Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow Shares Frustration After Another 0-2 Start
The Cincinnati Bengals and the Ravens have begun the season in similar fashion.
Cincinnati is 0-2 for the third straight year after a frustrating 26-25 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The defeat dropped quarterback Joe Burrow's career record to 1-9 in Weeks 1 and 2.
It was another escape for the Chiefs in a game decided on the final play. The Bengals had an excellent chance to win and outgained Kansas City just like Baltimore did in Week 1. Joe Burrow (23-of-36, 258 yards, two touchdowns) had more passing yards than Patrick Mahomes (18-of-25, 151 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions) and the Bengals led by two points late in the game.
However, on fourth-and-16 late in the fourth quarter, Bengals rookie safety Daijahn Anthony was called for a pass interference penalty against Rashee Rice with 38 seconds remaining.
Burrow threw his helmet in disgust on the sideline after realizing the call had gone against Anthony.
That critical penalty set up Harrison Butker for the game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired. After the game, Burrow said the loss was gut-wrenching.
"This one stings a little bit," Burrow said via the Bengals' website.
Asked to describe the Bengals' sense of urgency after starting 0-2 again, Burrow said, "Very high."
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who "held-in" before the season in a contract dispute, was limited to four catches for 35 yards and was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter. Chase did not comment on the penalty after the game, but referee Alex Kemp told a pool reporter that Chase used abusive language toward an official.
The Bengals will try to win their first game in Week 3 when they host the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett Plans to Play Through Foot Pain
Cleveland All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett showed up on the injury report last week with a foot injury but was part of a dominant defensive effort in Cleveland's 18-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Browns sacked Trevor Lawrence four times, and he completed just 14-of-30 passes. Garrett had a sack and three tackles, and the double-team attention he drew from the Jaguars helped teammate Alex Wright sack Lawrence for a fourth-quarter safety.
Garrett didn't go into details about his foot injury but insisted he would continue to play through it.
"It didn't feel great," Garrett said via’ the Browns’ website. "Been battling it. Some ups and downs with it. Sometimes it felt a little better, sometimes it felt a little bit worse. I'll downplay it and play through it."
Deshaun Watson (22-of-34, 186 yards) opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run and played much steadier than in Week 1. But the strength of the Browns continues to be their defense, which gave up the fewest yards in the NFL in 2023. Garrett said Cleveland can't relax after getting its first win and will prepare to host the New York Giants in Week 3.
"There's no time to relax or feel like you got the monkey off your back," Garrett said. "There's no time to feel good about ourselves. We've got a lot to work on and a lot more to achieve."
Pittsburgh Steelers: Defense Dominates, Russell Wilson Gets 'Petty Game Ball' in Denver
The Steelers (2-0) are unbeaten largely because their defense has dominated. They've only scored one touchdown in two games, but their defense has surrendered just 16 total points after their 13-6 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Justin Fields (13-of-20, 117 yards, one touchdown) started at quarterback for the second straight game, as Russell Wilson watched from the sidelines in Denver due to his calf injury.
The Steelers knew this game had special meaning to Wilson, who was released by the Broncos last season. Wilson received a "petty game ball" from Head Coach Mike Tomlin after the victory, something he routinely gives to players who beat their former teams.
"I think we all know Russ got kind of did dirty last year," Fields said via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. "I know he wished he could have played today in this game, but it's awesome getting a win for him."
The Steelers hope to improve offensively when they host the unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) in Week 3, but Fields will take victories any way they come.
"It's hard to win in this league and especially on the road in these hostile environments," Fields said. "So being able to start off 2-0 this season and going back home next week, it's a great start to the season."
