NFL Week 9: Browns, Bengals host a pair of AFC West foes
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns still have lots of work to do in order to climb back into postseason contention, but one team feels a whole let better about its trajectory than the other.
Here is a look into the Week 9 games.
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-6)Sunday, Nov. 3 at Huntington Bank Field, 1 p.m.
Famous Jameis: It was reported on NBC4 last week that plugging in Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback might give the Browns offense new life . Famous Jameis is now the talk of the town. Winston, in his first NFL start in over two years, completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a statement game against its division rival Baltimore Ravens. The statement was that the Browns aren't going to go away quietly.
Winston became only the second Browns quarterback to eclipse the 300-yard total in the Deshaun Watson era. The other was Joe Flaco, who did it four times in five starts last season. Watson, who had not thrown for 200 yards in a game this season, had not reached 300 yards passing since the 2020 season finale as a member of the Houston Texans.
It was a much-needed infusion for a reeling offense which no longer has its its best receiving weapon Amari Cooper, after he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. But Winston confidently connected with receivers Cedrick Tillman, Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy, who combined for 20 receptions and 263 yards. Tillman added a pair of touchdowns, and tight end David Njoku (5-61) added another score.
Winston's 8.1 yards per pass (and a career 7.7 average) highlighted a major distinction between him and Watson – the ability to push the ball downfield. Winston completed nine passes of 15 yards or more, including TD passes of 38, 23 and 22.
The Chargers, however, are a much stingier test for the Browns, as evidenced by yielding just 13 points per game. The Bolts have also allowed the fewest first downs, are a top five team defending third-down conversions and are the second least penalized defense in the league. The Charges also don't cough up the ball much on offense, boasting a +6-turnover ratio, committed just four all season.
: 1 1⁄2. O/U: 42 1⁄2.
: Unlike the Chargers, Cleveland struggles to create short fields, having forced zero turnovers over the last three games. LA wins the turnover battle and the game, 19-17.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)Sunday, Oct. 3 at Paycor Stadium, 1 p.m.
Holidays come early: Once again after a tough loss, the Cincinnati schedule offers a gift. The Las Vegas Raiders can't get out of their own way. It ranks 31st in rushing yards gained, with their leading backs, Alexander Mattison and Zamir White, among the worst in yards per carry, 3.19 and 3.04 respectively. The team, which averaged 1.57 yards per carry last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the second time this season the Raiders failed to rush for over two yards a pop, which is double the amount the remaining 31 NFL teams have accomplished that dubious statistic.
The Raiders also rank 31st in interceptions thrown, including eight by starter Gardner Minshew, and 27th in sacks allowed (22).
While defensively the team has had success against opposing wide receivers, it's been proven vulnerable against quality tight ends. With WR Tee Higgins (quad) likely out this Sunday, the attention turns toward TE Mike Gesicki, who excelled in an elevated role last week with 73 yards on eight receptions. The Raiders, when facing a team with upper echelon tight ends – Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce – have been exposed. Gesicki is hardly in the aforementioned category, but with Joe Burrow on pace for a huge year, the opportunities will be plentiful this week.
: Bengals 7 1⁄2. O/U: 46 1⁄2.
