Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 1, 2016 STATS LLC Associated Press Sep 28, 2016 LANDOVER, Md. -- The Washington Redskins are heavy favorites to beat the winless Cleveland Browns on Sunday at FedEx Field. But do not tell that to them. The Redskins earned a big victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, but remain in an early hole in the NFC East at 1-2. A loss to the Browns (0-3) would be a massive setback, especially with a difficult schedule looming late in the season. "I just don't see it as a trap game," Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "I don't see any game in the NFL as a trap game. "I mean, we're 1-2. "What are we feeling comfortable about, I mean we have to win in the sense that we want to get to 2-2, and we got a lot to play for. We're at home. So, I think those words just don't even enter my, or our, vocabulary." That's because the Browns, despite a rebuilding movement under first-year head coach Hue Jackson, are just a few plays away from being 2-1. That wasn't expected. Cleveland was ahead 20-0 at home against Baltimore before losing two weeks ago. The Browns lost to Miami in overtime on the road last Sunday after missing three field goals. Cleveland even was competitive for a time on the road against Philadelphia in the opener. "You have to close out when you have to close out," Browns wide receiver Terelle Pryor said. "You can't make excuses when you lose. It's a good sign and a good feel for the team to keep on continuing and move forward because we're right there in each game. "I feel like we can battle with anybody in the league. This is going to be a test also, going against the Redskins, and we look forward to it." Pryor played quarterback and receiver against the Dolphins and finished with 204 yards of offense -- 144 receiving, 35 passing and 25 rushing. That gives Washington something to think about on defense. Cleveland has used four quarterbacks this season, if you include Pryor's limited attempts. But with former Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (shoulder) and Josh McCown (shoulder) both out, they will have to start rookie Cody Kessler again. Kessler made his NFL debut in the Miami game and struggled some. But he finished 21 for 33 for 244 yards and -- most important -- no bad fumbles or interceptions. It was a decent start. Washington started the year 0-2 with losses to Pittsburgh and Dallas, and was facing a disastrous start attempting to defend its NFC East title. But the Redskins held on late against the Giants with timely interceptions from rookie linebacker Su'a Cravens and second-year cornerback Quinton Dunbar. But there were plenty of opportunities for them to lose that game, too. The defense still struggled in coverage as Odell Beckham Jr. gashed them for 121 yards receiving. And the run defense has been a little better in recent weeks, but was exposed in the blowout loss to the Steelers, 38-16. "I don't think we're in a position to overlook any team," wide receiver DeSean Jackson said. Jackson has been a difficult matchup for all three of Washington's opponents, with five receptions for more than 25 yards. But look out for second-year receiver Jamison Crowder, too, who is tied for the team lead with 16 receptions. He had a brilliant 55-yard touchdown on a tunnel screen against the Giants and caught another scoring pass against Dallas. Crowder even set a career-high with a 50-yard punt return in the Giants game. He's become a dangerous playmaker. "It would be selling him short to say he's a better player now than he was last year," Cousins said. "He was really good last year. I mean, he's just, he's a rookie, he's a fourth-round pick. We're trying to find out how he fits. "We're thinking that Pierre (Garcon) and DeSean (Jackson) and Jordan (Reed) are going to be the guys that we get the ball to, and then suddenly he just starts showing up time and again in training camp last year and early in the season, and we started saying, 'Wow, we've got to get him more involved.'" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 1, 2016 I'm not calling a shot for a Browns win, they haven't earned that respect yet. But if anyone would fuck this up, it'll be the Redskins. 24 21 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted October 1, 2016 24 31 KESSLER TRAIN PULLING UP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) 1st of many, Cody. Isiah Crowell is a MAN this season Edited October 2, 2016 by Bay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barracuda 629 Posted October 3, 2016 4 consecutive scoring drives, 3 consecutive drives ending with a turnover (all in the fourth quarter with the lead). You just never fucking know what your gonna get. Except heartbreak, that's always in there somewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 3, 2016 I think the Browns are very close though. They have a lot of young guys, and Jackson does a great job of working with what he has. I think they'll be very good down the line with time. Although a loss is still a loss, they gotta learn how to finish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 3, 2016 I'm with DMac, but the Browns organization needs to stick with Hue through at least two rough seasons. There's hope, but it's going to be a process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted October 4, 2016 Refs sure didn't help out the Browns either. Take a look at the :08 mark of this video, on the left side. Duke Johnson is standing there holding the football aloft. The (female) ref is staring at the pile- where the ball, need I remind you, no longer is- and then signals Washington football. While Duke is holding onto it. https://twitter.com/jaycrawfordespn/status/782670067913875461 Guy is wrong that he never loses the ball, but Duke clearly recovers it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites