Carson Wentz Will Start VS The Browns Week 17 Preview

The Washington Commanders take on the Cleveland Browns at FedEX Field on Sunday at 1PM on FOX. The Commanders must win this game to keep control of their playoff destiny. On offense the Commanders should be able to run the ball against a bad browns run defense. With Antonio Gibson out expect Brian Robinson to get most of the work. For the Commanders defense it looks like Kam Curl will be out, so they will need to do a better job in coverage this week and not give up a bunch of big plays like last week.

Carson Wentz

Wentz is getting the start at quarterback for the first time since week six when he hurt his finger against the Chicago Bears. The main reason he is getting the start Sunday is because he is getting paid 28 million and has a better arm than Heinicke. During the win streak they could not make the move to Wentz now that Heinicke has been struggling and the Commanders have been losing they can. The last four games Heinicke has played bad. From missing throws that would have been touchdown to fumbling and throwing picks it makes sense to make a move at quarterback. Now I don’t agree with the move to me both quarterbacks play the same. But Wentz does have a better arm and hopefully will make the throws Heinicke could not.

Offense

The offense should be a run first team tomorrow agains the Browns. The Browns defense is 25th against the run and give up 134 yards on the ground. For the Commanders to be successful tomorrow they will need to rush for over 130 plus yards. Then when they don’t run expect play action and a couple of deep shots.

Then in the red zone the Commanders need to score touchdowns. Last week they had two plays from the one and could not get in the end zone. This week expect them to smash it in with Robinson or go play action and hit a tight end in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.

Against the pass this year the Browns have been pretty good. They currently rank 8th in the NFL and give up 201 yards through the air. They have had some games that they give up a lot of yards. So they are beatable, but I don’t want the Commanders to get pass heavy. If the Commanders do throw the ball 40 plus time Sunday I don’t think they win.

Defense

The defense for the Commanders struggled last week. They will need to be better and limit the amount of big plays they give up. They will be going up against a familiar player in Amari Cooper. The last three games against the Commanders Cooper has scored a touchdown. The Commanders secondary will need to shut Cooper down on Sunday. They will be shorthanded though. Kam Curl is expected to miss the game Sunday. In the three games Curl has missed the Commanders defense has struggled. The defense gives up an average of 31 points when Curl is out. The backups of the Commanders will need to step up tomorrow for the Commanders to win.

Now to the Browns run game. The Browns are fifth in rushing with 147 yards on the ground per game. This game will be won by whoever runs the ball and stops the run better. This should favor the Commanders since they have a good run defense, but with Curl out that could change some things.

Injury Report

Commanders

S Percy Butler Questionable.

RB Antonio Gibson Out with a Knee/Foot injury.

CB Christian Holmes is Questionable.

CB Benjamin St-Juste is Questionable with an Ankle injury.

OT Saahdiq Charles Out with a Concussion.

DE James Smith-Williams is Out with Concussion.

S Kam Curl is Doubtful with an Ankle Injury.

Browns

DE Jadeveon Clowney is Questionable with a Concussion/Illness.

LB Jordan Kunaszyk is Out and placed on IR with a Hand injury.

Predictions

I believe if the Commanders stick with the run all game they will beat the Browns. But with Scott Turner being the Offensive Coordinator I think they will get pass happy. Doing this will lead to the O-line struggling and turnovers by Wentz. The Browns will win because the Commanders will once again beat themselves and the season will probably be over. Browns win 21-17.

Lines from BetUS

Over/Under 40.5

Commanders -1

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