ASHBURN, Va. — Week after week the Commanders offense has impressed, and only seems to be getting better after two huge wins over the Bengals and Cardinals.
Washington has been scoring, on average, just over 30 points per game, which ranks third in the NFL. The Commanders are wearing down defenses and the confidence is only growing as they run into the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon.
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve shown the ability to not only sustain drives but Kliff [Kingsbury] and [Dan Quinn] have trusted us to get fourth and short opportunities," said wide receiver Terry McLaurin. "When you are able to keep defenses on the field as long as we have been, and control the ball and then score touchdowns, it just makes it harder on their offense and it wears down their defense over the course of a game.”
Washington returns to Northwest Stadium Sunday for the first time since Sept. 15, when their three-game win streak began.
“It’s felt like we’ve been on the road for a long time," said head coach Dan Quinn. "We had a couple in the preseason and even to start the regular season, so for us to be here at home, with the fans. Man, we’re really pumped about it.”
The offense will be without one of its veteran pass-catchers, Noah Brown, who has been ruled out Sunday with a groin injury.
“To not have him is going to be tough for us, because of his ability to make tough plays," said McLaurin. "He makes really tough catches, he’s unbelievable in the run game, he’s a great teammate and he helps me out there being another set of veteran eyes, but we’ve got guys ready to step up.”
Like Olamide Zaccheus, Luke McCaffrey and Dyami Brown.
“We’re not a selfish group. I think we can all buy into what we have and we’re trusting in that process with him as well," said Brown. "I think, at the end of the day, as long as we’re on the same page, we’re good.”
The Commanders could be at full strength in the backfield with Austin Ekeler cleared to return from a concussion suffered during week three in Cincinnati. Brian Robinson, the team’s leading rusher, will be a game-time decision with a knee injury. Robinson practiced Friday after sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday. He says he'll be ready to contribute if he can.
“I’m ready to take it up another notch. I feel like there’s so much left out there that we can be better at and that’s only going to help us be better at being a rushing team," said Robinson who wants to see the offense keep its foot on the gas. "We can’t get lax, we’ve just got to build on to what we’ve built and continue to take strides in the right direction and I feel like this game will be no problem for us."
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Clelin Ferrell was also ruled out Sunday. He’ll miss his third straight game.
Jeremy Chin, Dorance Armstrong and Jayden Daniels were named this week’s captains.