It’s rare to get entire days of NFL football, but AFC North fans were treated to this prospect courtesy of the NFL’s penchant for scheduling games in international time zones; in this case, London, where the Ravens and Titans met in a marginally-watchable game. U.S.A.-based fans were able to watch games from 9:00 am EST until 11:00 pm, nearly uninterrupted.
If you have no other concerns (or life), these days are made just for you.
And here’s what happened.
Ravens 24, Titans 16
For a time, it appeared Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and his trusty cadre of habitual pass droppers would again falter in the second half – a disturbing trend of recent years. Coupled with a very-recent trend of not scoring touchdowns in the red zone, fans were understandably nervous about their team’s chances. The Ravens managed to cobble together enough offense to hold on to the win, due mostly to Jackson’s 223 yards passing and 62 rushing…and K Justin Tucker’s six field goals.
The Ravens’ defense led the way in a messy contest. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill reaggravated an ankle injury courtesy of two Ravens sacks, forcing him out of the game in the third quarter. Backup QB Malik Willis fared no better, as he was sacked four times for significant losses and never looked in control. The defense surrendered 97 yards rushing to Titans RB Derrick Henry, including a season-high 62 yards on one carry, but otherwise shut down a woeful Tennessee offense almost entirely.
God save the king indeed.
Seahawks 13, Bengals 17
Oh, look – it’s the Bengals’ defense! Where ya been?
Okay; to be fair, the defense was largely responsible for Cincinnati’s last win as well, providing valuable cover as QB Joe Burrow continues to play through his well-publicized calf injury. Whatever his condition, Burrow and the offense were mostly stalled, managing just 185 yards passing and 46 rushing. The lone offensive highlights were Burrow’s two TD passes, and WR Ja’Marr Chase finished with 80 yards on 6 receptions. The Bengals were nearly shut out by a solid Seattle defense in the second half (with the lone score being a late FG), requiring some heroics from their own defense to preserve the win.
Pressure on Seattle QB Geno Smith defined the game for Cincinnati, who managed to sack Smith four times. LB Logan Wilson continued his Pro Bowl-level campaign with 11 tackles and a sack, alongside several QB pressures. DE Trey Hendrickson added a sack and four tackles in an otherwise ho-hum affair.
To be sure, the Bengals aren’t complaining about an underwhelming win.
49ers 17, Browns 19
In one of the more improbable outcomes of the day, the Browns rallied behind backup QB P.J. Walker to take down a possible 2023 Super Bowl entrant and hand 49ers second-year QB Brock Purdy his first NFL loss.
Throughout the course of a chippy, ugly affair, the Browns defense kept continual pressure on Purdy, mostly through the efforts of DE Myles Garrett, who forced numerous errant throws, including Purdy’s first interception of the season. LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah turned in an excellent day with five tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss, one pass defensed, and two loud QB hits. S Rodney McCloud Jr. (pictured) added eight tackles. The Browns made life particularly rough for 49ers’ RBs Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, who both suffered game-ending injuries and directly affected the 49ers’ offensive game plan.
The Browns weren’t a model of efficiency on offense, but without starting QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder injury), they had little choice. Walker provided a few key first downs and was amply helped by WR Amari Cooper (four catches, 108 yards). Most of the offensive production was through the ground game and RBs Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt, who accounted for 131 of the Browns’ 160 rushing yards and a TD (Hunt).
Circumstances matter. I hesitate to point out the Browns could’ve lost this game had 49ers K Jake Moody converted a last-minute 41-yard FG attempt, but…they could have. The counter-argument, of course, is the Browns managed to keep the game close enough to force that outcome. Against one of the NFL’s “elite” teams, that’s not easy to do.
See y’all next week.
Hshahah
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