(Cleveland) Deshaun Watson caught a touchdown pass and provided a rushing touchdown Sunday, helping the Cleveland Browns win 24-3 over the Cincinnati Bengals. Quebecer Matthew Bergeron makes his NFL debut.
The Browns muzzled opposing quarterback Joe Burrow, the highest paid player in the NFL.
Watson had a 13-yard scoring run late in the first half.
It’s the kind of dynamic play the Browns (1-0) envisioned when signing him to a $230 million deal in 2022. Last season, Watson missed 11 games for violating league policy. regarding personal conduct.
His presence from week 1 led the Browns to think big.
Watson completed a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant in the final quarter. He made the two-point conversion by running straight ahead.
Burrow agreed to a $275 million contract extension on Friday.
He experienced a career low with 82 air yards (14 in 31), against a remodeled Browns defense.
Browns players were motivated by the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase using the word “elves” to talk about them earlier in the week. They made life tough on Burrow from the start, earning their first win since 2014 in case their season starts at home.
“The guys wanted to prove something,” Watson said. They did what they had to do. The guys are on fire and they have the approach to match. They have energy and we saw it today. »
Myles Garrett had a sack on fourth down early in the fourth quarter, helping seal the win against the AFC North champions.
The Bengals (0-1) cleared 10 times in 14 possessions.
The club pulled Burrow with 5:15 left in the game. He concluded the match on the bench, arms crossed.
Dustin Hopkins had field goals of 42, 34 and 43 yards in his debut with the Browns. They hired him last month, after thanking Cade York.
The 100e Ohio’s battle allowed coach Kevin Stefanski to improve his record to 6-1 against Cincinnati.
Watson’s touchdown run gave the Browns a 10-0 lead late in a first half that resulted in 11 punts. Amari Cooper made a major block in the sequence.
Burrow missed most of training camp with a calf injury and didn’t have the same ease of movement as usual.
Throughout the game, the Browns honored the late Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown. The most productive running back in their history, he died in May at the age of 87.
Nick Chubb of the Browns came onto the field carrying a flag with Brown’s number 32. He went to the other end zone and handed it to Brown’s son, Aris.
His number was painted on both sidelines and throughout the campaign, Browns players will wear a patch with the number 32.
Chubb also stood out with 106 yards rushing on 18 carries.
“He’s the best in the world,” Watson said. He will continue to show it. »
The Bengals will play at home next Sunday against fellow section rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.
In another North American game, the Browns will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 18.
Falcons beat Panthers, Bergeron makes debut
PHOTO DANNY KARNIK, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Desmond Ridder (9) and Derrick Brown (95)
In their first NFL game, Bijan Robinson had the upper hand against Bryce Young and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 on Sunday.
This means that Quebecer Matthew Bergeron savored victory in his official debut in the NFL. Bergeron, a recent second-round pick, started the game at guard. The Falcons offensive line allowed four sacks during the game, but none were attributable to the Quebecer. She also allowed the ground game to be successful with two touchdowns from Tyler Allgeier.
Young was the victim of two interceptions by Jessie Bates in what was a rough start to the NFL for the former University of Alabama star, who is being counted on to get the Panthers back on track. way.
Robinson was selected eighth by the Falcons, casting aside the belief that running backs shouldn’t be drafted so quickly. He showed his versatility by catching an 11-yard touchdown pass.
He also ran 21 yards to pave the way for the touchdown that gave the Falcons the lead, Tyler Allgeier’s three-yard run, in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
“It was a really fun first game for me,” Robinson said. I can’t wait to show what we can do again. »
Allgeier added a touchdown on another three-yard run with just under five minutes remaining in the game.
It was a tough day for offenses led by young quarterbacks with a lot to prove.
Desmond Ridder, who started the final four games of his rookie season, previewing his first full year in charge, didn’t get much in the way of long passes. He completed 15 of his 18 passes, for 116 yards.
It was even tougher for Young, the first overall pick. One of the few good moments was in the second quarter, when he spotted Hayden Hurst for his first touchdown, on a four-yard play.
Veteran wide winger Adam Thielen said it’s not a single setback that will erode the club’s confidence in Young.
“We definitely believe in him,” said Thielen, who had 12 yards on two receptions. We have great confidence in him. »
The game was tied 7-7 at halftime.
Young was sacked twice and received a delay of game penalty.
He completed 20 of 38 passes for 146 yards. Young had the chance to become the first quarterback since David Carr in 2002 to win his first career start after being taken first overall in the draft.
“It’s my fault,” Young said. I have to execute better. I didn’t do a good job with the ball and in certain situations. I will try to learn and improve. »
The last 15 players in this situation are 0-14-1.
Robinson’s first career touchdown was a memorable one, as it was orchestrated by Bates’ first interception of the game, putting the Falcons at the Panthers’ 17.
The Panthers’ Jaycee Horn left the game in the first half and did not return, following a back thigh injury.
The Panthers (0-1) will host the New Orleans Saints on September 18.
The Falcons (1-0) will host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.
Eagles win 25-20 in Foxborough, Quebec’s Sow in lineup
PHOTO BRIAN FLUHARTY, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Justin Evans (30).
Darius Slay returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown on Sunday, helping the Philadelphia Eagles to a 25-20 win over the New England Patriots.
Player from Bromont Sidy Sow played his first game for the Patriots since the two guards, Cole Strange and Michael Onwenu, were unavailable. The fourth-round pick evolved as a right guard. The former Incredibles of the J. -H. Leclerc couldn’t do anything when Darius Slay returned an interception for a major. But in the end, the Pats offensive line allowed just two sacks.
The Eagles quickly took advantage of two turnovers by the Patriots, who also paid tribute to their former star quarterback Tom Brady at the half.
Jalen Hurts completed 22 of 33 passes for 170 yards, including a five-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith.
In the fourth quarter, he fumbled the ball and the Pats came close to turning the game around, but the Eagles escaped.
Jake Elliott provided four field goals for Philadelphia (1-0), which didn’t score a touchdown beyond the first quarter.
Not very effective at the start of the game, Mac Jones finally amassed 316 passing yards, including three connections for touchdowns. He was the victim of an interception.
Kendrick Bourne had two touchdown receptions, one more than Hunter Henry.
In terms of yards obtained, the Patriots (0-1) dominated 382-251 against the National champions.
New England pulled within 25-20 on an 11-yard touchdown catch from Bourne late in the final quarter. We wanted to make a two-point convert but it was a failure twice, the first due to a holding penalty.
Hurts continued by carrying the ball eight yards himself, before a tackle from Jabrill Peppers caused him to lose the object.
Marcus Jones picked it up, placing the ball at the Eagles 41 line with 3:28 on the clock.
The threat ended on second down, where Jordan Davis and Josh Sweat combined for a sack.
The Patriots had one more chance, making their way to the opposing 19 line, the result of a 17-yard catch from Mike Gesicki, with 1:02 remaining.
But once again a sack, this time from Jalen Carter, dampened the momentum of the crowd favorites.
Then, on a fourth down and 11, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte came close to putting his second foot inside the field, less than 10 yards from the end zone. The recovery, however, confirmed that this was not the case.
The Patriots’ first five drives were nothing – Slay’s burst, a fumble that ended up costing a touchdown, then three streaks of three consecutive failed attempts. The Eagles took advantage to take a 16-0 lead.
The score improved to 16-14 before the visitors entered the final quarter leading 19-14.
Three points were added when Elliott narrowly completed a 48-yard kick.
Elliott added a 51-yard pass midway through the final frame.
The Eagles will play again on Thursday, when they host the Minnesota Vikings.
The Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins next Sunday evening.
Kyle Hightower, Associated Press