Redskins thrive in red zone to beat Browns 31-20

The third was a Cody Kessler pass picked off by Josh Norman; Kessler has been surprisingly solid, but he is a third-string quarterback. The Redskins, who are 0-2 at home, finally got a solid performance from quarterback Kirk Cousins, who quieted the growing throng of critics with 296 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns, easily his best game of the young season.

Three plays later, Pryor beat the coverage of Norman and safety Will Blackmon to catch a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kessler in the end zone, allowing the Browns to tie the score at 14 with 7:55 left in the second quarter.

The Browns fall to 0-4 on the season.

-Jackson said Browns right guard Alvin Bailey, who was arrested for driving while impaired early Monday morning, was indeed benched Sunday due to the incident.

“I know it’s in there with our guys”.

Cleveland answered with an 81-yard drive to get on the board.

Greco took over at center after starter Cam Erving sustained a bruised lung in the opener. Now that he’s found new life under Browns coach Hue Jackson, the Redskins will have to account for him today. An NFL spokesperson said there wasn’t anything to overturn Thomas’s ruling. Then he fumbled, and Washington recovered.

Coach Hue Jackson made a decision to line up fullback Malcolm Johnson at tailback and tried to power-run off the right tackle.

Trailing just 24-20 with plenty of time left in the game, the Browns go on and turnover the football three times, twice on fumbles and one interception.

The Redskins can only look at it as a major chance to even their record at 2-2 and get right back in the mix as a contending team.

REDSKINS DEFENSIVE BLOWS: Already without cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland and DaShaun Phillips, the Redskins’ defense lost three more players against the Browns. “We have to go with their decision”. “This team is playing with the opportunity to win”. “We’re battling our butts off”.

And you also can’t catch a break.

“I really thought I was going to be a Patriot”.

Still, it’s hard to blame Browns fans for feeling like they got the raw end of the deal again.

Bailey will be back in the lineup after Jackson said his punishment is over. Jackson said the checkup could determine whether RG3 needs surgery.

Telfer Hurt: Jackson said that TE Randall Telfer suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss time.

The only thing that stunk about the entire sequence is the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty the refs assessed to Pryor for his celebration.