Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson Argues With Right Tackle During Loss to Raiders
The Cleveland Browns' 1-3 record in September has led to frustration as players and coaches seek answers.
Shortly before halftime of Cleveland's 20-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, television cameras caught Deshuan Watson and backup quarterback Jameis Winston chastising right tackle Dawand Jones after he missed a block. Watson was hit on the play and threw an errant pass that was incomplete to Amari Cooper, who had broken free from his defender.
When they got to the sideline, Watson clapped his hands in anger and yelled at Jones while Winston was held back from Jones by teammates.
"We just all got to get on the same page, so we can execute and try to win and be explosive," Watson said after the game, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com "That was it. We all knew [the play would have been a touchdown]. We've just got to execute and be on the same page to make those big plays."
Jones took responsibility for missing the block.
"I'm more mad at myself," Jones said. "Just got to lock in a little better on the play count. … That's just a mental error and we can't have that."
The Browns had a controversial holding penalty on offensive lineman Nick Harris wipe off an 82-yard touchdown to Cooper in the fourth quarter that would have given the Browns the lead.
The Browns are 1-3 for the first time under fifth-year Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Watson has yet to throw for 200 yards in any game this season. They were hoping to get on the right track against the Raiders (2-2), who were without their two best players, defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle) and wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring).
Cleveland faces a tough challenge in Week 5 visiting the Washington Commanders (3-1), who are riding a three-game winning streak led by red-hot rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase Is Heating Up With Ravens Up Next
After "holding in" during training camp while seeking a contract extension, Bengals star receiver Ja'Marr Chase has found his stride.
Chase has nine catches for 203 yards over his last two games, and his electrifying 63-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown on Sunday helped Cincinnati (1-3) to its first win of the season, 34-24, over the Carolina Panthers. After catching a pass from Joe Burrow on a crossing pattern, Chase broke three tackles on his way to the end zone.
Chase hasn't gotten his new contract yet, but he has definitely gotten hot.
"That was an unbelievable play," Burrow said via Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. "That's just a reminder for me, you've just got to find ways to get him the ball. The offensive line did a great job on that play. I could have sat back there for another five seconds if I wanted to."
The performance by Chase moved him into an elite club with Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, A.J. Green, and Odell Beckham Jr. as the only wide receivers with 4,000 yards receiving and 30 touchdowns over their first 50 career games.
The Bengals will try to win two straight for the first time this season when they host the Ravens in Week 5.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Another Sluggish Offensive Start Leads to First Loss
The Steelers (3-1) lost for the first time Sunday and lead the Ravens (2-2) by just one game in the early-season AFC North race.
Pittsburgh scored just three first-half points during a 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (16-of-26, 168 yards, two touchdowns) sparked the Colts after Anthony Richardson departed in the first half with a hip injury.
While quarterback Justin Fields had his best statistical game for the Steelers (22-of-34, 312 yards, three total touchdowns), slow starts continued to be an issue. Pittsburgh trailed 17-3 at halftime and have scored just five total points in the first half during its last two games.
"It's not a pregame routine," Fields said via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com "It's not doing something special or drinking a different color Gatorade. It is none of that. It's just coming out first play, coming out focused, ready to go. We didn't do that at the start."
Fields started his fourth straight game as Russell Wilson remained sidelined with a calf injury. The Steelers host the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 5.
