Takeaways from Redskins' 20-17 win at Browns

The long and trying days of training camp finally played out in some real game time on Thursday night, when the Washington Redskins took to Cleveland to face the Browns. Gruden's Gang topped Manziel's bunch 20-17, but not without some sacrifices of their own.

Here are our observations:

- Tight end Niles Paul will miss the 2015 regular season after dislocating his ankle on the Redskins' second possession of the night. Blocking downfield on an Alfred Morris rush near the red zone, Paul got his left ankle rolled up on by a Browns defensive back, twisting his foot further to the left than Bernie Sanders. That's a tough break for this club. Paul was expected to have a breakout season after topping himself last year, adding 14 pounds of muscle to improve himself as a downfield blocker, precisely what he was doing when he got injured. The Redskins' tight end predicament gets much more perilous without him. Logan Paulsen is likely headed for toe surgery himself and Jordan Reed, though a brilliant receiver, is injury-prone and a below average blocker. 

- Robert Griffin III looked able enough at times, but some help would have been nice. He led two series on the night, one of which resulting in points. His would-be 61 yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon was brilliantly executed, the receiver splitting double coverage with nothing between he and pay dirt. That is, until he dropped the perfect pass as he tumbled to the turf. Overall, there was improvement. That patience his coaches have been seeking seemed to be there, the careful decision making. He converted a third-down with his legs when he had to, but was nearly intercepted on another. Overall grade: B+

- A pair of silly mistakes: cornerback Chris Culliver's pass interference and Andre Roberts' special teams fumble. Both of which led to the Browns' two touchdowns. Culliver was one of Scot McCloughan's landmark free agency signings, and he, along with the regular first-team secondary, weren't exactly inspiring against Josh McCown. Cleveland's 2,945th quarterback since 1999 (personal estimate), McCown went 5-for-5 on 33 yards and a touchdown against the Skins' stoppers. 

- The right side of the offensive line looked promising. Brandon Scherff, the rookie guard moved over from tackle, and Morgan Moses, the second year tackle and former guard, helped Alfred Morris to a 42 yard night and kept Robert Griffin on his feet. Scherff was beaten a few times to his right and Moses let a pass rusher all the way through from the right side of the formation to the left. But the quarter they started was overall a good showing, which paints a very favorable picture for stability on offense this season.

- For a guy going through his fourth preseason, up against the Browns' backups, Kirk Cousins better have looked good. He threw with confidence and moved well in the pocket, even scoring a touchdown himself on a zone-read rush when the Redskins were down 14-3.