The Redskins have now won back-to-back games, as Washington used strong first and fourth quarters to defeat the Browns 31-20 at FedExField and move the season record to 2-2.
Fourth Quarter: Redskins 31, Browns 20The Redskins continued the drive that started in the third quarter well into the fourth quarter, as running back Matt Jones had perhaps his best string of plays all season (36 yards on four carries) before Kirk Cousins found Chris Thompson for a five-yard touchdown to take the lead back.
Check out the top images from the Washington Redskins' 2016 Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns Oct. 2, 2016, at FedExField.
Washington was also helped by yet another pass interference penalty on a deep ball attempt for DeSean Jackson. The drive went 91 yards over 10 plays and took more than five minutes off the clock.
Just as the Browns looked like they'd march down the field for points, the Redskins forced their second straight fumble, one that would be recovered by the defense.
Matt Jones quickly turned up field for a 25-yard gain on the first play after the turnover, but that was the only positive play of a drive that would end with a Tress Way punt.
Cousins was sacked twice and another play he missed an open DeSean Jackson. Way's 48-yard punt landed at the two-yard line, though.
After Isaiah Crowell gained eight yards, Josh Norman came up big, recording his first interception as a member of the Redskins. It was the third straight turnover the Redskins have forced.
Unlike the last drive and turnover, though, the Redskins would put some points on the board as the offense drove 39 yards on four plays, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Jones.
Dustin Hopkins converted on the extra point attempt to extend the Redskins' lead to 11, 31-20.
Jones now has 115 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Cleveland was able to get into Washington territory on its next offensive drive, but the Redskins held firm when they needed to, as Cody Kessler couldn't complete a pass to Terrelle Pryor Sr. on 4th-and-6.
The Redskins took over posession with 2:03 left in the game, before both teams traded time with the ball in the final minutes, but the score remained the same. Washington pulls its record on the season back to .500. They'll hit the road again next week for a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Third Quarter: Redskins 17, Browns 20The Browns were able to take their first lead of the contest at the 9:25 of the third quarter, as Cody Parkey capped off a 49-yard drive with a 45-yard field goal.
Cleveland threw the ball six times on the drive while running back Isaiah Crowell peeled off his longest run of the day on 1st-and-10 from the Browns' own 37-yard line, picking up 18 yards.
On the Redskins' first offensive drive of the second half, Kirk Cousins was able to elude a collapsing pocket to find Vernon Davis for an eight-yard gain before Jordan Reed's eighth reception of the day – a four-yard catch – gave Washington a new set of downs.
However, the Redskins' drive wouldn't get far, as penalties and a strip sack (that Cousins would ultimately recover) forced Washington into punt formation.
The Browns quickly got the wheels going on their next drive, as Crowell gained 19 yards on first down on a drive highlighted by Cleveland's ability to convert on long third downs. But just as it looked like Cleveland would potentially extend the lead to double digits, Chris Baker forced a fumble that the Redskins would recover at the nine-yard line. Â
On the drive, linebacker Will Compton was removed from the game after suffering an injury, but returned after just one play. Martrell Spaight entered the game Compton. Su'a Cravens also was helped off the field.
Back on offense, Jamison Crowder recorded his first reception of the half, a 15-yard gain. Washington would get to their own 24-yard line before the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter: Redskins 17, Browns 17On the first play of the second quarter, Ryan Kerrigan was helped off the field, holding his left elbow. He is questionable to return.
The Browns continued to move the ball on the drive before scoring their first touchdown of the afternoon at the 9:33 mark of the second quarter.
On 3rd-and-10 from their own 46-yard line, Cody Kessler found Terrelle Pryor Sr. for a first down before Cleveland was able to churn up yards in bunches on the ground, as Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson got the Browns to the two-yard line before punching it in on 2nd-and-goal.
Kirk Cousins would be intercepted on the offense's first play of the quarter, as defensive back Jamar Taylor read the quarterback through the entire play to pick it off.
Taylor would return the interception 29 yards to Washington's 12-yard.
The Browns would score just three plays later, as Kessler found Pryor Sr. for a nine-yard score.
Washington was able to return the ensuing kickoff to the 37-yard line after the Browns were pushed back on the kick following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Pryor Sr.
The Redskins gained nine yards on the first two plays off the kickoff return – both carries by Matt Jones – before Cousins found Jordan Reed for a gain of 26 yards to put Washington into Cleveland territory.
Between penalties and incompletions, though, the Redskins' drive would stall on the Cleveland 30-yard line before Dustin Hopkins kicked a 49-yard field goal to give Washington a 17-14 lead.
Hopkins is now 12-of-12 on the season.
The Browns were able to tie up the game just before the half, though, as Cody Parkey converted on a 51-yard field goal attempt with no time remaining in the quarter. On Cleveland's drive, Trent Murphy recorded his fourth sack of the year, setting a new career-high in the process.
First Quarter: Redskins 14, Browns 0Cleveland won the opening coin toss but deferred to the second half meaning Washington's offense was the first on the field during Sunday's Week 4 matchup.
The Redskins began the day with a play action rollout pass to Jamison Crowder for a six-yard gain before Matt Jones' first carry of the day netted five yards and a first down.
Washington would give the ball to Jones again on the next play before Jordan Reed's first reception of the day moved the chains once again, gaining 10 yards.
Two plays later, Cousins found Chris Thompson for an 11-yard gain and a first down before Pierre Garçon caught back-to-back passes to get Washington its fourth first down of the drive.
After the Redskins were called for holding to set them back to a 2nd-and-15 situation, Thompson gained it all back and more with a 20-yard gain to set up 1st-and-goal at the 10-yard line.
Two plays later, Reed caught his first touchdown pass of the season on a quick toss from Cousins. The Redskins couldn't have asked for a better opening drive, mixing five rushes with seven pass attempts, all of which were completed.
Dustin Hopkins added an extra point to make it a 7-0 game early.
Cleveland started the day with a seven-yard pass connection between quarterback Cody Kessler and wide receiver Andrew Hawkins. On the very next play, Terrelle Pryor Sr. was in at quarterback, but Preston Smith took him down for a six-yard loss.
The Browns would pick up a new set of downs, though, as Pryor Sr. went back to wide receiver to pick up 13 yards.
It would be Cleveland's most productive play on the drive – one that would last just six plays before the Browns kicked their first punt of the day.
Washington came out thinking big play after the punt went into the end zone for a touchback, as Cousins looked for Jackson on a deep pass. As he tried to locate the ball, defensive back Jordan Poyer was called for pass interference, giving the Redskins the ball at the Cleveland 30-yard line.
After Reed gave the Redskins a new set of downs at the 20-yard line, Jones was able to get the offense into down and distance situations with less than two minutes left in the quarter.
After missing Garçon on second down, Cousins connected with Reed for their second touchdown connection of the quarter.
It is now 14-0.
The Browns would gain 17 yards on an Isaiah Crowell run before the end of the quarter.