First-half thoughts from Browns-Redskins

By Vic Carucci, Senior Editor

Here are some thoughts on the first half of the Browns’ game against the Redskins at Cleveland Browns Stadium:

What I liked…

>>The Browns’ defense playing mostly well in the early going. For the most part, the front seven has shown good discipline in dealing with the Redskins’ zone-blocking run scheme. Defenders have been staying in their gaps and allowing Alfred Morris little room to run.

>>Sheldon Brown being his usual alert, savvied self in deflecting a pass that T.J. Ward intercepted to set up the Browns’ first touchdown. Brown also deflected a pass last week that Tashaun Gipson picked off against the Chiefs.

>>Trent Richardson’s extra effort on his two touchdown runs. On the first, which gave him 10 for the season and broke Jim Brown’s rookie record, Richardson showed a little bit of Brown-like power in bulling his way through a thick pile of defenders. On the second, he bounced the run outside and showed good second and third effort to avoid would-be tacklers to get into the end zone.

What I didn’t like …

>>Although there is little to complain about regarding the Browns’ defense, there should have been more alertness on Kirk Cousins’ 17-yard run. Not a single defender stayed home as he ran the naked boot.

>>Giving up Cousins’ 25-yard pass to Even Royster on third-and-nine that helped set up a 44-yard field goal.

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