NFL Week 7 live updates: Patriots-Jaguars from Wembley, Haason Reddick holdout ends, league schedule, predictions, odds
By Paul Dehner Jr., Zac Jackson and RJ Kraft
Joe Burrow’s two touchdown passes to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins helped the Cincinnati Bengals pull away in the second half of their 21-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in a matchup of AFC North foes.
Cincinnati wasted no time getting a lead on Cleveland with Charlie Jones taking the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Jones’ return was the third kickoff taken back for a touchdown in the dynamic kickoff era, which debuted this year.
CHARLIE JONES 100 YARDS ON THE OPENING KICKOFF
📺: #CINvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/rxdtFzQnra— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
After a sluggish offensive first half, Burrow led touchdown drives of 65 and 50 yards in the third quarter, each capped off with TD passes to Chase (18 yards) and Higgins (25 yards). Burrow threw for 181 yards on the day.
Browns running back Nick Chubb returned to action for Cleveland for the first time since a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season. The 28-year-old reached the end zone for the team’s lone rushing touchdown on the day and ran for 22 yards. This game marked Cleveland’s first game since its Tuesday trade of wide receiver Amari Cooper.
A comeback 398 days in the making 👏
📺: #CINvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/3Im9d6bB9W— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
Quarterback Deshaun Watson was putting together a solid first half (15-of-17 for 128 yards) before suffering what is believed to be a torn Achilles, a league source told The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. Watson suffered the non-contact injury late in the first half and was later carted off the field with a towel over his head. After taking the snap on what appeared to be a quarterback draw, Winston pushed forward before falling to the ground and grabbing his leg. Dorian Thompson-Robinson took over before exiting with a finger injury, which allowed emergency quarterback Jameis Winston to enter the game in the fourth quarter. Winston took the Browns down the field for a touchdown to close the deficit to one score.
The victory moves Cincinnati to 3-4 ahead of a Week 8 date with the Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland is now 1-6 and will host another division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 8.
Bengals’ big impact on defense and special teams
Another week for defense and special teams dictating the terms of the game for the Bengals. The degree of difficulty was again low with the Browns’ offense lacking any level of firepower or efficiency. That said, the Cincinnati defense did what a solid defense should against that level of opposition. They created turnovers, stifled the Browns running game, created consistent pressure and showed signs of life non-existent earlier in the season.
On top of that, the adjustment by special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons to open the game putting tight end Drew Sample in front of return man Jones for the first time this season proved to be shrewd and made a major impact in the kickoff return that set the tone for the day going up 7-0 immediately. — Paul Dehner Jr., Bengals beat writer
Cincy’s O-woes become concerning
There aren’t many teams the Bengals’ offense would have been good enough to beat over the last two weeks other than the New York Giants and Browns. Despite the defense producing prime opportunities to put the Browns away early, the Bengals’ offense squandered them in another sloppy performance against Cleveland. The Bengals didn’t convert a third or fourth down before halftime. They were gifted a turnover in Cleveland territory in the third quarter and couldn’t even muster a field goal.
Last week in New York could be characterized as a blip for a team that’s been elite offensively most of the season, but this trend raises an eyebrow. Cincy still has Higgins and Chase, so this team will always be able to out-talent its way to enough points to beat the scuffling Browns, but the Bengals need to evaluate what’s going on during these long scoring droughts. — Dehner
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Eye test still shows some spots
The Bengals took advantage of two of the worst teams in the NFL to scratch back to 3-4 and won in Cleveland for the first time since 2017. That doesn’t mean they have regained momentum or status among the AFC’s contenders. The eye test still shows a team missing too many opportunities and failing to put together a complete game. With the Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders on deck, the Bengals can get away with these mistakes for a few more weeks, but by the time they reach Baltimore in early November, they need to have the deficiencies fixed that showed up the last two weeks. — Dehner
Assessing Cleveland’s future
The Browns were already sunk this season. The loss of Watson will provide opportunity for another quarterback, but the bigger picture discussions must be about looking towards the future. The offense was horrendous under Watson and went backwards gradually with Thompson-Robinson subbing Sunday. The Browns must have honest conversations about their expensive roster, which players might have trade value in the next two weeks and what’s still to be gained for some young players this season.
At 1-6, it’s time to focus on future years — stressing not just one. Watson’s contract is fully guaranteed for injury, so the Browns will eventually have to decide how to handle that. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
Winston takes the reins late
Winston started the day as an inactive player dressed only for an emergency, but he finished the game at quarterback for the Browns and led a 60-yard touchdown drive late. Thompson-Robinson was taken to the locker room in the final five minutes with a finger injury, so by rule the Browns had to have Winston report that he was entering the game for injury reasons. Winston was the backup for the first six games, but Thompson-Robinson was No. 2 on Sunday and took over following Watson’s injury. — Jackson
Browns’ defense can’t do it alone
The Browns still have penalty issues, kicking issues and a mediocre receiving corps. All those popped up against the Bengals in different ways and served as a reminder that while the Browns have the defense to compete, they simply don’t have the offense or the discipline necessary. Cedric Tillman at least was involved in the offense following last week’s trade of Cooper, and for two-plus quarters the defense played like one of the league’s better units. There just were few bright spots, matching what we’d seen on the six previous Sundays. The Browns have the most expensive roster in NFL history and are now playing for a position in the top five of next year’s draft. — Jackson
Required reading
- In-season WR trades usually flop. Here’s why Davante Adams, Amari Cooper could be different
- With Nick Chubb returning, Browns hoping to get some type of offensive boost
- Three Bengals trends to monitor amid critical development of recent draft classes
(Photo: Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
