.' I just love the way he does that.”
KICKING MAD
Cleveland's Cade York had his second miss of the preseason, pushing a 46-yarder right in the third quarter. He missed a 49-yarder last week. Stefanski, though, insists he's not lost confidence in York, who also struggled as a rookie.
"I think Cade is working his craft like all young players do, so very confident in him,” Stefanski said.
INJURIES
Commanders: LBs Milo Eifler and De'Jon Harris were both shaken up when they collided breaking up a pass in the third quarter.
Browns: CB A.J. Green (shoulder) was hurt in the first half. ... LB Jacob Phillips (shoulder) went out in the third.
UP NEXT
Commanders: Host Baltimore on Aug. 21.
Browns: Head to Philadelphia for a pair of joint practices against the defending NFC champions before an exhibition on Thursday. The teams had a similar week against each other last year in Cleveland.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | 28:25 | 31:35 |
1st Downs | 17 | 23 |
Rushing | 7 | 6 |
Passing | 9 | 14 |
Penalty | 1 | 3 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-11 | 7-14 |
4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 1-2 |
Total Net Yards | 276 | 374 |
Total Plays | 58 | 72 |
Avg Gain | 4.8 | 5.2 |
Net Yards Rushing | 111 | 117 |
Rush Attempts | 27 | 30 |
Avg Rush Yards | 4.1 | 3.9 |
Net Yards Passing | 165 | 257 |
Comp. - Att. | 20-29 | 27-41 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.3 | 6.1 |
Penalties - Yards | 7-55 | 5-39 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 2 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 2 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 4-45.5 | 4-57.0 |
Return Yards | 107 | 104 |
Punts - Returns | 2-24 | 2-5 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 2-41 | 4-99 |
Int. - Returns | 1-42 | 2-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 1-2 -50% | 1-2 -50% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 1-2 -50% |
Safeties | 0 | 1 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
S. Howell
14 QB
9 FPTS
|
S. Howell | 9/12 | 77 | 1 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brissett
12 QB
8 FPTS
|
J. Brissett | 6/10 | 75 | 0 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fromm
11 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Fromm | 5/7 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Rodriguez Jr.
23 RB
3 FPTS
|
C. Rodriguez Jr. | 5 | 39 | 0 | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Robinson Jr.
8 RB
2 FPTS
|
B. Robinson Jr. | 3 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Patterson
32 RB
1 FPTS
|
J. Patterson | 6 | 16 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brissett
12 QB
8 FPTS
|
J. Brissett | 2 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Howell
14 QB
9 FPTS
|
S. Howell | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Gore
RB
4 FPTS
|
D. Gore | 4 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Gibson
24 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Gibson | 2 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fromm
11 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Fromm | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. Pringle
13 WR
4 FPTS
|
B. Pringle | 2 | 1 | 32 | 0 | 32 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Turner
85 TE
7 FPTS
|
C. Turner | 4 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 13 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dotson
1 WR
11 FPTS
|
J. Dotson | 2 | 2 | 30 | 1 | 26 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Tinsley
86 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Tinsley | 1 | 1 | 26 | 0 | 26 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Brown
2 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Brown | 2 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Gibson
24 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Gibson | 3 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Milne
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Milne | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Samuel
4 WR
2 FPTS
|
C. Samuel | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. McLaurin
17 WR
1 FPTS
|
T. McLaurin | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Gore
RB
4 FPTS
|
D. Gore | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Kemp
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Kemp | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hodges
80 TE
0 FPTS
|
C. Hodges | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Allen
10 WR
1 FPTS
|
K. Allen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Robinson Jr.
8 RB
2 FPTS
|
B. Robinson Jr. | 1 | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 | 2 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
R. Wildgoose
37 CB
|
R. Wildgoose | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hudson
47 LB
|
K. Hudson | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Eifler
46 LB
|
M. Eifler | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Forrest
22 SAF
|
D. Forrest | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reaves
39 DB
|
J. Reaves | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Martin
20 CB
|
J. Martin | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. Gardner
50 LB
|
F. Gardner | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Harris
45 LB
|
D. Harris | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Burgess
24 SAF
|
T. Burgess | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Whittaker
39 CB
|
J. Whittaker | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Fields
38 DB
|
D. Fields | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Butler
35 SAF
|
P. Butler | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Sweat
90 DE
|
M. Sweat | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Smith-Williams
96 DE
|
J. Smith-Williams | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Barton
57 LB
|
C. Barton | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Kalu
28 DB
|
J. Kalu | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Jones
48 DE
|
A. Jones | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Anderson
92 DT
|
A. Anderson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. St-Juste
25 CB
|
B. St-Juste | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Holmes
34 CB
|
C. Holmes | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Castro-Fields
26 CB
|
T. Castro-Fields | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Davis
52 LB
|
J. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Obada
97 DE
|
E. Obada | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pryor
59 DE
|
J. Pryor | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Bradley-King
56 DE
|
W. Bradley-King | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Smith
40 DB
|
K. Smith | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Curl
31 SAF
|
K. Curl | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Forbes
13 CB
|
E. Forbes | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Toohill
95 DE
|
C. Toohill | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Mayo
51 OLB
|
D. Mayo | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Slye
6 K
|