NFL Week 17: Cleveland Browns at Washington Commanders Game Preview

Commanders stadium
"File:FedExField01.jpg" by Bernard Gagnon is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Cleveland Browns are set to travel to FedEx Field to take on the Washington Commanders in a week seventeen matchup. The Browns come into the game with a record of 6-9 and currently sit in last place in the AFC North. They come into week seventeen one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers for third place in the division. On the flip side, the Commanders enter the contest with a record of 7-7-1 and despite this very respectable record, still, sit in last place in the NFC East. They are currently one game behind the New York Giants for third place in the division, and along with this, they are deep in the hunt for one of the two remaining wildcard spots left in the NFC. Although the Browns do not have much to lose this season, they are still a dangerous team on paper and could be a tricky matchup for the Commanders. Despite these two teams roaming around a .500 record, this still could end up being a very good game to watch. 

Cleveland Browns Hope to Bounceback After Terrible Loss to New Orleans Saints

The Cleveland Browns are coming off of a tough 17-10 loss against the New Orleans Saints. Although the Saints are a respectable team, Cleveland had one of the best home field advantages you could ask for. It was snowing, below freezing temperatures, and they were up against a team from the south that plays in a dome. Despite this, the Browns were still held scoreless in three of the four quarters of the game and were taken down. This shut down any mathematical chance that they had of still making the playoffs.

While they have nothing left to lose this year, the Browns will still be a team that is trying to win games through the last few weeks. It is clear they are still trying to get Deshaun Watson to better mesh with the offensive scheme. While they could pull off the upset this week, the Browns will have to be ready to play a full four quarters of football.

Washington Commanders Look to Remain In Playoff Hunt With a Big Win 

Last week, the Washington Commanders were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers by a final score of 37-20. Despite this being a very poor time in the year for the Commanders to take a loss, they still put forth a good effort against one of the best teams in their conference. After quarterback Taylor Heinicke suffered an injury, Carson Wentz once again took the starting spot for the Commanders. Wentz had a very promising performance and finished the game with 123 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions on a 75% completion percentage. 

They will have a much more favorable matchup this week against the Cleveland Browns. Washington’s defense could be poised for a big day against a Browns offensive unit that still appears to not have it figured out yet. If Wentz can continue to play at a quality level like he did against San Francisco, the Commanders could live to see another week and be one step closer to the postseason.