Predicting the Commanders final 4 games with playoffs on the line

2. Week 17 vs the Cleveland Browns

The Browns are an impossible team to figure out. They have one resume-building win all season (Week 8 against the Bengals), and have fallen short against playoff-caliber teams, including the Jets, Chargers, Patriots, Ravens, Dolphins and Bills. They’re not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but they have to win out and need teams above them in the standings to fall off to have a chance.

Having said that, this has all the makings of a trap game for Washington. With Deshaun Watson back under center after serving his 12-game suspension, Cleveland now has more explosiveness on offense. Though rusty, Watson looked better in Week 14, posting 276 passing yards and a touchdown.

Still, the recipe for beating the Browns is pretty simple: Stop the run. The Bengals neutralized world-beater Nick Chubb to the tune of 33 yards on 14 carries this past Sunday. If he doesn’t get going, Cleveland struggles to muster offense.

On defense, the Browns allow a hefty 4.8 yards per carry, and their 17 rushing touchdowns allowed are the fourth-most in the NFL. They’re much better defending the pass, but that isn’t saying much given how poor they are against the run. In a vacuum, they’re an average pass defense.

Coming off a loss to the 49ers, the Commanders need this game to keep pace in the playoff race. At home, they should get the job done.

Prediction: Commanders 24, Browns 20.