As I’m typing this, I’m listening to clips of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones lambasting local media for daring to ask him about myriad faulty decisions he’s made regarding his team’s direction and personnel. It’s more than a little pathetic and needy, and it shows a marked unwillingness to be held accountable for the Dallas disaster that’s playing horribly, directly in front of us. Jerry insists the good things he’s done (few lately, to be sure) must be held into account as well, which comes off as a classic narcissist’s need for acknowledgement.
Thank goodness that, for better or worse, the slate of AFC North owners seem to prefer to remain relatively anonymous, with the possible exception of the Rooney family, whose historical exposure to the NFL has been well-documented. But the Rooneys have never whined quite like this or actively sought the spotlight to do so, even in challenging times.
Even the Browns and their troubling season thus far can’t claim this level of embarrassment. Despite the colossal mistake of signing alleged rapist / QB Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed $240 million contract, the Haslam family has shown no signs of repentance, instead often doubling down on the fantasy that Watson is still salvageable. That’s still better than the endless excuses and deflection issuing from Dallas currently.
Organizational stability and confidence is pretty cool. Take pride in it.
Commanders 23, Ravens 30
It’s rare that a game lives up to its hype, which, for this game, was extensive. An able Commanders team lost a close game to one of the AFC’s supposed contenders. While the Ravens, particularly QB Lamar Jackson (20-26, 323 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 11 carries, 40 yards) played very well on offense, their defense did little to slow Commanders wunderkind rookie QB Jayden Daniels (24-35, 269 yards, 2 TDs, 6 carries, 22 yards), ultimately relying on the legs of Jackson and RB Derrick Henry (24 carries, 132 yards, 2 TDs) to salt the game away late in the fourth quarter. The Ravens’ oft-belittled WR corp had a solid day, with WR Zay Flowers leading the way with personal bests of 132 receiving yards on 9 catches – all in the first half.
The Ravens defense had a so-so day, made easier by the lack of Commanders RBs to contend with (lead RB Brian Robinson was a late scratch). Rejuvenated CB Marlon Humphrey lead the team with 9 tackles, and the defensive line recorded 9 QB hits including three sacks in a collective effort. K Justin Tucker posted his second consecutive perfect Sunday, lending credence to the notion that his early-season struggles are behind him.
Next: Ravens @ Buccaneers, 10/21, 8:15 pm, ESPN
Browns 16, Eagles 20
The continued lackluster play of Browns QB Deshaun Watson has spawned a wealth of negative articles, most trashing the Browns for their apparent unwillingness to bench Watson for backup QB Jameis Winston. After the latest debacle in Philadelphia, the Browns seemingly have no excuses left. Watson (16-23, 168 yards) was mostly ineffective until the Browns’ final drive, where he reeled off four consecutive completions to bring the team to the 3 yard line – and failed to score a touchdown. It’s not unnoticed, but the Browns’ poor offensive line play (5 sacks given up) is just one of many reasons Watson is struggling, and it’s become increasingly easy to conclude that he’s simply incapable of being a frontline NFL starter anymore.
It wasn’t all bad. The Browns managed a touchdown on a blocked FG attempt by DE Myles Garrett, which was retrieved and returned by veteran S Rodney McLeod Jr. The defense played reasonably well overall, with LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah leading the team with 8 tackles and the team’s only sack.
There’s just not much more to say.
Next: Bengals @ Browns, 10/20, 1:00 pm, CBS
Steelers 32, Raiders 13
The Steelers, after plodding through a listless first half, produced 20 second half points to seal their win against the disintegrating Raiders. The offense was boosted by RB Najee Harris’ first 100-yard rushing day of the 2024 season (14 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD), sorely needed on a day when the Steelers passing attack was largely shut down. QB Justin Fields (14-24, 145 yards, 11 carries, 59 yards, 2 rushing TDs) made far more of an impact rushing than passing, outmaneuvering significant Raiders pressure on several occasions to rush for needed first downs. WR George Pickens led the Steelers with 3 catches for 53 yards.
MLB Patrick Queen was busy Sunday with 13 tackles, and OLB T.J. Watt added 2 tackles for loss as the Steelers held the Raiders to 57 total rushing yards. DT Cam Heyward notched Pittsburgh’s only sack, but was a consistent presence in the Las Vegas backfield, harassing QB Aidan O’Connell into several hurried throws. Pittsburgh CB Donte Jackson collected the game’s lone interception midway through the fourth quarter, effectively ending one of the Raiders’ last scoring chances.
Next: Jets @ Steelers, 10/20, 8:20 pm, NBC
Bengals 17, Giants 7
In the day’s most bizarre offering, the Bengals eventually held sway after QB Joe Burrow’s 47-yard scramble for a TD in the first quarter (yes, you read that correctly). The two teams were a study in offensive ineptitude for much of the first half – nine of the game’s first 12 combined offensive possessions ended in a punt, and another ended in an interception. Burrow (19-28. 208 yards, 3 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD)) managed to move the ball between the end zones reasonably well with the aid of WRs Tee Higgins (7 catches, 77 yards) and Ja’Marr Chase (5 catches, 72 yards) and RB Chase Brown (10 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD).
Defensively, the Bengals presented a solid team effort, with LB Germaine Pratt (7 tackles, 1 INT) and DE Trey Hendrickson (2 tackles, 2 sacks) helping to limit the Giants’ woeful offensive attack. For a defense that’s largely struggled in 2024, this represented on of the more cohesive efforts they’ve offered and should carry over well to the rest of their last-place schedule.
Next: Bengals @ Browns, 10/20, 1:00 pm, CBS
See you next week.
