Hi.
Still shaking off the offseason rust, but here we are. Pretty crazy first week of NFL action in the AFC North, filled with highs, lows, and other stuff. Let’s get to it.
Ravens 20, Chiefs 27
In an almost-mirror image of last season’s AFC Championship Game, the Ravens came up short despite the efforts of do-everything QB Lamar Jackson, who, in typical fashion, nearly won and lost the game simultaneously. Free agent acquisition RB Derrick Henry was unremarkable after a promising opening drive ended in a Henry rushing TD. TE Isaiah Likely (9 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD) was the best player outside of Jackson on offense, and the patchwork offensive line clearly needs work and experience together.
In new DC Zach Orr’s first game on the sidelines in his new role, the defense limited what they could, for the most part, but looked slow and not cohesive for much of the first half. The Ravens effectively shut down the Chiefs’ rushing attack, but the Chiefs generally do not run the ball to make an impact. A key factor was the subpar play of veteran CB Marlon Humphrey, whose poor coverage decision in the third quarter led to a long passing TD and ensuring the Chiefs’ margin of victory.
Next: Raiders @ Ravens, 9/15, 1:00 pm
Patriots 16, Bengals 10
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson proved to be the difference between two mediocre passing attacks, as the rebuilding Patriots managed to pull out a win against the Bengals. Bengals QB Joe Burrow was a bit rusty and it showed, completing 21 of 29 attempts for a paltry 164 yards, with no TDs or INTs. Sideline pics of Burrow massaging his surgically repaired right (throwing) wrist surely didn’t inspire confidence among the Bengals faithful, who are hoping for a rebound and return to the playoffs with a healthy Burrow this season.
Defensively, the Bengals were led by LB Logan Wilson’s 13 tackles and numerous QB pressures, forcing several ineffective passes from Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett, whose 121 passing yards did nothing to inspire his teammates. Stevenson’s day (25 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches for 6 yards), rather surprisingly, was all the Patriots needed.
Next: Bengals @ Chiefs, 9/15, 4:25 pm
Steelers 18, Falcons 10
Unlike his aging Falcons counterpart, spot-starting Steelers QB Justin Fields managed to control the football throughout an otherwise pedestrian day that was reminiscent of almost every Steelers win since QB Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. Fields managed 156 yards passing with no turnovers and another 57 rushing in a “just enough” performance, while RB Najee Harris contributed 70 yards on 20 carries. WR George Pickens tallied 6 catches for 85 yards in a forgettable offensive day.
By employing their 2023 model for victory, the Steelers were undoubtedly counting on impact plays from the defense, and the defense delivered; LB T.J. Watt had a sack and a fumble recovery among his numerous QB hurries, and S DeShon Elliott and CB Donte Jackson each picked off QB Kirk Cousins’ passes, the latter of which sealed the game for the Steelers amid an inept performance from the supposedly-improved Falcons.
Next: Steelers @ Broncos, 9/15, 4:25 pm
Cowboys 33, Browns 17
“And it wasn’t even that close” is the trite cliché to insert here. In short, the Browns looked unprepared and ineffective against the Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott, who, the same morning, received a new contract that elevated him to the status of “highest-paid NFL player”. 44 seemed to be the target number for the Browns offensively – 44 rushing yards for RB Jerome Ford, and 44 receiving yards for TE David Njoku, both team highs. QB Deshaun Watson was battered all afternoon (six sacks) and tossed two INTs.
The Browns defense wasn’t idle, posting three sacks (including one each from DEs Myles Garrett and Z’Darius Smith) and holding Prescott to 179 passing yards and a single TD pass, but they seemed to give up just a little too much on each drive, resulting in four Dallas FGs and over 100 Dallas yards rushing, with one rushing TD. The Browns also surrendered a punt return for a TD.
Next: Browns @ Jaguars, 9/15, 1:00 pm
See you next week.
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