Cleveland Browns

Previewing The Washington Redskins vs. Cleveland Browns In NFL Week 4

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:35 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) catches a touchdown pass as New York Giants corner back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) defends during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Redskins are 1-2 after three games in the 2016 NFL Season. Will they improve their record during their Week 4 matchup?

The Washington Redskins are taking on the Cleveland Browns in Week 4 of the regular season. The Redskins are fresh off of their first win of the season, and the team could really use a win to take them to a .500 record.

Meanwhile, the Browns are 0-3 after another disaster of an offseason. The team is years away from competing, so this game means very little to them. If Robert Griffin III was playing, this would be a revenge game for the former Redskin. However, this game is just another one in what will be a long season for the Browns.

With that in mind, it is time to take a look at how this week’s game will go for the Redskins.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Redskins Passing Game vs. Browns Defense

Kirk Cousins has had some issues to start the season, but he appeared to correct them against the Giants last week. He looked significantly improved, limiting his mistakes and displaying the accuracy that was characteristic of his play during the 2015 season. Against the Browns, Cousins should have a chance to repeat his success.

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The Browns simply do not have enough talent in the secondary to compete with the Redskins’ elite receiving corps. Last week, the team was without their best cornerback Joe Haden. If he is unavailable again, the team will have to march out a bunch of mediocre defensive backs to cover the receivers. As a result, DeSean Jackson and company should have a big game.

Jackson is going to have a good matchup if Haden is out. He will be able to beat the Browns cornerbacks with his speed and he could have a huge game as a result. Even if he does play against Haden, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder will have chances to play some great matchups against some inexperienced players in the secondary. The duo will be able to have some serious success against them.

The final puzzle piece will be the performance of Jordan Reed. Reed will have terrific matchups against the Browns’ linebackers and safeties which will allow him to get open frequently. He could have the best game of his young season, and he may score a couple of touchdowns during the game.

Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) carries the ball past Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Redskins Rushing Attack vs. Browns Defense

This game will almost certainly be the best of the opening month for Matt Jones. Jones has had some trouble gaining yardage against strong run defenses, but the Browns are definitely weak up front. The team has a decent nose tackle in Danny Shelton, but they do not have much else. Stephen Paea, a former Redskin, is now on the Browns and he can stop the run a bit if given the chance. However, he is not going to move the needle much for the team.

As a result of this, Jones should be able to rip off some chunk gains over the course of the contest. Jones’ performance will open up more in the passing game for the Redskins as well, and that could be huge for the team. They need to be able to run a balanced offensive attack. Otherwise, they will have some troubles.

Chris Thompson could even have success against the Browns. Although he is small in stature, he should be able to elude many of the Browns’ tacklers. Thompson will not get a lot of carries, but he will be a really great complement to Jones during this game.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) defends Washington Redskins corner back Josh Norman (24) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Browns Passing Game vs. Redskins Defense

The Browns are actually in better shape on offense than many expected. The team lost Robert Griffin III after the first game, and since then they have only improved. Josh McCown performed well in the second game and Cody Kessler was decent in last week’s loss to the Dolphins. Kessler is going to be starting against the Redskins, but this game may be a little bit tougher for the rookie.

Kessler’s biggest weakness is his lack of arm strength. He can be a functional quarterback in a West Coast offense, but he is not fit to face a stronger secondary. The Redskins qualify as that, because Josh Norman is one of the league’s best cornerbacks. Norman will be able to lock down whoever the Browns’ top option is. Presumably that will be Terrelle Pryor, who had a great performance last week. Taking him away will force Kessler to throw to other options, and that may not go over well.

The only thing that will be working in Kessler’s favor will be the banged up Redskins that may not be able to take the field. Bashaud Breeland and Dashaun Phillips both left last week’s games with various maladies, and they are being called week-to-week as a result. If either player misses time, Breeland in particular, Kessler may be able to find some open receivers and that could give the Browns a chance to make some plays down the field.

Still, it definitely looks like the Redskins have the upper hand in this category. Kessler just does not have a good enough skill set to take down the Redskins so this battle will be an advantage for them.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) stiff arms Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.The Miami Dolphins defeat the Cleveland Browns 34-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Browns Rushing Attack vs. Redskins Defense

Cleveland have actually had a surprisingly good rushing attack to start the 2016 season. Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson have performed very well as a tandem, and that has been a major part of the team’s offensive success. The team has not been able to parlay this into wins, but they should have another solid game against the Redskins poor rush defense.

Calling the Skins rushing defense poor might be a complement. The team has been unable to stop pretty much any team that they have faced this season. The team lacks a true nose tackle, as Kedric Golston is out for the season with a hamstring issue. They just do not have much run stopping tackle, and they have relied on Mason Foster to clean up messes too often this year. They likely will not do well against the Browns’ talented duo.

Best case scenario the Redskins can shut down the pass game and force the Browns to succeed on the ground. If they render the offense one dimensional, that will make It difficult for Cleveland to do enough to win the game.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden coaches against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Redskins 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Score Prediction

This game should absolutely be a win for the Redskins. The team is simply stronger than the Browns on almost every level. Although the Browns have an advantage in their offensive run game, that simply will not be enough to take down the Skins.

The Redskins need this win more than the Browns as well. They are actually competing for a playoff spot. The Browns are years away from being a contender, so this game means very little to them. At the end of the day, expect the Redskins to come out on top in this one.

Redskins 31, Browns 16

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