(Video) ‘Distraught’ Deshaun Watson walks off after miscommunication with head coach Kevin Stefanski leading to Browns 13-34 loss to the Commanders
Deshaun Watson and head coach Kevin Stefanski can't seem to be on the same page as they continue to lose games and are now 1-4 after Week 5.
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Deshaun Watson walks off in the fourth quarter (Image via IMAGO/X)
The Cleveland Browns were the underdogs in their Week 5 fixture against the Washington Commanders, but Deshaun Watson and Kevin Stefanski did not travel to the nation’s capital expecting a loss. Historically, the Browns have had rare success against the Commanders, winning 35 of their 48 meetings prior to Sunday’s game.
However, unlike in previous years, the situation with the Browns is very different. Stefanski’s men went into the game on the back of a two-game losing streak, and they faced a rookie quarterback who recorded a near-perfect match in his last outing.
Contrary to the consensus, Jayden Daniels started with a horrible interception inside the Browns’ red zone. Traveling fans thought this was a sign for the better, and if Deshaun Watson can muster up a good game, then they might have an outside chance.
Yet, normalcy was restored as Daniels set up Brian Robinson Jr. for two rushing touchdowns and scored one himself. The Commanders ended the first half with 24-3 on the point board.
It’s important to note that the Browns did not have a single red zone run in the two quarters until deep into the third. This was when things got dicey between Watson and Stefanski, who was clearly unhappy with the game’s progression.
Kevin Stefanski wanted to go for it on 4th down.
— ? DC Rising ? (@DC__Rising) October 6, 2024
Deshaun Watson proceeds to quit on his team and walk off the field ???? pic.twitter.com/Lhjg3lN2DJ
To make matters worse, FOX Sports cameras caught a miscommunication between Watson and his head coach on 4th and Goal after Stefanski called a timeout. A few minutes later, Brown’s quarterback lost a fumble on a sack later in the frame, furthering the eventual blowout.
Kevin Stefanski will stick with Deshaun Watson in future games
The Browns never recovered even though Watson threw a touchdown pass to Jordan Akins, reducing the gap. There were no further points in the game, and it finished 13-34 for the Commanders.
Deshaun Watson finished the game with 15-of-28 passing for 125 yards and 1 touchdown. The Browns only gained 212 total yards the entire day compared to Commanders’ 434, with Daniels contributing a combined 320 yards by himself.
After their third consecutive loss, many believed it was time for Stefanski to give Jameis Winston a proper chance, but the 2023 Coach of the Year recipient will stick with Watson.
We’re not changing quarterbacks. We need to play better, I need to coach better. That’s really what it is.
Kevin Stefanski said via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network
#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, after today’s tough loss: “We’re not changing quarterbacks. We need to play better. I need to coach better.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 6, 2024
As much as the Browns are bad through the air, they are equally horrible on the ground. They have yet to eclipse the 300-yard threshold this season with an O-line that can put Swiss cheese to shame.
Up next, they are on the road once more; this time they will travel to Lincoln Financial Field and play the Philadelphia Eagles in week 6.
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Ishan Misra
(3080 Articles Published)