CLEVELAND — An already catastrophic season has only gotten worse.
The Browns lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 21-14 on Sunday, extending their losing streak to five and dropping their 2024 record to 1-6. Yet even that was overshadowed by the status of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was carted off the field late in the first half with an Achilles injury.
Attempting to lead a game-tying drive, Watson tucked the ball to run before going down on the turf without being touched. He clutched his right leg as his teammates came out to show their compassion before he was wheeled to the locker room.
Following the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters it "looks like" Watson's injury will end his season. The 29-year-old is still undergoing more tests, however.
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Prior to kickoff, Cleveland's coaching staff had promoted Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the backup role, supplanting Jameis Winston. The former dual-threat star at UCLA in his second year of pro ball struggled to get into a groove, as the Browns' overall offensive woes continued.
Though he did run for 44 yards on three carries, Thompson-Robinson completed only 11 of 24 passes for 82 yards and two interceptions, equaling a paltry passer rating of 19.8. He was replaced by Winston in the final minutes after injuring his hand, and Winston was able to find David Njoku for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 1:27 left. However, the Bengals recovered the onside kick and were able to kneel on the ball to preserve the victory.
Cleveland actually out-gained Cincinnati 336-223 and went 8 of 19 on third-down plays, but the turnovers as well as a missed field goal and extra point by Dustin Hopkins proved costly. The Browns also continued a troublesome trend with 10 penalties for 80 yards.
Overall, Cleveland's defense did a solid job holding Cincinnati in check. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome the miscues on offense and special teams.
Cincy QB Joe Burrow earned his first career win in four starts at Huntington Bank Field, going 15 of 25 for 181 yards and TD throws to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bengals' big play came on special teams, though, with Charlie Jones taking the opening kickoff back 100 yards for the score.
For the Browns, David Njoku recorded 10 receptions for 76 yards and the late TD, while Cedric Tillman delivered perhaps his best NFL game with eight grabs for 81 yards. The highlight of the day for the home crowd came from Nick Chubb, who despite running for only 22 yards on 11 carries did manage to score his first touchdown since coming back from gruesome knee injury suffered a season ago.
Cleveland's 2024 campaign is now officially on life support, as only one team in NFL history has gone on to make the playoffs after starting 1-6 since the 1970 merger (ironically, it was the 1970 Bengals). The Browns will host the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday, with the name of the new starting quarterback still a mystery.