Browns: Baker Mayfield Named Starting Quarterback
On Thursday Night Football, rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield broke the Browns' 19-game winless streak with a comeback win over the New York Jets. Four days later, he was named Cleveland's starter over Tyrod Taylor, who suffered a concussion in the Jets game.
The 2018 first-overall pick went 17-of-23 for 201 yards (100.1 QB rating) in his first NFL action. Mayfield will face the Oakland Raiders this week, followed by the Ravens in Week 5 in what will be the first home start of his NFL career.
Here's how Mayfield is handling the Browns' announcement of the news:
Steelers: Fielding Trade Offers for Le'Veon Bell
As All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell continues to hold out, the Steelers are now reportedly taking action. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter and others, the Steelers are listening to trade offers after previously spurning them. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Pittsburgh has already received a few inquiries. The New York Jets are among the interested teams, per the New York Daily News.
A trade would still be complicated, as Bell would have to sign his franchise tender before any deal could be done, meaning he would have to agree with the trade. Plus, he could require a long-term contract extension be part of the equation. Rapoport expects talks to heat up as the NFL's Oct. 30 trade deadline draws closer.
The Steelers are looking for their first win of the season as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tonight on Monday Night Football.
Bengals: Tough Week 3 With Loss, Injuries
The Bengals are no longer sitting solely atop the AFC North standings, as they dropped their first game of the season to the Carolina Panthers, 31-21. The Bengals and Ravens now both sport 2-1 records.
Quarterback Andy Dalton threw four interceptions and the Bengals surrendered 230 rushing yards, including 184 to running back Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers attacked Cincinnati on the ground, running the ball 41 times to just 24 passes.
To make matters worse for the Bengals, wide receiver A.J. Green left the game in the third quarter with a groin injury suffered when he landed on his hip. He said his "two bones just hit against [each other]." Green expects to play next week in Atlanta, but Head Coach Marvin Lewis said he's "not sure."
NFL/AFC: Patriots Fall to 1-2
Perhaps the most surprising fact of the young NFL season is that the Browns (1-1-1) have a better record than the New England Patriots (1-2) through three weeks. The Patriots fell to the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football, 26-10. Tom Brady was 14-of-26 for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Former Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was traded to New England, was inactive.
NFL/NFC: Jimmy Garappolo Suffers Torn ACL
Another scrambling quarterback suffered an ACL tear, giving the league and fans more caution about signal-callers who take off running. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garappalo suffered a season-ending torn ACL late in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs as he scrambled down the left sideline.
