
This was not a pretty game, but the Commanders defense had 7 sacks and the offense was 2-2 on 4th down conversions
The Commanders, having a roster that featured 33 new players, including 17 new starters, entered Week 5 with a 1-game lead on the Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East and a chance to cement that lead for at least another week. The Browns came in on a two-game losing streak and trying to find a way to right the ship.
Washington had the attention of the NFL world following a Week 3 Monday night shootout (which they won) against the Bengals. That game featured several big plays offensively, but a 27-yard touchdown throw to Terry McLaurin at the right sideline in the endzone for a back-breaking 12-point lead with 02:10 on the clock is still one of the highlight plays of the 2024 season.
Heading directly from Cincinnati to Arizona, the Commanders hung 42 points on the Cardinals. Jayden Daniels sported an 82% completion rate through 4 games. To begin the season, his passes had been short and safe, but in Weeks 3 & 4 he had been increasingly aggressive as he looked to run less and rely more and more on Terry McLaurin, who put up 164 yards against the Bengals and Cardinals after tallying just 39 receiving yards in the opening two games.
The 3-1 Commanders had played three road games, and this return to Northwest Stadium was welcome, as was the opponent. Although much was made pre-game of the challenge of a rookie quarterback facing Myles Garrett in a Jim Schwartz coached defense that was 18-6-1 vs rookie QBs, Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson was struggling, and expectations were high for Washington’s second-consecutive home victory behind a suddenly red-hot offense that had scored 80 points in 6 days on the road in Weeks 3 & 4.
Those expectations were met. The Commanders out-played the overmatched Browns, and by the middle of the 4th quarter, Dan Quinn had inserted Marcus Mariota to ‘mop up’ for Jayden Daniels.
First Quarter
Browns
Washington kicked off, and, following the return, the Browns started the first offensive drive at the 30-yard line. After a quick first down, the Browns faced 3rd & 3 at the Washington 49 yard line. The run was stopped by DE Dorance Armstrong to force the Browns to go for it on 4th & 1. The play was short, and the Commanders forced a turnover on downs, taking over at their own 47 yard line. It was a strong start for Washington’s defense.
The Commanders defense get a stop on 4th down at midfield against the Browns, who swapped Deshaun Watson for Jameis Winston for this pitch play.
Interesting!#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/StOdTPXj4M
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Commanders
After two unsuccessful runs, the Commanders faced 3rd & 10; on the third down play, Jayden Daniels was sacked by Zadarius Smith to force the punt. So far, the game is a defensive battle.
Browns
Washington’s defense forced a 3 & out, and the Browns punted on 4th & 17.
On a fair catch by punt returner Olamide Zachheaus, a Browns player hit him hard, drawing a penalty flag and setting up the second Commanders offensive drive at the Washington 34-yard line.
Zaccheaus had called for the fair catch, but still gets popped on the Punt Return.
15 yard penalty means the Commanders second drive on offense is starting from good field position.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/wN6zfNApiK
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Commanders
Again, the Browns defense put the brakes on Washington with a loss on first down and another incomplete pass on 2nd down to bring up 3rd & 13. Daniels escaped heavy pressure on the pass rush, scrambled to his right, and then threw a ball about 50 yards in the air to Terry McLaurin for a 66-yard gain to set up 1st & goal at the 3-yard line. We’d seen glimpses from Daniels and McLaurin before this, but this play was a shot across the bow for NFL defenses to warn them what they’d be up against as the Commanders offense continued to gel. That 82% completion rate wasn’t built only on screen passes and clean pockets.
This kid is incredible.
: #CLEvsWAS on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9RdWLZ9hiJ— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Like last week, when he scored a touchdown on a called run, Daniels tried to run the ball right, but got stopped for a 2-yard loss, followed by an incomplete pass on 2nd down. With 3rd & goal from the 5-yard line, Daniels made a terrible decision. Targeting Zach Ertz, JD5 threw his 2nd career interception at the goal line; it was pulled in by Brown’s linebacker JOK.
Jayden Daniels intercepted in the redzone and that’s the first redzone possession Washington has not scored on in season 2024. pic.twitter.com/02esUYTQKk
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Browns
In this scoreless defensive battle, Cleveland’s offense started its 3rd offensive drive of the game at their own 1-yard line with 07:33 remaining in the 1st quarter. They couldn’t get past the 5-yard line, and punted for the third time in the first quarter.
On the punt, Washington’s returner, Zaccheaus fielded the ball near midfield and returned it to the Browns 35-yard line where the Commanders set up for their 3rd offensive drive with the score tied 0-0 with about 6 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Zaccheaus with a nice return on the Punt and the Commanders drive starts in Field Goal range. #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/GyeHYWZQH9
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Commanders
At this point, it was feeling like this game might be decided by a score of 6-3, but the Commanders finally got on track with a touchdown drive on this possession, and would end up scoring 34 points in the remaining 3 1⁄2 quarters.
Washington got a quick first down, but the Browns played good defense, and the drive stalled after 4 plays, but Dan Quinn decided to go for it on 4th & 2 at Cleveland’s 14-yard line, eschewing the chip shot field goal. They handed it to Austin Ekeler, returning from a missed game due to concussion, on a jet sweep with two tight ends blocking on the right side. It looked for a moment as if he’d be trapped behind the line, but he made the first down to set Washington up with 1st & goal at the 4-yard line.
Commanders go for it on a 4th and (long) 2. Ekeler gets the carry and cuts inside nicely on the sweep run.
First down!#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/64uCvNj1gr
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
On the next play, Brian Robinson broke a tackle near the line of scrimmage and ran the ball in for the first score of the game. It was 7-0 with 02:40 remaining in the first quarter.
In goes @BrianR_4 for a @Commanders TD
: #CLEvsWAS on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/AshTdKcKgd— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
After a couple of frustrating drives, the Commanders had found a groove.
Browns
On the subsequent kickoff, the Browns set up for the 4th Cleveland drive of the game at the 28-yard-line.
After two fruitless plays, the Browns faced another 3rd & long, needing 10 yards for a first down. Deshaun Watson scrambled, but gained only 5 yards to complete another 3 & out series.
The Browns punted, and managed to down the ball at the Washington 2-yard line with about a minute left in the quarter.
Commanders
Washington went 3 & out and Tress Way punted from under his own goal posts to end the quarter.
Second Quarter
Browns
Cleveland opened the 2nd quarter with the ball on their own 48-yard line. The Browns offense had managed just 25 yards of offense in the first quarter — 14 passing and 11 rushing yards. They would need to take advantage of this strong field position.
Watson hit Amari Cooper for 19 yards on 2nd & 10 to get deep into Commanders’ territory. A penalty on the next play, brought up 1st & 15 at the Washington 29 yard line. After a pair of incompletions — the second nearly picked off by Quan Martin — it was 3rd & 15.
Frankie Luvu sacked Deshaun Watson — the first of the day for Washington’s D — to force a 51-yard field goal attempt by Cleveland kicker Dustin Hopkins. It was good, making the score 7-3 with about 13 minutes remaining in the half.
Following the kickoff return by Ekeler, the Commanders started their fifth offensive drive of the day at their own 20.
Commanders
The first-down play was a simple handoff to Austin Ekeler off tackle to the right. He scampered 57 yards to the Cleveland 23-yard line.
A largely forgotten contribution from Olamide Zaccheaus came on this play when he alertly and immediately recovered Ekeler’s fumble to prevent the turnover.
WOW
Ekeler busts out a HUGE run on the first play of the drive, but the ball comes loose at the end of the play and Zaccheaus is there to fall on it.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/1IHxEkJK4C
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Two plays later, it was Brian Robinson’s turn. He broke three tackles on the way to a 9-yard gain to bring up 3rd & 1 at the Cleveland 14-yard line. Jayden Daniels kept the ball around the right end to earn the needed 1 yard and set the team up 1st & 10 at the 13-yard line.
Unable to punch in the TD, Dan Quinn brought Austin Seibert out for a 27-yard field goal attempt. Seibert, prior to this kick, had been perfect in his short Commanders career. He remained perfect, hitting his 11th field goal on the season to lift the score to 10-3 with 08:41 remaining in the half.
Browns
Again trailing by a touchdown, the Browns started their next drive at the 31-yard line. After a pair of short runs, Washington forced 3rd & 8 at the 33-yard line. At this point, the Browns were 0-5 on third down.
They fell to 0-6 when the Commanders defensive line got heavy pressure on Watson, sacking him for no gain. Cleveland punted, having earned just 2 first downs and gained just 42-yards of total offense with 06:48 left in the second quarter.
Following the punt, Washington set up for its 6th offensive drive of the half at their own 26-yard line.
Commanders
Washington’s offense had shown flashes during the first five drives, but had managed just 10 points and had suffered an interception and Ekeler had put the ball on the ground when he fumble at the end of his long run.
The game was about to break open now, as the Commanders would score touchdowns on three of its next four possessions to take control of the game. This would be an efficient 10-play drive with 5 first downs (including one conversion on 4th & 3), culminating in another Brian Robinson touchdown.
A key play in the drive came on the 4th down play when Daniels escaped a good pass rush and ran down the right sideline for 34 yards. A defensive holding penalty added 5 yards to set the Commanders up with a 1st & goal at the 3-yard line. The run gave Daniels the record for most rushing yards by a rookie QB in his first 5 games. It also kept the Commanders perfect at 8 of 8 on 4th down for the season.
Jayden Daniels picks up the first down and more!
: #CLEvsWAS on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/gBR7UhZV0p— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Two plays later, Brian Robinson ran in a 1-yard touchdown. Following the PAT, the Commanders held a 17-3 lead with 03:11 remaining in the half.
One more time for @BrianR_4 #RaiseHail
: #CLEvsWAS on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/pdyulYiB78— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Browns
When Cleveland took the field again, the Commanders held tough on two plays to bring up yet another 3rd down for the Browns as the 2-minute warning arrived. The Browns were averaging 2.0 yards per play and had yet to convert a third-down in the game.
After the timeout, the Commander defense swarmed the Browns offensive line to sack Watson again, with Bobby Wagner getting credit for the sack on this jail break.
SACK
This might be the single most dominant team sack I’ve seen from Washington in 5 years.
What an insanely good effort from every defender here.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/mbzzWoyVIe
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Following the punt and return, the Commanders set up for their final drive of the half at their 38-yard line.
Commanders
This would be a quick touchdown drive.
On 3rd & 3 from the Washington 45-yard line with 44 seconds left in the half, Daniels hit McLaurin for 11 yards.
Two plays later, Dyami Brown got behind the defense, and Jayden Daniels hit him in-stride for a 41-yard touchdown that Brown pulled down 2-yards into the end zone.
Jayden Daniels let it rip
: #CLEvsWAS on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ph6x4BKxlW— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Following the extra point, the Commanders held a 24-3 lead.
Cleveland got the ball with just 30 seconds left on the clock and 78 yards away from the Washington end zone. The Browns managed to be flagged twice in the short time left before halftime. The Browns punted; the ball was not fielded, and the half ended as the ball rolled to a stop.
The Washington Commanders would get the ball to open the 2nd half.
y’all having fun?#CLEvsWAS | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/d1epihyp7p
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 6, 2024
Halftime Stats


Statistics via ESPN
Third Quarter
Leading 24-3, the Commanders started the second half with the ball for their 8th offensive drive of the day at the 30-yard line having dominated on plays run, yards gained, time of possession and — of course — points scored in the first half. Kingsbury and Daniels needed to keep their foot on the gas to finish this one out and add an important win.
This drive would be the second-biggest blemish of the game, resulting in the Browns’ second takeway of the day.
On the first play of the half, JOK punched the ball out of Terry McLaurin’s hands to force a fumble. The Browns took over on the Commanders 30-yard line with a chance to take advantage of a huge turnover.
McLaurin gets the carry on an end-around but loses the ball with a perfect peanut-punch.
Fumble lost, Cleveland ball.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/UGpUTv95HI
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Browns
Two plays later, following a 19-yard completion to Amari Cooper, the Browns had 1st & goal at the 2-yard line and a chance, after getting completely out-played in the first half, to get right back in the game.
A false start pushed the ball back to the 5-yard line.
Needing a score, the Browns used their first time out. On the subsequent play, Deshaun Watson scrambled, didn’t do it quite right, and got blasted by Dorance Armstrong for a 1-yard loss and another sack.
BANG
Dorance Armstrong doesn’t give up on the play, and lays the HUGE HIT on Deshaun Watson.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/n75hOv52qt
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Unable to sort things out offensively, the Browns took a delay of game penalty and settled for a 31-yard field goal attempt. It was good, but, following the huge turnover opportunity, the terrible series by the Brown had to be deflating for the visitors. The score was 24-6 with 12:12 remaining in the third quarter.
Commanders
This drive would result in the Commanders final touchdown of the game, but at the end of this drive, the score would be 31-6 and the game would effectively be over. The final 20 minutes would be the two teams just playing out the clock and hoping to avoid injuries.
Washington’s drive started at the 20 yard line due to a holding flag against Jeremy Reaves.
With good blocking, Jayden Daniels had a ton of time on 2nd & 6 and threw a beautiful pass left to Scary Terry for 23 yards.
On the next play, Daniels stepped out of heavy pressure and added another 23 yards by rushing straight up the middle. (The play is the last of the four Daniels runs shown in the tweet below)
Jayden Daniels was able to make free rushers miss and create big plays under pressure in the Commanders win over the Browns
Daniels was blitzed on more than half of his dropbacks but was 8/12 for 150 yards in those situations, per NFL Pro pic.twitter.com/HKwQIMnHU8
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) October 6, 2024
Suddenly, Washington had 1st & 10 at Cleveland’s 30-yard line.
The Commanders pushed the ball aggressively and soon Washington had 3rd & 1 at the 3-yard line.
Daniels simply did what he did a week ago; he handed the ball to Jeremy McNichols, Washington’s #3 RB, who went off tackle to the left side for another score. Seibert added his 4th PAT of the game (13th of the season) to make the score 31-6 midway through the third quarter.
TOUCHDOWN
Jeremy McNichols pounds through traffic for the 3rd Washington rushing TD for the day!#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/FBw4BwBLdj
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Cleveland had yet to reach 100 total yards of offense; they were 0-9 on third down and had not scored a touchdown despite being ahead in the turnover battle 2-0. The Commanders wouldn’t score another TD today, but the game was already over. It was now ‘garbage time’.
Browns
Only one play mattered on this 3-play drive. As Deshaun Watson scrambled under some pressure, Frankie Luvu got credited with an interception (later, ruled a fumble recovery) when Watson lost control of the ball as he was being hit by Bobby Wagner.
Commanders take it away!
: #CLEvsWAS on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/7yM8hWjLgS— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Commanders
The forced turnover gave the Commanders another first down at midfield. This drive would end in a field goal and the Commanders final score of the day, but this was really just a matter of running out the clock against an already-defeated team.
With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, on a 3rd down play, the Browns defense gave up an 18-yard catch and run by Austin Ekeler, who took the ball to Cleveland’s 18-yard line on a simple screen pass.
3rd and 12?
No problem.
Textbook screen pass and incredible blocking sees Ekeler pick up approximately 5000 yards of YAC.
Gorgeous.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/vX73tBg11i
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Two plays later, on 3rd & 4 at the 12-yad line, Daniels threw a beautiful pass with plenty of air under it to Terry McLaurin on the left side of the end zone. It hit Terry right in the hands about a yard inbounds, but McLaurin was unable to hold on.
A very rare drop from Terry McLaurin.
And even then, it was ALMOST a mid-catch recovery.
So close.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/Xut9n6NxTe
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Seibert came on the field for his second field goal of the day — this one from 30 yards — to advance the lead to 31 points as the scoreboard moved to 34-6 with 02:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Browns
After making a quick first down, the Browns faced 3rd & 10 at midfield. An offsides penalty against Dorance Armstrong changed the count to 3rd & 5. On the subsequent play, Watson was under heavy pressure, looking like he would get sacked, but scrambled for 4 yards, to keep their 3rd down conversion futility streak intact; however, the Browns converted the 4th down (their 7th first-down of the game) as the quarter came to an end.
Fourth Quarter
Through 3 quarters, Watson was 11-24 passing for 100 yards, an interception, and 5 sacks.
He took his 6th sack on the first play of the 4th quarter as Frankie Luvu got home by beating the right guard on the way to the QB.
SACK
Luvu again! Having himself an absolutely fantastic day at the office. #RaiseHail | @frankluvu7 pic.twitter.com/gfiovYaK7Q
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
Two plays later, on 3rd & 14, Dante Fowler got the team’s 7th sack of the day to kill yet another Browns drive and force a punt by the Browns.
SACK
This time it’s Fowler who brings down Deshaun Watson!
Gotta be honest; there’s just an incredible lack of effort from the Browns. They look like they’ve given up.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/IUS92TNqCb
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
It was a good kick that was downed at Washington’s 8-yard line, but with less than 13 minutes left in the game, the outcome seemed all but certain.
Commanders
Dan Quinn decided that Jayden Daniels was no longer needed. Marcus Mariota, freshly activated from injured reserve, came into the game to hand the ball off to McNichols in an effort to play out the string, kill the clock and bank the win.
The drive was a 3 & out; the Commanders punted, and the Browns offense resumed the field at their own 46-yard line.
Browns
For Cleveland, Deshaun Watson stayed in the game. With the Commanders playing a fairly soft defense, the Browns ran the ball and completed passes in the middle of the field as both teams seemed content to keep the clock running and put the game announcers out of their misery.
The Browns would score a touchdown here, but it would be inconsequential.
Unfortunately, a couple of minor injuries and a pair of penalty flags stopped the clock several times, slowing down the inevitable. One of the injuries was a possible concussion for Quan Martin. The Browns, at one point, couldn’t get the play in on 3rd & 10 following a clock stoppage for a false start and had to burn a time out, which was not ideal for anyone.
With 7:45 left in the game, facing 4th & 7, Watson threw a touchdown pass on a frozen rope to TE Jordan Akins to make the score 34-13.
Commanders
The Commanders began their 12th offensive drive of the game at the 30-yard line following a touchback.
The Commanders kept the ball on the ground losing a yard on two plays. On 3rd down, McNichols scampered 28 yards, then gave himself up at the Cleveland 43 yard line to keep the clock running.
The drive ran out of steam with 02:36 left in the game when Tress Way came on to punt. His kick went into the end zone for a touchback, giving the Browns another drive starting at their own 20-yard-line.
Browns
Deshaun Watson finally took a seat on the bench as Jameis Winston came on in relief. A 6-yard run was the final play before the two-minute warning.
Following the timeout, Winston took yet another sack – his first – to bring up 3rd & 7. On the next play, Jerome Ford ran for 16 yards to earn another 1st down. Winston handed the ball to Ford one more time and then everyone happily let the clock run to zero to end the game.
Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders | 2024 Week 5 Game Highlights
4 in a row pic.twitter.com/V5xOHSW4ti
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 6, 2024
Full Game Stats


Statistics via ESPN