LANDOVER, Md. _ The Browns had Washington on the ropes but literally fumbled and threw away chances to earn their first victory this season, falling 31-20 on Sunday at FedExField.
A three-point lead for the Browns (0-4) vanished when Washington (2-2) scored 14 points off turnovers in the fourth quarter.
The Browns earned their first lead of the game early in the second half. Kicker Cody Parkey finished an 11-play, 48-yard drive with a successful 45-yard field goal, giving the Browns a 20-17 advantage with 9:25 left in the third quarter.
During the next series, Browns outside linebacker Cam Johnson strip-sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins recovered, but Washington couldn't recover from the 9-yard loss and punted three plays later.
The Browns then drove to Washington's 16-yard line, where they handed off on first-and-10 to second-year fullback Malcolm Johnson, who fumbled on his first career carry. Linebacker Will Compton forced the turnover, and cornerback Quinton Dunbar recovered the ball at Washington's 9 with 1:07 left in the third quarter.
The miscue proved to the turning point.
Washington marched to the Browns' 5 and faced second-and-goal there. After a play on first-and-goal, officials sent Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor to the sideline to be checked for a concussion. With Browns defenders confused by the sudden personnel change, Cousins snapped the ball quickly and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide-open running back Chris Thompson, allowing Washington to take a 24-20 lead with 10:39 left in the fourth quarter.
A few minutes later, it was announced in the press box that Taylor had the wind knocked out of him and would return to the game.
On the next series, Browns running back Duke Johnson fumbled on a 7-yard run. Defensive end Ziggy Hood forced the turnover, and Compton recovered the ball at Washington's 43 with 9:32 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Sacks by Cam Johnson and cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun kept Washington from capitalizing during the ensuing possession. It punted to the Browns' 2 with 7:14 left.
Then on second-and-2 at the Browns' 10, quarterback Cody Kessler threw behind wide receiver Terrelle Pryor on a post route, and cornerback Josh Norman intercepted it at the 25. Five plays later, running back Matt Jones rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, allowing Washington to grab a 31-20 lead with 4:25 remaining.
The Browns never threatened again. They faced fourth-and-6 at Washington's 42 when Kessler threw high and behind Pryor with 2:03 left in the fourth quarter. Pryor got his right hand on the ball but couldn't make a circus catch.
Kessler completed 28-of-40 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown with an interception, posting a passer rating of 81.6. Pryor had five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown, but he had just one catch in the second half.
Parkey made a 51-yard field goal with no time left in the second quarter, allowing the Browns to tie the score 17-17 at halftime. Parkey missed three field goals last week in a 30-24 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, including a 46-yard, game-winning attempt as time expired in regulation.
Washington struck right away during a dominant opening series and seized a 7-0 lead with 7:40 left in the first quarter. Cousins capped the 12-play, 75-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Reed, who beat free safety Jordan Poyer to break free of coverage in the end zone. Cousins completed all seven of his passes for 52 yards as Washington avoided facing a third down during the march. Washington encountered second-and-15 at the Browns' 30, but Thompson rushed for 20 yards and a first down.
After the Browns gained just one first down before their first possession stalled, Washington captured a 14-0 lead with 27 seconds left in the opening quarter. Reed beat inside linebacker Demario Davis in the back of the end zone and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cousins. Washington was aided during the eight-play, 80-yard drive by a 50-yard pass interference penalty called on Poyer as he defended a deep pass to wide receiver DeSean Jackson during the first play of the series.
Cousins completed 21-of-27 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns with an interception and a passer rating of 116.5.
The Browns trimmed their deficit to 14-7 during the ensuing possession. Running back Isaiah Crowell capped the 12-yard, 81-yard drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 9:33 left in the second quarter. Pryor beat Norman's coverage with a comeback route and caught a 12-yard pass from Kessler on third-and-11 from the Browns' 46 to keep the drive alive. Crowell finished with 15 carries for 112 yards (7.5 average) and a touchdown.
Taylor intercepted a pass Cousins intended for wide receiver Jamison Crowder and returned it 29 yards to Washington's 12.
Three plays later, Pryor beat the coverage of Norman and safety Will Blackmon to catch a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kessler in the end zone, allowing the Browns to tie the score at 14 with 7:55 left in the second quarter. Pryor was penalized unsportsmanlike conduct because he used the ball as a prop during his touchdown celebration. He tossed the ball into the air as if he were imitating LeBron James' chalk toss.
Washington, though, fired back right away to recapture the lead. It gained 32 yards in nine plays to set up Dustin Hopkins' successful 49-yard field goal, which gave the home team a 17-14 edge with 2:29 left in the second quarter.
The Browns got the ball back and picked up 42 yards in six plays to set up Parkey's field goal at the end of the first half.
Turnovers, though, killed the Browns in the second half.
The Browns have started a season 0-4 three times previously in the expansion era (1999, 2009 and 2012). Those teams finished 2-14 (1999), 5-11 (2009) and 5-11 (2012).
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