In his first NFL prime-time game and second start, Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow won over everybody but the scoreboard in the 35-30 loss to the Browns in Cleveland Thursday night. Burrow was 37-of-61 passing for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
Browns, Clock Run Out On Bengals, 35-30
Burrow, on his way to three touchdown passes in his first prime-time game, swashbuckled his team back into the game with 5:55 left. But on the ensuing possession the Browns' 1-2 ground punch of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt gashed the Cincinnati defense and put away the 35-30 victory.
Reader: 'That Can't Happen,' As Browns Bury Bengals On Ground
In the 62 games Bengals nose tackle D.J. Reader played for the Texans before coming over here, his proud and perennial playoff Texans defense had allowed more than 200 yards rushing just twice. And not until the last month of last season. So when the Browns put 215 yards on the Bengals in Thursday night's game, Reader didn't take it too well.
Bill Willis and Paul Brown Still A Presence At Bengals-Browns
Bill Willis, who along with his head coach, Paul Brown, helped break pro football's color line when they were in Cleveland, always seemed to get an invite to a Bengals-Browns game in Cincinnati. As the NFL celebrated its 100th anniversary Thursday, the sons reflected on their fathers.
Burrow's Finish Kicked As Chargers Prevail
The week began with a home contest against the Los Angeles Chargers in another close call. After wide receiver A.J. Green was called for pass interference against cornerback Casey Hayward, Jr., with seven seconds left to nullify a perfect winning touchdown pass from Burrow, Randy Bullock missed the tying 31-yard field goal to the right while suffering a left calf injury in the Chargers' 16-13 victory Sunday in the opener at Paul Brown Stadium.
Check out some of the best images from the Bengals week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Who Dey!
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
The Cincinnati Bengals stand arm in arm as "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is played before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks ahead pregame before the team's week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) tosses the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon (28) rushes through the line against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow spikes the football after scoring the first rushing touchdown of his NFL career.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs past Los Angeles Chargers' Rayshawn Jenkins (23) for a touchdownon , Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, left, celebrates with teammates after Burrow ran for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals' A.J. Green (18) makes a catch against Los Angeles Chargers' Casey Hayward (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals' Germaine Pratt (57) and Sam Hubbard (94) celebrate during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Los Angeles Chargers' Austin Ekeler (30) is chased by Cincinnati Bengals' Josh Bynes (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) is sacked during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Los Angeles Chargers' Keenan Allen (13) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals' William Jackson (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals' C.J. Uzomah (87) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock (4) boots a field goal out of the hold of Kevin Huber (10) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Other Noteworthy Items
- Thursday's game at Cleveland was the first time Bengals President Mike Brown did not travel with the team in 824 games.
- Bengals fan cutouts raised $34,000 for local charities.
- Find out from Dan Hoard, Dave Lapham and Geoff Hobson about the encouraging signs they've seen from the Bengals this week.
