Browns pick off Dwayne Haskins 3 times and strip him once in 34-20 victory over Washington; Chase Young lost early to injury

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns picked off Dwayne Haskins three times and stripped him once, and didn’t have to deal with Chase Young for most of the game en route to a 34-20 victory Sunday over the Washington Football Team at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Browns improved to 2-1 for the first time since 2011 and climbed above .500 for the first time since Week 14 of the 2014 season.

Myles Garrett strip-sacked Haskins with 6:30 left in the game, for his second sack-fumble in two games, and the Browns converted it into a 30-yard Cody Parkey field goal with 1:10 left.

All told, the Browns forced five turnovers in the game, and didn’t turn it over themselves, which snapped a streak of eight games with an interception for Baker Mayfield.

The Browns scored touchdowns on all three of Haskins’ interceptions — including two at the end of the first half — for 21 points and the field goal off the strip. Nick Chubb scored on runs of 16 and 20 yards, and Kareem Hunt caught a 9-yard TD pass to post back-to-back victories.

The Browns also didn’t have to contend with No. 2 overall pick Young for most of the game. He left the game with a groin injury in the second half and didn’t return. Washington also lost defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis to an arm injury in the first half.

Young headed into the game second in the NFL with 2.5 sacks and the Redskins were first in the NFL with 11 sacks. Despite the injuries, the Redskins led 7-0 in the first quarter and 20-17 late in the third.

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was active for the game, but struggled with his groin injury and played sparingly after the second quarter.

There was so much talk about Washington’s defense heading into the game, but it was the Browns’ injury-riddled unit that made all the noise. Karl Joseph, Malcolm Smith and B.J. Goodson all had interceptions. Terrance Mitchell also forced a fumble as time ran out in the first half, and Goodson recovered.

The Browns started drives after the takeaways at Washington’s 28, 24, 35, and 41.

Harrison Bryant’s 3-yard TD and Nick Chubb’s

Bryant caught a 3-yard TD pass from Mayfield to put the Browns back on top 24-20 with 11:14 left in the game. Mayfield hit Odell Beckham Jr. with a 15-yarder to convert a 3rd and long, and the relentless Chubb rumbled for 25 yards to the 18 on the drive.

Chubb rushed 20 yards for a TD to break the game open at 31-20.

Redskins pull to within 17-13 and then go ahead 20-17

The Redskins pulled to within 17-13 on a 2-yard run by Antonio Gibson, but Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point at the menacing Dawg Pound end. The drive started at the Browns’ 49 after Mayfield committed a costly intentional grounding penalty that resulted in the Browns punting from their 11. Key play on the drive was a 26-yard catch by running back J.D. McKissic.

Washingon regained the lead at 20-17 with 2:20 left in the third when Haskins hit Dontrell Inman with an 11-yard TD pass in the end zone. Washington capitalized on great field position for the second straight drive, starting at their 46 in large part because of a Montez Sweat sack of Mayfield on the previous drive.

First half highlights

The Browns led 17-7 at the half after two second-quarter interceptions off of Haskins led to 14 points.

It was an amazing momentum swing for the Browns, who fell behind 7-0 after surrounding an eight-play 75-yard drive to Washington capped by a 17-yard TD pass from Haskins to Dontrell Inman.

The Browns responded with a 42-yard Cody Parkey field goal to make it 7-3 with 10:46 left in the half. They were forced to settle for the field goal after a high, hard pass from Mayfield went off Harrison Bryant’s hands on third down.

Then, everything started falling apart for Washington. First, Young left the game for good with the groin injury and defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis left for good with an arm injury in the second quarter. Then, Browns safety Karl Joseph picked off Haskins and returned the ball 49 yards. He fumbled, but Tavierre Thomas recovered to start the Browns at the Washington 28.

Three plays later, Nick Chubb broke about three tackles and dragged two defenders into the end zone with him for an 11-yard touchdown run that put the Browns ahead 10-7 with 5:58 left in the half.

Myles Garrett dragged Haskins down by the jersey to blow up his next drive on third down, and then linebacker Malcolm Smith picked off Haskins on a third down pass right after the two-minute warning to the start the Browns at the Washington 24. Once again, it took the Browns only three plays to cash in on Haskin’s mistake.

Mayfield hit Kareem Hunt with 9-yard touchdown pass to the left with 32 seconds left in the half to extend their lead to 17-7.

The Redskins weren’t done turning the ball over yet. Antonio Gibson caught a 12-yard pass from Haskins and was stripped by Terrance Mitchell on the sideline, where B.J. Goodson recovered as time expired in the half.

* Receiver/returner JoJo Natson leaves the game with a knee injury

Browns receiver and returner JoJo Natson left the game in the first half with a knee injury and didn’t return. It left the Browns in a bind not only on returns, but at receiver. They were left with only three active receivers in Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and KhaDarel Hodge.

Rashard Higgins among the inactives

Higgins, who didn’t play much the first two games, was inactive for the game. But Higgins had a good week of practice and is in good standing with the staff. Hodge is ahead of him for the third receiver role, and Natson also got some reps at receiver. Higgins will have to keep proving in practice he deserves to be active.

Next

The Browns will play in Dallas Sunday at 1 p.m

–

New Browns face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Browns-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All NFL proceeds donated to CDC Foundation.

More Browns coverage

Myles Garrett’s goal is to ‘be the best player on the field in any given game’

Ward questionable for Washington, Williams ruled out, Clayborn returns to practice

A big step ahead for Browns, can they take it? Terry Pluto

One of Sunday’s tests for Browns: Doing what they’re supposed to do

Why Wyatt Teller is the Browns’ offensive MVP: Gotta Watch The Tape

Stefanski: It’s unfair to label the offense after two games

Beckham, Landry undeterred in social justice fight after Breonna Taylor decision

Denzel Ward added to the Browns injury report with a groin issue

Les Carpenter of The Washington Post previews Sunday’s game (video)

What to expect from Odell Beckham Jr. in a Kevin Stefanski offense: Film Review

OBJ practicing acceptance in offense in which he ‘probably’ won’t put up huge numbers

Jedrick Wills Jr. on facing ‘freak of nature’ Chase Young: ‘I have full confidence in myself’

Cleveland Browns vs. Washington: Prediction poll for Week 3

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.