Cleveland's fanbase entered Sunday's home Browns-Bengals showdown with a mix of emotions. Some greeted their own quarterback, Deshaun Watson, with deafening boos as he took the field. If there was any doubt about how many fans felt about Watson, the same crowd erupted in cheers for running back Nick Chubb as he returned from a lengthy injury layoff. Watson's future looks uncertain: in the second quarter, he went down with what the Browns fear is a torn Achilles, likely ending his season and possibly his career. Watson's play has declined, and Achilles injuries often leave players diminished. As Watson was carted off the field in tears, the emotions in Cleveland were intense. For some, there was a sense of catharsis or karma. For others, there was genuine sadness. Despite Watson's poor performance and the allegations against him, no one wants to see an injury. Although, in this case, some fans did cheer.
One feeling all Browns fans share is deep regret. If Browns owner Jimmy Haslam giving Watson $230 million in guaranteed money in 2022 wasn't already the worst contract in NFL history, the Achilles injury on Sunday cemented it. Haslam set a new low in how not to award a contract. Not only by the sheer amount of guaranteed money, the most in NFL history, but by handing the franchise to a player who was almost certainly facing a lengthy suspension over sexual misconduct allegations (the ban ended up being 11 games). Haslam's plan that Watson the player would make Watson the person palatable failed from the start. Watson's debut didn't come until Week 13 of the 2022 season. His performance that season was mediocre at best. The Browns went 3-3 with Watson under center in 2022 and finished 7-10, last in the AFC North. Every game he played that season, with incessant boos at stadiums around the US, was also a reminder of what many thought of Watson the person.
Watson's second season was cut short by a shoulder injury. Joe Flacco stepped in and did an admirable job, but it was Cleveland's elite defense that led them to a playoff berth. Any hope that Watson would become an above-average quarterback quickly evaporated this season. Under Watson, the Browns have a 1-6 record, including Sunday's 21-14 loss to Cincinnati. He had yet to top 200 passing yards in a game this season and was last in QBR among qualified quarterbacks. Moving on from him will be costly: he's guaranteed $46 million a season in the final two years of his contract. There are plenty of badly run franchises in the NFL, but none are dumb enough to take Watson and his huge contract off the Browns' hands. From a football-only standpoint, Watson's time in Cleveland has been a failure. Add in the fact that he's an alleged predator, with more than 24 women accusing him of sexual misconduct, and the Browns' thinking is unfathomable. For many fans, there is no passer rating Watson could achieve to erase the allegations that surround him.
The Browns' sad and seedy Watson era will take time to move past. Jameis Winston, who hardly has a clean reputation himself, ended Sunday's game as Cleveland's quarterback. He was asked about Watson after the game. "I'm grateful that I had a chance to serve Deshaun, but I am very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years," said Winston. Perhaps it's worth Winston asking why the world was against Watson in the first place.
Jared Goff, quarterback of the Detroit Lions, had a standout play in the Lions' 31-29 win over the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings. His 35-yard touchdown strike to Amon-Ra St. Brown in the closing minutes of the first half was a momentum changer and a reminder to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Goff thrives when blitzed, unlike many of the other quarterbacks Flores' defense has terrorized. Goff continued his hot streak Sunday, joining Aaron Rodgers, Kurt Warner, and Roger Staubach as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to accomplish a remarkable feat.
Saquon Barkley put an end to anyone still doing a double take upon seeing the running back in an Eagles jersey. After Philly got off to a slow start, the Barkley-led offense soared and demolished the Giants 28-3. Barkley's monster game was the second most rushing yards for a back facing his former team. Only then-Bengal Cedric Benson's 189 yards against the Chicago Bears was better. Perhaps it was not the best idea for Giants fans to burn Barkley's jersey outside MetLife Stadium, a ritual Barkley observed upon arrival.
Patrick Mahomes' run that led to a touchdown can be viewed through two lenses: a) Look at Mahomes' vision and toughness; or b) Look at Mahomes threading the sideline knowing none of these dudes are going to tackle him since even sniffing him is an automatic penalty. Either way, the Super Bowl rematch was not much of a contest. The Chiefs topped the 49ers 28-18, and Brock Purdy was interception prone throughout. The Chiefs didn't exactly dominate, but they dialed up enough creative packages on both sides of the ball to stymie the Super Bowl runners-up. The Chiefs offense is not as explosive as years past, but at 6-0, they're figuring out how to win.
As for the Niners, there will surely be questions about Purdy this week, some of them valid. But the reality is the 49ers at 3-4 are dealing with a multitude of debilitating injuries, including a feared torn ACL for receiver Brandon Aiyuk. There was one notable addition for the 49ers on Sunday though: receiver Ricky Pearsall made his NFL debut 50 days after he was shot in the chest.
The Washington Commanders had a scare as rookie sensation Jayden Daniels exited early Sunday with a rib injury. Marcus Mariota filled in admirably and led the Commanders to a 40-7 trouncing of the Carolina Panthers. The Commanders (5-2) have a narrow division lead over the Eagles (4-2) and face the Bears next week. The New York Jets' mid-season revolution hasn't gone well so far: they've lost both games since firing their head coach and trading for Davante Adams. The latest came during Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Adams catching just three of the nine throws that came his way for 30 yards in the heavy 37-15 loss. The Jets have plenty of excellent players and have lost a few close games. But a 2-5 record isn't a great look for a team that has gone all-in to win.
Amari Cooper's biggest fan may be Keon Coleman. Having a bona fide and threatening WR1 on the field helped Coleman have a monster day with seven targets, four receptions, and 125 receiving yards in the Buffalo Bills' 34-10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Green Bay Packers-Houston Texans didn't quite live up to the hype of its marquee billing but it was a nailbiter. New Packers kicker Brandon McManus punched a 45-yarder on the game's final play to give Green Bay the dramatic 24-22 win. Houston's offense was pulseless throughout, and the Texans were far too conservative in the game's final minutes. They were only in it thanks to Green Bay's equally bland offense and three turnovers, including two interceptions from Jordan Love.
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