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Diabierna 23 OctOber 2020

With flak flying back home, Browns visit struggling Bengals

by the Steelers. Quarterback bacle left Mayfield, recog- points.
Baker Mayfield, the first nized more for his national
overall draft pick in 2018, has TV commercials than de- Ground and pound
sore ribs and faced another pendable play, aching and Even without injured Pro
barrage of criticism from all watching the fourth quarter Bowl running back Nick
sides this week that he can't from the sideline while mer- Chubb, the Browns have
rise to the occasion in big curial receiver Odell Beck- stayed atop the league in
games. ham Jr. threw a temper tan- rushing yardage. Cleveland’s
trum. Mayfield was sacked averaging 169.5 yards per
Meanwhile, the Bengals (1- four times and intercepted game, and unless the Ben-
4-1) let another close one get twice in the game. gals have plugged some holes
away, losing to Indianapolis since the team’s first meet-
31-27 as rookie quarterback BACKING BAKER ing, that number could rise.
Joe Burrow, the first overall Mayfield’s shaky perfor-
pick this year, turned in an- mances in the last two games The Browns rushed for 215
other gutsy performance that — four interceptions in five yards in their win last month
just wasn't enough. He threw quarters — has generated a over Cincinnati, and fullback
an interception with 46 sec- lot of outside noise. But the Andy Janovich bragged they
onds left in the game as Cin- Browns are rallying around could have gotten “300 or
cinnati was driving for what the 25-year-old, who is 16-19 400, if we wanted.” Kareem
could have been the go-ahead as a starter and playing for his Hunt picked up 86 yards on
score. fourth head coach in three 10 carries against the Bengals
years. “This is not about any last time, and he figures to get
“We’re not panicking," Bur- one person, center JC Tretter a heavy workload this time
row said this week. "We could said. ”We all have to play bet- with Chubb still recovering
easily be 4-2 right now. One ter and raise our level." Said from a sprained knee.
or two plays made in each of Beckham: “I have Baker’s
these games and we’re right back.” Unhappy veterans
in the playoff hunt. We know Veteran sack specialists Geno
how close we are.” “I don’t give a damn what Atkins and Carlos Dunlap
(the critics) say,” Mayfield have expressed displeasure
Both teams desperately need said. “It is within this build- over their reduced roles in
a win in the Battle of Ohio ing. We know we can do bet- the Bengals' defense. The
for their confidence. In their ter. 32-year-old Atkins missed
first meeting in Week 2, the the first four games of the
Browns won 35-30 as Bur- Close but not enough season with a shoulder injury.
row attempted 61 passes — The Bengals have gotten ag- Although he's back, his play-
the second most by a rookie onizingly close to winning, ing time has been limited.
in NFL history— completing only to be done in by their
37 for 316 yards and three inability to shut the door. Last The 31-year-old Dunlap was
touchdowns. Sunday they led 21-0 in the dropped from the starting
second quarter but allowed lineup earlier this season and
(AP) — The Bengals keep Without a doubt Burrow Philip Rivers and the Colts publicly criticized coaches.
insisting they are bet- The rematch of the AFC has gotten more comfort- to rally. In Week 3, Cincin- Both are seeing fewer snaps
ter than their dismal re- North rivals on Sunday in able with the pro game since nati had to settle for a tie with even as the personnel on
cord. The Browns' crash Cincinnati could provide then, although his offensive the Philadelphia Eagles after Cincinnati's defensive front
in Pittsburgh last week more clarity. line and Cincinnati's injury- giving up a late touchdown. keeps changing because of
showed they might not be The Browns (4-2) are smart- plagued defense have been And three of the other four injuries.
as good as they thought. ing after a 38-7 pummeling lacking. The Pittsburgh de- losses were by a combined 12

Julio Jones feels good, tells Falcons 'You can lean on me'

(AP) — Todd Gurley mar- practice, Jones returned wide receivers. He also knew was that play he stiff-armed back. We’ve just got to go out
veled at the way a healthy Thursday and spoke with Jones is one of the league's a linebacker and just keeps there and play for one an-
Julio Jones made playing enthusiasm about his recov- most physical receivers. running.” other. We’ve got to have fun
football look like a video ery from the injury when he doing it.”
game. said, “Now I can go out, I can Still, watching on the field as Added Gurley: “It just tells Tight end Hayden Hurst
produce, I can be me, I can Jones used a stiff-arm against you, you get a healthy Julio said just having Jones on the
Gurley also was impressed have fun.” Vikings linebacker Eric Wil- playing, you get a win. I’ll field lifted the offense's con-
that a healthy Jones made the son to create space, turning take that every time.” fidence. Hurst, who began
Atlanta Falcons finally look Added Jones: “Lean on me. a short pass from Ryan into his career in Baltimore, com-
like winners. After missing all You can lean on me through- a 40-yard touchdown, was a The first win for the Falcons pared watching Jones in per-
but one half of the previous out the game. Everything. revelation for Gurley. (1-5) in the debut of Raheem son with being on the field
three games with a hamstring I’m ready to go. It’s a great Morris as interim coach pro- with Ravens quarterback La-
injury, Jones made a huge im- feeling. It’s a great spot to be Gurley said it was like watch- vided a boost for the team's mar Jackson.
pact in last week's 40-23 win in.” ing Jones in a video game. confidence entering the game
at Minnesota. Jones returned Jones' return to health is big “Just looked easy, bro," Gur- against Detroit. Ryan threw “Being on the field for it, be-
with eight catches for 137 news for quarterback Matt ley said Wednesday. “Just for four touchdowns and the ing able to see it in person is
yards and two touchdowns. Ryan, Gurley and Atlanta's like, I don’t know what to tell offense gained 462 yards. just totally different,” Hurst
other playmakers. you, I really don’t. It’s a credit said. “Being on the field with
It was a strong reminder of to him, how consistent he’s “It was very important for Julio and seeing how explo-
the value of a healthy Jones, Gurley, the running back in been able to be in his years in us, as an organization and sive he is and what he does to
including in Sunday's game his first season in Atlanta, al- the league. Not only just to just for everything about us,” guys from a speed standpoint,
against the Detroit Lions. ready knew Jones, the first- see it up close in person, him Jones said. “We’ve got to go from a strength standpoint, is
team All-Pro pick in 2015 and and Matt looking like they’re into this game like last week. remarkable.”
After missing Wednesday's 2016, is one of the NFL's top playing NFL Blitz. It just We’ve got to have our swag