Browns face surging Redskins

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

During a career spanning nearly 14 seasons — most of them extremely painful — with the Browns, kicker Phil Dawson has only experienced a handful of home games in December that have meant something.

The list is short.

But today’s game against Washington is on it, and not just because it may be Dawson’s last in Cleveland.

The Browns, given up for dead after an 0-5 start, are playing for more than pride and paychecks. With three straight wins, they’ve got faint playoff hopes and need a win over the Redskins to keep them alive. Cleveland has made the playoffs just once since 1999, when Dawson was unproven and had a full head of hair.

“Usually by now all the talk is about the stuff that goes on off the field,” Dawson said, “but the conversation has revolved around winning a football game in December. That’s refreshing.”

The Redskins, too, are fighting for the postseason and pray rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III will be able to lead them there.

The dynamic RG3, with a blend of speed and charisma rarely seen in the NFL, sustained a sprained right knee last week when he was tackled after a 13-yard scramble in the closing minutes of regulation against Baltimore. The image of Griffin’s leg whipping back grotesquely as he was brought down by Ravens tackle Haloti Ngata was replayed hundreds of times this week, leading to speculation that he would miss at least one game and maybe more.

But Griffin practiced all week and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan will use the uncertainty about his young star’s playing status to keep the Browns guessing.

However, they’ve already made their predictions.

“We fully anticipate that he’ll play,” Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said. “We’re preparing for RG3 to be out there.”

Cleveland hasn’t faced anyone of Griffin’s caliber, but that’s because there are few quarterbacks who can do what last year’s Heisman Trophy winner can accomplish with the ball in his hands. Griffin can run, throw and throw on the run. Possessing cat-like quickness, he’s nearly impossible to contain. And even when he appears to be cornered, he somehow escapes.

The Browns’ biggest challenge on defense will be slowing down the Redskins’ read-option offense, where rookie running back Alfred Morris lines up next to Griffin in the shotgun. After taking the snap, Griffin eyes the defensive end and then either gives the ball to his back or keeps it himself. And if Griffin turns the corner, it’s tough to run him down.

If Griffin does get loose, the Browns (5-8) know the only way to slow him down is to make him pay.