Wentz fails to provide to spark as Commanders’ playoff hopes dim after loss to Browns

LANDOVER —  Ron Rivera went to Carson Wentz searching for a spark. On the third play of the Commanders’ first drive — a Wentz interception — fans were already chanting for backup Taylor Heinicke. 

Rivera’s switch to Wentz did not work out as planned Sunday as the Commanders suffered a 24-10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns — marking a loss that very well could kill Washington’s playoff hopes. With the Lions’ dominant win over the Chicago Bears, Washington (7-8-1) would officially be eliminated from the postseason if the Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings later this afternoon. 

Making his first start since breaking his ring finger in October, Wentz went just 16 of 27 for 143 yards and three interceptions.

Rivera turned back to Wentz last week, telling reporters that he hoped the team’s high-profile offseason acquisition would provide a jolt to Washington’s struggling offense. But many of the flaws Wentz displayed over his first six starts returned in ugly fashion Sunday. Against the Browns, Wentz failed to complete easy check-downs, struggled under pressure from Cleveland’s defensive line and was turnover prone. 

Sunday’s loss wasn’t just on Wentz, however. The Commanders’ defense melted down in the second half as Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson carved up Washington’s depleted secondary. 

With the Commanders missing safety Kam Curl and corner Benjamin St-Juste — both of whom were out with ankle injuries — Watson threw all three of his touchdowns after trailing 7-3 at halftime. Washington was unable to generate consistent pressure on Watson after defensive tackle Jonathan Allen’s second-quarter knee injury. Allen was ruled out just after the start of the third. 

Watson finished the game with 169 yards on 9 of 18 passing. Two of his three touchdowns went to Amari Cooper, the former Cowboys wide receiver who joined Cleveland in the offseason. 

The Commanders’ offense was mostly ineffective with Wentz under center, though Washington’s lone touchdown, a 1-yard quarterback sneak in the second quarter by Wentz, capped a sprawling 21-play, 96-yard drive that lasted 11 minutes and 27 seconds.

On that drive, the Commanders were able to control the clock and pound the ball with running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Jonathan Williams. Wentz was effective enough to execute a few sharp throws. 

But that didn’t last. After the Commanders fell behind on a 46-yard touchdown to Cooper in the third, Washington’s offense responded with a swift three-and-out. Behind 17-7, the Commanders’ drive stalled out and had to settle for a 43-yard field goal. 

Needing a stop, the Commanders then gave up a 33-yard touchdown to Cooper. And on Washington’s following drive, Wentz threw an interception in the back of the end zone on a deep shot intended for rookie Jahan Dotson.