Cleveland Browns: Struggles Continue for Deshaun Watson
Neither the Cleveland Browns nor Deshaun Watson expected to start the 2024 season so poorly.
During a 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Watson struggled mightily (24-of-45, 169 yards, two interceptions, one touchdown) in his first game since last year's shoulder surgery.
Watson has played just 13 games since 2022 when he signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland that was fully guaranteed. Restless fans booed the Browns at home on Sunday, as Watson was punished by a Dallas defense that had 17 quarterback hits and six sacks.
Watson insisted that the performance wouldn't shake his confidence.
"Hell no," Watson said via Tom Withers of the Associated Press. "I'll always be Deshaun Watson, regardless of whoever else says otherwise. We all have days like this when you're playing this type of game, and that's just part of what comes with it. It comes with the territory. Especially in my position: much is given, much is required."
"It wasn't a pretty day for us. We've got to own it as a whole, particularly me as the leader of this offense."
Watson was off target on a host of throws and rarely took shots downfield, averaging just 2.6 air yards per completion.
Dallas put pressure on Watson all game with 17 quarterback hits and six sacks.
"Yeah, he got hit way too often," Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We can't let that happen to him. He fought like crazy, and listen, the football team fought like crazy to the end. But bottom line is, we have to protect our quarterback better than that."
Cleveland is expected to be without Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku for several weeks, who reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday's loss.
The Browns visit Jacksonville (0-1) in Week 2.
Cincinnati Bengals: After Loss in Home Opener, a Tough Game in Kansas City Awaits
The Bengals dropped their third consecutive season-opener, losing a 16-10 decision at home to the New England Patriots.
Ja'Marr Chase (six catches, 62 yards) ended his contract holdout and played despite suffering from food poisoning over the weekend. However, the Bengals' offense sputtered while Joe Burrow was limited to just 154 yards passing.
Burrow said he wasn't bothered by his surgically repaired throwing, but the Patriots' defense emphasized taking away the deep ball in Jerod Mayo's debut as head coach.
"They were taking [the deep ball] away," Burrow said via the Bengals’ website. "They had a good plan. I was just taking what they gave me. We will watch the tape
and see if we had some other opportunities to get the ball down the field and figure that out."
Chase didn't answer questions about his contract negotiations after the game, as he continues to seek a new deal. The Bengals are in danger of falling to 0-2, facing a road game against the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.
"We have to forget about it and move on to the next week," Chase said.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Fields Starts and Wins, But Mike Tomlin Doesn't Name Starter for Week 2
Pittsburgh opened with an 18-10 victory over the Falcons, as Justin Fields (17-of-23), 156 yards passing, 57 rushing yards) started with Russell Wilson dealing with a calf injury.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin wouldn't say after the game whether Fields or Wilson would start Week 2 when the Steelers visit the Broncos (0-1).
"You can ask me that on Tuesday," Tomlin said via Jarrett Bell of USA Today.
"I felt pretty good about both quarterbacks. I was very clear when I named Russ the starter how comfortable I was with both quarterbacks. If that is true, why not be really comfortable playing Justin under the circumstances, with Russ being in less-than-ideal physical shape. That was the thought process."
Fields didn't turn the ball over against the Falcons and had strong chemistry with wide receiver George Pickens (six catches, 85 yards), but Pittsburgh's offense didn't score a touchdown on Sunday. If Tomlin gives Fields another start, he vows to be ready.
"To be honest, I'm not even going to worry about that," Fields said. "I just came in wanting to win. So, in terms of who's starting, who's not, all I want to do is win at the end of the day."
