Not way back, before Jayden Daniels burst onto the scene and became the talk of the NFL, a game against the Cleveland Browns would have been considered a scoop for Washington.

This weekend it’s the other way around.

While Daniels and The commanders roll on after a series of three victories in a row, Deshaun Watson and The Browns have suffered two straight losses and on Sunday they’ll face Washington, looking to resume their track season.

“It could be huge, especially an away win against a hot team like the Commanders,” Watson said. “Go on the market and just play freely and try to get a W and get a W on the road against a superb leadership team. Then we are able to really start something and we are able to construct that confidence and momentum. “

Daniels, a rookie quarterback who accomplished 82.1% of his passes – the most of any player in the first 4 games of the season – was nothing wanting confident and dynamic, and ran for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns. 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner i No. 2 out of LSU is now heavy favorite he won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and his jersey is a best-seller in the league.

Daniels shrugged off the remark, admitting he noticed it, but added, “None of that matters.”

“You’re only as good as the last game you played in,” Daniels said, calling the start of his skilled profession an eventful one with room for growth. “Continue to improve. Finding small ways to continue to grow. I would not say (my game is) a finished product, nevertheless it’s a start.”

Watson has thrown for lower than 200 yards in each of his first 4 games this season, the longest stretch of his profession through which he hasn’t reached that mark. He and coach Kevin Stefanski downplay the significance of that statistic, but the truth is that Cleveland, now 1-3, needs more from an offense that has scored the fifth-fewest points in the league.

“Obviously we want to win games, we want to score points, and a lot of times that involves rushing yards and passing yards,” Stefanski said. “We certainly want to be more effective and explosive.”

A positive sign

Watson sees progress. He still has doubts.

Even though the veteran QB performed higher last week in the loss in Las Vegas and his stats improved, the Browns still lost and Watson felt uncomfortable after being sacked on Cleveland’s final play.

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It was just Watson’s fourth game since undergoing shoulder surgery in November. He has only played 16 games since the end of the 2020 season. Additionally, he’s adapting to a brand new offensive scheme and, due to injuries, is playing behind a patchwork offensive line.

“Every week is a step forward, so the more I’m on the pitch, the better I’ll perform, the better I’ll be and the more confident I’ll be,” Watson said. “Just having the ability to see things, having the ability to act, just playing football – that is the most vital thing. I’m just playing football, being lively, getting used to the speed of the game and how people will defend us and try to defend me. Week by week, I plan to proceed to have that arrow pointing up and getting into the right direction that I want it to go.

Commander D’s questions

He held Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to 14 points and 296 yards last week pogrom in Arizona was a serious step forward for Washington’s defense, which was one among the worst in the NFL at the start of the season.

Watson and the Browns’ offense, especially with potential returnee David Njoku, can be one other major test for a team almost completely rebuilt by latest CEO Adam Peters.

“I think we all know that Deshaun has the ability to go beyond the budget and convert and create like that.” coach Dan Quinn he said. “Any time a player is a dual threat with runs and passes and can capitalize on either throw or legs, it’s a giant deal. They have lots of weapons at their disposal on offense, so it isn’t just against him, but each game plan is a bit different.

Ground game

The Browns handled their problem this week.

Cleveland’s inability to knock down ball carriers every week ago contributed to this Las Vegas Raiders rush for 152 yards — 101 greater than the average variety of entries. Averaged 5.2 yards per carry.

There were opportunities to get off the field, and the Browns allow them to slip away by not stopping running backs and receivers on offense.

“We have to make sure we finish offenses,” Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward said. “I know I have to finish and just bring the guys down to earth. Finish the game.”

Ward could have his hands full in one other way, as he’ll likely face Terry McLaurin, the Commanders’ top receiver and his teammate at Ohio State. Stefanski called McLaurin a “friendly quarterback” – an outline Ward found accurate.

“He will always be where he needs to be,” Ward said. “Great receiver, good routes, fast guy and just someone responsible who you can count on.”