Two Tough Outs Turned into Two Blowouts
Photo credit: ESPN
The games that I suggested to be tough outs for the Steelers and Bengals turned into blowout losses. Pittsburgh lost second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett in the process and Cincinnati still looks lost. The Ravens on the other hand, took care of the Deshaun Watson-less Browns.
The Tennessee Titans beat the Bengals at home, 27-3. Another game where Zac Taylor has trot out an injured QB Joe Burrow and the offense can’t find a way to score. This is a Titans team that’s very well coached but is pretty one dimensional. Feed Derrick Henry. That’s the offense. Teams that have blown out Tennessee this season have dedicated themselves to stopping Henry and forcing QB Ryan Tannehill to beat them with his arm; the Titans lose those games.
Burrow was only 20/30, for 165 yards and no touchdowns. Cincinnati found a way to run the ball against a tough defensive front in Tennessee, as running back Joe Mixon went for 67 yards on the ground on 14 attempts, that’s 4.8 yards per carry. The Bengals couldn’t continue to pound the rock as their defense gave up 24 points in the first half. The Bengals (1-3) have a must win game next week against the gritty Arizona Cardinals (1-3).
Henry played the best game of his 2023 campaign, as he recorded 122 yards on 22 carries and two total touchdowns, one rushing and one passing…yes, Henry threw a touchdown. Tannehill did enough to not throw the game away, as he was 18/25 for 240 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Titans (2-2) have a Week 5 matchup against division rivalry Indianapolis Colts (2-2).
Rookie QB C.J. Stroud continues to impress as he beat Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, 30-6 at home. Stroud finished the contest only 16/30, but for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns. Stroud has yet to throw an interception through the first four weeks of his young NFL career. Wide receiver Nico Collins had himself a day as he went for 168 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches. There was a passing touchdown by a running back in this game as well, as RB Devin Singletary threw a touchdown to tight end Dalton Schultz. Houston (2-2) has a date with the Atlanta Falcons (2-2), in Week 5.
Let’s get to the Steelers. QB Kenny Pickett, who suffered an apparent knee injury and left the game when it was already out of hand. Before the injury, Pickett was 15/23, for 114 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Ironically, after I wrote an article about Pittsburgh’s inability to run the football, RB Najee Harris ripped off 71 yards on 14 attempts and caught one pass for 32 yards in the loss.
“I’ll be ready to go by Sunday.”
It was a surprising defensive disappointment for the Black and Gold Brigade, as they surrendered 16 points in the first half and a 30-bomb in the game. The entire wide receiver core for the Steelers was held in check on Sunday, as both running backs led the team in receiving. Jaylen Warren had six catches for 26 yards, which was second behind Harris.
The game that was supposed to be highly anticipated, wasn’t, due to Watson not playing. As a result, Baltimore beat Cleveland 28-3. The Browns didn’t really stand a chance as their QB was out and their defense was on the field for a majority of the game.
QB Lamar Jackson was 15/19 for 186 yards passing and two touchdowns. Jackson also added nine rushes for 27 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Mark Andrews caught both touchdowns while adding five catches for 80 yards. The Ravens (3-1) will look to remain in first place with a win over the Steelers (2-2) in week 5.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
The Browns couldn’t do much offensively, as they only scored three points. Rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled in his first start as an NFL QB, as he was 19/36 for 121 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Browns (2-2) will look to get back in the win column after their bye week in Week 5.
