The Sports Xchange
Oct 2, 2016
LANDOVER, Md. -- Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes, Jordan Reed had nine catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns and the Washington Redskins defeated the Cleveland Browns 31-20 on Sunday at FedEx Field.
Matt Jones rushed for 117 yards and a score as Washington (2-2) picked up its first home win after two losses.
Cousins completed 21 of 27 for 183 yards with one interception.
The winless Browns (0-4) turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions in the second half -- twice in Redskins' territory -- leading to 14 Washington points.
Isaiah Crowell rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Cody Kessler, in his second career start, was 28 of 39 for 215 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Leading 20-17 late in the third quarter, the Browns drove inside the Redskins 20 and appeared on the verge of taking a 10-point lead, but fullback Malcolm Johnson fumbled and Washington recovered at the 9.
Jones carried four times for 36 yards and caught a 16-yard pass as Washington drove 91 yards in 5:28. Cousins capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Chris Thompson, giving the Redskins a 24-20 lead with 10:39 left in the game.
On their next possession, Cleveland was again driving, but running back Duke Johnson lost a fumble at the Washington 43.
After Tress Way's punt pinned Cleveland at its two, Kessler's second down pass to Pryor was picked off by Josh Norman at the 25. It was Norman's first interception as a Redskin.
Four plays later, Jones scored from the 1, and the Redskins led 31-20 with 4:25 left.
The game was supposed to feature Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III taking on his former team, but the injured Griffin was only a spectator.
Washington took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in 12 plays. Cousins, who hit on all seven of his passes on the drive, finished it with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Reed.
After a Cleveland punt, Cousins threw long for DeSean Jackson on first down. A pass interference call on Jordan Poyer gave the Redskins a 50-yard gain to the Cleveland 30.
Eight plays later, Cousins scrambled to and found Reed crossing the back of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown.
Cleveland answered with an 81-yard drive to get on the board. Crowell carried six times for 40 yards, including fighting his way in from the 2 for a touchdown to pull the Browns within 14-7.
They got the ball right back when Jamar Taylor intercepted Cousins on first down and returned it to the Washington 12. On third down from the 9, Kessler waited and finally found Pryor on a crossing route for the touchdown to tie it.
Washington's Dustin Hopkins (49 yards with 2:29 left) and Cody Parkey (51 yards as time expired) traded field goals to make it 17-17 at halftime.
Parkey's 45-yarder gave the Browns a 20-17 lead early in the third quarter.
NOTES: Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan (left elbow) left in the second quarter. LB Su'a Cravens left in the third quarter with a concussion. ... Browns TE Randall Telfer (ankle) left in the third quarter. ... With nine Sunday, Reed has 207 career receptions. He reached 200 in his 38th game, the fewest ever by a tight end, surpassing Kellen Winslow Sr. (39 games). ... Cleveland S Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring), questionable during the week, was out. Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden (groin) returned after missing one game. ... Browns RG Alvin Bailey, who was arrested for driving while impaired early Monday morning, was benched. C John Greco moved to RG and C Austin Reiter, recently signed off the Redskins' practice squad, got the start. ... Redskins WR Pierre Garcon had four catches, giving him 502 for his career.