Cleveland Browns ruin playoff chance with 38-21 loss to Washington Redskins – NFL Recap
The Cleveland Browns have ruined a fair victory chance against the Washington Redskins who were led by a rookie quarterback on Sunday (Dec. 16) to beat the hosts 38-21 in a crucial game that has ended Browns’ playoff hopes.
Kirk Cousins who started the offence for the Redskins in place of injured Robert Griffin III ripped through the Browns’ defences while mistakes-prone quarterback Brandon Weeden was inconsistent on his own to allow an easy victory to the visitors.
Running back Trent Richardson said of the loss:
"We let ourselves down, and we let the whole city of Cleveland down. This was the last home game. We were supposed to go out with a blast. This was a big ballgame for us and we didn't do what we were supposed to do."
The loss also ended three-game winning streak for the Browns who were jabbed and booed by angry fans, knowing another season has ended for them on a losing note. The Browns have been ending each of past five seasons on losing point.
With the team being sold to a new owner, prospects are not very bright for some coaches and players. Even win of the remaining two games is not going to salvage their position in the season, and all awaited now is end of the season to start with cleansing
and rebuilding drive by the new owner.
Although Redskins quarterback Griffin III said he was not pleased with the decision of being left out versus the Browns, his job was well done by rookie Cousins.
Griffin said:
"I was not happy with the decision. That's the decision they went with and I respect that. It doesn't mean I have to necessarily like it. I feel like I could have played this week, next week, the week after. But that's not my decision."
Cousins threw for 329 yards, while his Browns’ counterpart could manage only 21 of 35 for 244 yards. But Weeden also threw interceptions.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur has ruined the loss, which brings him along with general manager under more pressure in front of the new owner. The coach has already furiously rejected questions about his future, saying he was focused on how to do his job, not
how to save it.
With two more games to go in the season and new chief executive officer (CEO) in the town, all the officials are a bit anxious to know what happens to their fate. General Manager Tom Heckert has already expressed confidence of staying around for a while,
which can be possible given he has been credited to bringing in some quality of talent. The team previously lacked players of this calibre, but still the Browns are due to produce the numbers that impress their fans and owners.
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