Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) struggles with the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Joe Burrow seemingly has it all, including a long list of accomplishments during his football career: a Heisman Trophy, victories over Patrick Mahomes, a trip to the Super Bowl, a massive contract.
However, there is one thing that has eluded the Cincinnati quarterback.
A victory in Cleveland.
Burrow is 0-3 on the road against the Browns and the Bengals haven’t beaten division and in-state rival Cleveland since 2017, when their star QB was a sophomore at Ohio State and was waiting for his chance to play.
As he prepared for another shot at the Browns (1-5) this week, Burrow said his winless run on the shores of Lake Erie was a sore point for him and his teammates.
“Yeah, sure,” said Burrow, who is just 1-5 against Cleveland. “We didn’t have success against this divisional opponent, so that’s always frustrating and that’s something we’re looking for. We have to go get this one.
Burrow is not alone in his misery against the Browns. Coach Zac Taylor is 0-5 in Cleveland, and the Bengals don’t have a single player on their roster who has won at what is now Huntington Bank Field.
“It’s terrible,” defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. “I let everyone know this morning in our defensive meeting room that we haven’t gotten on the happy bus yet. They are aware of what this building presents, what this team presents to us and the challenges. We must step up our efforts and do better.
The Bengals (2-4) are trying to claw their way back after another slow start, which has been a trend over the past three years.
Cincinnati opened 1-3 in 2023, when it finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs. In 2022, the Bengals opened 2-3 before turning things around and advancing to a second straight AFC title game.
Burrow is not the problem. He is completing a career-best 71.6 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His QB rating of 110.3 leads the league.
But the Bengals were plagued by offensive line issues, they lost two games on the last play and it took a minute for things to gel on both ends.
“Ideally we would be 6-0,” Burrow said. “But we’re not there, and that’s how this year has gone.” There’s a lot of urgency in the building to go win games. I think the guys are handling things the right way.
Browns down
Cleveland has its own problems, starting with an offense that has yet to score 20 points or produce a 300-yard game.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s inconsistent play is a major factor, but the Browns’ problems can’t be blamed on one player and are widespread.
So far, coach Kevin Stefanski has resisted playing backup Jameis Winston because he believes Watson gives the Browns their best chance to win. However, this decision becomes more and more difficult to justify with each loss.
Watson has yet to throw for 200 yards and it doesn’t help that he’s been sacked a league-high 31 times. Cleveland is 30th in scoring (15.8 points), 32nd in yards (240.2), first downs (15) and third down conversions (19.2%).
Penalties have been a problem throughout the season. On their way to a potential game-tying TD last week in the fourth quarter in Philadelphia, the Browns committed back-to-back false starts and had to settle for a field goal.
Watson believes a turnaround is possible.
“Every week we get encouragement,” Watson said. “We have flashes and things like that. It just comes down to the self-inflicted things we talk about every week. We must continue to find ways to not shoot ourselves in the foot.
Managing the cooperative
Cleveland’s season took an interesting turn this week with the team’s decision to trade No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper to Buffalo.
Cooper hadn’t played up to his standards, and the only player to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in club history wasn’t happy that the team refused to give him a contract extension. contract this summer.
A fire sale does not seem imminent. But if the Browns don’t start winning, general manager Andrew Berry could make other deals in the coming weeks.
“It’s part of the business,” Watson said. “So, to me, it’s not a bad message. I’ve been in this league for eight years and I’ve seen it happen over time. So it’s about what the front office and the organization feels is best.
An inspiring return
Nick Chubb has done it again.
Cleveland’s star running back will make his season debut Sunday after being sidelined since Week 2 of last season with a devastating left knee injury. This is the second time Chubb has had to undergo major reconstruction after injuring the same knee in 2015 at Georgia.
Chubb’s return energized his teammates, who were impressed by his determination during another grueling rehabilitation.
“I respect him so much as a person and a player and what it means to play football,” left guard Joel Bitoni said. “You do it for the guys around you, you do it for your teammates and he puts it on the line.
“So I’m delighted to have him back there. It’s always fun blocking Nick Chubb.
