As the NFL season enters into Week 17, the Washington Commanders will host the Cleveland Browns with a playoff position at stake. Washington enters the contest on a three-game winless streak and a record of 7-7-1.
Washington faces a Cleveland team that is coming off a 17-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints last weekend. The Browns (6-9) have won three out of their past five games, however. Since the return of quarterback Deshaun Watson, Cleveland sports a record of 2-2.
Sunday’s game will be the first of two consecutive home games for the Commanders to close out the regular season.
Washington will turn the reigns of their offense back over to Carson Wentz. Wentz, who suffered a fractured ring finger on his throwing hand back in a Week 6 win over the Chicago Bears, replaces Taylor Heinicke despite the former Old Dominion signal caller sporting a record of 5-3-1.
Washington’s offense has struggled to produce points, especially within the red zone.
While speaking to the media after a recent practice in preparation for the Browns, coach Ron Rivera talked about the move to go back to Wentz amid a playoff run.
“Well, just looking at a couple things. First off, I think seeing the way he played, how he handled things, I think where we are right now, I’m looking for a little bit of a spark, a little something different and I think now’s a good opportunity for it,” Rivera mentioned. “Well, I think the biggest thing is he’s more comfortable with what we’re doing. That was evident in the game in spite of the fact that they knew we were gonna throw it. They kept coming and I thought he handled those situations very, very well. He got the ball out a couple times, got it out to where they needed to be thrown. He threw some really nice balls. His decision making was very quick. So, I just think that now he’s had a little bit more of an opportunity to see the rest of the offense, feel the rest of the offense. And I think that’s a big part of it. The other part I think is, he got a little bit of a reset. He missed several games. He had an opportunity to heal up to, to look and feel better. I think that’s exactly where he is right now.”
In his third year as coach of Washington, Rivera later talked about the pressure of competing for a playoff spot and wanting to win the final two home games to assure a place in the postseason.
“Yeah, I mean, we wanna win both of these obviously to get into the playoffs and that’s a part of it,” the 12-year head coach commented. “I think that’s also part of the reason behind it. I mean, the last three games we are 0-2-1 and so looking for a little something extra to give us a little something to get over the hump. And it’s important, especially with these last two games that we wanna win.”
Do you agree with the decision to start Carson Wentz over Taylor Heinicke amid a playoff run? @Commanders #HTTC #NFL @SportsJourney
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 31, 2022
Sunday’s game marks the 48th time in franchise history the two teams will have played each other.
In the team’s last contest in Week 3 of the 2020 season, in Cleveland, Washington was defeated by the Browns 34-20. Washington is 12-34-1 all-time against the Browns. The series dates back to the first meeting between the Browns and then-Redskins in 1950.
What would a win over the Browns do for the Commanders from a statistical and historical standpoint?
- A victory would improve Washington’s record to 8-7-1. That would be the highest win count in a season for Rivera since his arrival three seasons ago.
- A “W” would increase the odds of Washington making the postseason. Winning out over the next two home games guarantees a postseason spot. A Washington win on Sunday with losses by Detroit, Green Bay, and Seattle would place Washington in the playoffs before the final week of the season.
- A win would improve Washington’s all-time win total to 6 games over Cleveland in home games.
- A victory improves Washington’s overall record against Cleveland to 13-34-1.
- A win on Sunday would give Washington four victories in their last five meetings with the Browns dating back to 2008.
- Finally, with a win, Washington would win four games against AFC opponents in the same season for the first time since 1991 when the club recorded four wins against AFC opponents.