Wentz, Commanders lose to Browns, eliminated from contention
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) Fans booed Carson Wentz and chanted for Taylor Heinicke to no avail while it was becoming abundantly clear Ron Rivera's quarterback change backfired on the Washington Commanders.
It snowballed so badly, it turned into a loss and the end of their playoff chances.
Wentz threw three interceptions after getting the starting job back, defensive miscues added up and the Commanders lost in embarrassing fashion Sunday, 24-10 to the Cleveland Browns, who had nothing to play for. Green Bay beating Minnesota eliminated Washington from playoff contention, something Rivera did not know was possible.
''We can be eliminated?'' Rivera asked in his postgame news conference. ''(If it happens), it'll be disappointing.''
It has been a disappointing run to say the least for the Commanders (7-8-1), who are winless in their past four games after Wentz's latest late-season letdown.
''I have high expectations for myself and this team, and we underperformed - I did, myself, as well,'' said Wentz, who was 16 of 28 for 143 yards. ''That's not what I had in mind and what we had in mind as a team. Not the performance I envisioned. A lot of stuff I want back. Yeah, that was a tough one.''
The offense gained just 260 yards - 96 on Washington's only touchdown drive - not exactly the spark Rivera was hoping for when he went back to Wentz. Fans making up the sparse crowd booed and chanted early on for Heinicke multiple times after Wentz missed open receivers or lobbed the ball into the hands of a Cleveland defender.
''I tried to be aggressive, tried to force a couple throws early, obviously, and kind of put us in a hole,'' said Wentz, who similarly melted down with Indianapolis at this point last season when the Colts needed to win to get into the playoffs. ''Then the rest of the way just didn't make enough plays personally, as a team - the whole nine yards. I'm definitely kicking myself over some.''
Fans chanting, ''Heinicke! Heinicke!'' did not get their wish: Wentz remained in the game and struggled to move the ball beyond handing it to rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr., who rushed for 87 yards on 24 carries. Rivera said he contemplating going to Heinicke but decided against it once his team fell behind by 14 and he knew some downfield throws would be necessary.
''Yeah, I thought we might (see Heinicke) just because he was available and the other quarterback was struggling a little bit, but they stuck with him,'' said Browns safety Grant Delpit, who had two of the interceptions. ''We had a good game plan for him, and it worked out.''
The Commanders' fourth-ranked defense allowed a handful of big plays, including a 46-yard pass from Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper that became a touchdown when top cornerback Kendall Fuller missed an open-field tackle.
''We missed a couple of tackles,'' Rivera said. ''We missed a couple of them completely. You can't miss tackles on good players.''
Watson also connected with Cooper on a 33-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter that sent fans to the exits.
The Browns (7-9) were already out of the race in the AFC but made good on tight end David Njoku's expectation they'd ''give the Commanders hell.'' Cooper had three catches for 105 yards, Nick Chubb ran 14 times for 104 yards and Watson finished 9 of 18 for 169 yards and the TD passes to Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
''That was definitely the potential of what the future can hold,'' Watson said.
THE DRIVE
Washington's highlight of the game was the 96-yard drive on 21 plays that chewed up 11:27 of clock in the second quarter. It's one of just five 21-play drives in the NFL over the past decade.
GONE TO THE HOGS
The ''Hogs'' who paved the way to Washington's three Super Bowl titles were honored before the game, with Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs and others from the franchise's glory days in attendance. The Commanders also unveiled their new mascot, a hog named ''Major Tuddy.''
The team said he is ''a muscular 6-foot-5, 230-pound male hog with exaggerated features that are anatomically similar to the animal, including a large belly, snout and cloven hooves.''
INJURIES
Browns: RT Jack Conklin left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. ... Coach Kevin Stefanski said CB Denzel Ward, who had the other interception off Wentz, had a shoulder injury.
Commanders: Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen went down with a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return. Rivera said Allen hyperextended the knee and would be evaluated further Monday. ... CB Benjamin St-Juste and S Kam Curl were each inactive because of ankle injuries.
UP NEXT
Browns: Visit the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday.
Commanders: Host the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.
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Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. Watson
4 QB
27 FPTS
|
D. Watson | 9/18 | 169 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
N. Chubb
24 RB
12 FPTS
|
N. Chubb | 14 | 104 | 0 | 35 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Watson
4 QB
27 FPTS
|
D. Watson | 8 | 31 | 0 | 21 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ford
34 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Ford | 5 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brissett
7 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Brissett | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hunt
27 RB
1 FPTS
|
K. Hunt | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. Cooper
2 WR
25 FPTS
|
A. Cooper | 4 | 3 | 105 | 2 | 46 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Njoku
85 TE
3 FPTS
|
D. Njoku | 3 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Bryant
88 TE
3 FPTS
|
H. Bryant | 3 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Peoples-Jones
11 WR
8 FPTS
|
D. Peoples-Jones | 3 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Chubb
24 RB
12 FPTS
|
N. Chubb | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Conklin
78 OT
0 FPTS
|
J. Conklin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hunt
27 RB
1 FPTS
|
K. Hunt | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. Johnson
43 FS
|
J. Johnson | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Fields II
42 OLB
|
T. Fields II | 5-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Delpit
22 SS
|
G. Delpit | 4-3 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Winovich
69 DE
|
C. Winovich | 4-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Garrett
95 DE
|
M. Garrett | 4-4 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Emerson
23 CB
|
M. Emerson | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Green
38 CB
|
A. Green | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Clowney
90 DE
|
J. Clowney | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Bell
37 DB
|
D. Bell | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Newsome II
20 CB
|
G. Newsome II | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Elliott
96 DT
|
J. Elliott | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Ward
21 CB
|
D. Ward | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Bryan
99 DT
|
T. Bryan | 1-3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Carter
40 LB
|
J. Carter | 1-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jones
54 MLB
|
D. Jones | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Woods II
12 WR
|
M. Woods II | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Ragland
19 ILB
|
R. Ragland | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Bell
18 WR
|
D. Bell | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Williams
26 CB
|
G. Williams | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Johnson
30 RB
|
D. Johnson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Perry II
64 DT
|
R. Perry II | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Wright
94 DE
|
A. Wright | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. York
3 K
6 FPTS
|
C. York | 1/1 | 37 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
C. Bojorquez
13 P
|
C. Bojorquez | 4 | 46.8 | 2 | 64 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Ford
34 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Ford | 1 | 23.0 | 23 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Darden 16 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Darden | 1 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. Wentz
11 QB
5 FPTS
|
C. Wentz | 16/28 | 143 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. Robinson Jr.
8 RB
8 FPTS
|
B. Robinson Jr. | 24 | 87 | 0 | 14 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Williams
41 RB
6 FPTS
|
J. Williams | 9 | 30 | 0 | 12 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McLaurin
17 WR
5 FPTS
|
T. McLaurin | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Wentz
11 QB
5 FPTS
|
C. Wentz | 3 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. Thomas
82 TE
11 FPTS
|
L. Thomas | 7 | 6 | 56 | 0 | 15 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dotson
1 WR
6 FPTS
|
J. Dotson | 7 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 20 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. McLaurin
17 WR
5 FPTS
|
T. McLaurin | 5 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 23 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Sims
89 WR
2 FPTS
|
C. Sims | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Samuel
10 WR
1 FPTS
|
C. Samuel | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Williams
41 RB
6 FPTS
|
J. Williams | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Robinson Jr.
8 RB
8 FPTS
|
B. Robinson Jr. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. Davis
52 LB
|
J. Davis | 6-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Mayo
51 OLB
|
D. Mayo | 5-3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Payne
94 DT
|
D. Payne | 3-2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reaves
39 DB
|
J. Reaves | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Sweat
90 DE
|
M. Sweat | 3-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Fuller
29 CB
|
K. Fuller | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Toohill
95 DE
|
C. Toohill | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Forrest
22 SS
|
D. Forrest | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Obada
97 DE
|
E. Obada | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ridgeway
91 DT
|
J. Ridgeway | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Holmes
34 CB
|
C. Holmes | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McLaurin
17 WR
|
T. McLaurin | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Samuel
10 WR
|
C. Samuel | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Toney
58 DE
|
S. Toney | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Young
99 DE
|
C. Young | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Bada
64 DE
|
D. Bada | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McCain
20 FS
|
B. McCain | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Johnson
36 DB
|
D. Johnson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Eifler
46 LB
|
M. Eifler | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Slye
6 K
4 FPTS
|
J. Slye | 1/1 | 43 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. Way
5 P
|
T. Way | 2 | 45.0 | 1 | 48 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Patterson
32 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Patterson | 3 | 23.3 | 26 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Milne 15 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Milne | 1 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |