Believe it or not

The Redskins were able to get to the .500 mark for the first time this season following a 31-20 win over the lowly Cleveland Browns.

This game provided Washington fans with something unseen on the season until today: red zone offense. The Redskins capitalized on four of their five red zone opportunities, all for touchdowns, including two from Kirk Cousins to Jordan Reed in the first quarter.

Another anomaly? A Redskins running back rushed for more than a hundred yards in the game: the first time that has happened this season. Matt Jones gained 117 yards and a touchdown on 22 attempts. This was the second week in a row that the offense saw true balance, with 26 rushing attempts to compliment 27 passing attempts.

As can be expected, the defense still has work to do. While this was the first week the defense held the opposing offense without a 100-yard receiver, running back Isaiah Crowell was able to pick up 112 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while backup running back Duke Johnson Jr. accumulated 53 yards on nine carries.

Any distaste that would have come from allowing Cleveland a comfortable day rushing was erased as the result of the Redskins forcing three Browns turnovers, an interception and two fumbles. Whether he was worried or not, it appears that Browns quarterback-turned-wide receiver Terrelle Pryor did have Josh Norman on the mind, as he was able to accumulate only five receptions for 46 yards, although one of those receptions was a touchdown. As has been very apparent all season, this is not a defense currently that will lead to a Super Bowl berth, but there is plenty of time and room for improvement. 

The Redskins next game is this Sunday at 1:00 as they make the cross-county trip to Baltimore to face off against the Ravens.