Browns have potential good news heading into Week 17
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns chances of winning may have improved in Week 17 with Carson Wentz now starting in a must-win game for Washington
Taylor Heinicke might not be a superstar but he’s done a great job as the starter for the Washington Commanders, going 5-3-1 this season as he led them back into the playoff race. But after an 0-2-1 stretch, the Commanders are going with Carson Wentz in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns.
While Wentz has put together some impressive games — especially during 2017 when he had an MVP-caliber season for the Philadelphia Eagles — he’s also had his share of struggles. And it seems the majority of those issues come in must-win games, which is what he will face against Cleveland.
The former second-overall pick in 2016, Wentz is on his third team in as many seasons. He was replaced by Jalen Hurts in Philly and then re-joined Frank Reich with the Indianapolis Colts last year. Wentz put up good numbers overall but fell apart in the final two games as Indy just missed the playoffs.
With just one win needed in the final two weeks, the Colts lost to the Las Vegas Raiders 23-20 and then the Jacksonville Jaguars — who were a mess in 2021 — 26-11. Wentz completed fewer than 60 percent of his passes in each contest with 148 yards in Week 17 and 185 in Week 18. He added two turnovers in the loss to the Jags as well.
Cleveland, who is 6-9, is looking to build something positive in the final two games and could play spoiler for the Commanders as they seek to make the playoffs.
The weather is also expected to be much better than the six-degree conditions they faced against the Saints at home, so perhaps Deshaun Watson can get on track as well — which is likely their No. 1 priority to close out the year.
