The midpoint of the NFL season is just a couple of weeks away. What have we learned thus far?
- the Steelers will go as far as their defense – not their QB – takes them
- the Bengals need depth, especially on defense
- the Ravens need their defense to improve or their dreams of a title will fall predictably short…again
- the Browns…are two years away.
Despite the last bulleted cliché, it’s probably the most accurate statement of the bunch. The Browns are two years away from jettisoning troubled and oft-broken QB Deshaun Watson in favor of a hopeful-improvement at the position. But there’s nothing stopping them from beginning that rebuild now, and they appear to be accommodating that notion with the trade of WR Amari Cooper to the Bills, with more supposedly in the works. The biggest question is how far the Browns will go; would they consider trading all-world DE Myles Garrett, or star CB Denzel Ward, either of whom would bring a substantial return? Or will they stay the course and hope, probably fruitlessly, that Watson can still rebound and play respectable football?
Stay tuned, jury’s out, etc.
Bengals 21, Browns 14
The return of Browns RB Nick Chubb from a devastating knee injury gave Browns fans a reason to celebrate, but it was short-lived, as QB Deshaun Watson suffered a torn Achilles tendon on a non-contact play late in the first half and has since been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Watson was succeeded by backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was ultimately injured himself, leading to the late insertion of veteran backup QB Jameis Winston, who may very well start by attrition in the coming weeks.
Chubb finished with 11 carries for 22 yards and a TD, which is probably to be expected after his 13-month layoff and the state of the Browns’ decimated offensive line. The QB shuffles produced a total of 259 passing yards, 1 TD (a mop-up score by Winston) and 2 INTs. The Browns’ best offensive day belonged to TE David Njoku, with 10 catches for 76 yards and a TD.
The Browns turned in a decent collective effort on defense, but was unable to produce any turnovers or really pressure Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who completed 15 of 25 attempts for 181 yards and 2 TDs. All but 44 of Burrow’s passing yards went to WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who also had both TD receptions (1 each). The Bengals also scored a TD on the game’s initial kickoff, with returner Charlie Jones tallying 100 yards for the effort.
The Bengals had a solid day defensively as well, but to be fair, they didn’t have to work too hard overall to limit Cleveland’s threadbare offense to two total TDs. DE Trey Hendrickson added to his likely Pro Bowl season with two sacks, and fellow DE Sam Hubbard collected an INT and a sack in his best effort this year. S Geno Stone also added an INT.
Next for Bengals: Eagles @ Bengals, 10/27, 1:00 pm, CBS
Next for Browns: Ravens @ Browns, 10/27. 1:00 pm, CBS
Jets 15, Steelers 37
The season debut of veteran Steelers QB Russell Wilson produced a win and some passing stats, which appears to be exactly what the team wanted.
Wilson (16-29, 264 yards, 2 TDs) played solidly and turnover-free, connecting with WR George Pickens and Van Jefferson for TD. Pickens (5 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD) made a couple of highlight-reel catches en route to leading both teams in receiving yards. RB Najee Harris surprisingly produced a second 100-yard rushing day, a career first, and also a sign that the Steelers’ long-troubled offensive line issues may finally be behind them.
The Steelers put forth a good collective defensive effort against a supposedly-desperate Jets team. Led by LB Payton Wilson’s 10 tackles and backup CB Beanie Bishop’s 2 INTs, the Steelers essentially steamrolled the Jets into submission. While the defense produced only one sack (DT Larry Ogunjobi), they managed to hit Jets QB Aaron Rodgers eight times officially, and probably several more times that went unrecorded.
Next: Giants @ Steelers, 10/28. 8:15 pm, ESPN
Ravens 41, Buccaneers 31
After a halting start, the Ravens’ vaunted offense produced 34 unanswered points to seal the much-closer-than-it-should-have-been win.
Most of the press today will center on the performance of QB Lamar Jackson, who produced one of the most efficient passing days of his career (17-22, 281 yards, 5 TDs, 9 carries, 52 yards) despite some careless later mistakes. Bruising RB Derrick Henry (15 carries, 169 yards, 1 catch, 13 yards, 1 receiving TD), sparingly used in the first half, provided most of his output in the second half, including his TD reception for the team’s final points.
After trailing the entire first quarter, the Ravens managed to pick off Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield twice (both by CB Marlon Humphrey) and thoroughly change the momentum in their favor. MLB Roquan Smith collected 18 tackles, followed by S Kyle Hamilton’s 11. Despite the furious rush of points by the Buccaneers in the fourth quarter, the defense did just enough to finish with the win.
Next: Ravens @ Browns, 10/27, 1:00 pm, CBS
See you next week.
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