The Cleveland Browns entered Sunday's Battle of Ohio against the Cincinnati Bengals with drama matching the storylines found on many reality shows. The late-week dismissal of Odell Beckham Jr. was the pregame hype and permeated the airwaves.
With the presumed turmoil in the Cleveland locker room, host Cincinnati was favored to win.
Cincinnati looked good early as Joe Burrow and the Bengals marched down the field on the game's opening drive. But facing 3rd-and-goal from the three-yard line, Burrow tried to connect with his favorite target Ja'Marr Chase and was instead picked off by his former Ohio State teammate Denzel Ward. 99 yards later, Cleveland was up 7-0, as Ward shook Burrow out of his shoes and left the quarterback floundering on the field while racing down the field.
DENZEL WARD. 100-YARD PICK-6. #Browns
— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
: #CLEvsCIN on CBS
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/6YCHI0bBH7
The Pro Bowl cornerback has a penchant for huge performances against the in-state rival. Last year, Ward forced eight tight window passes on 11 balls thrown his way and limited A.J. Green to two catches for 14 yards in the Browns’ 35-31 victory over the Bengals in 2020.
On Sunday, Ward finished the contest with three passes defended, two tackles and according to Pro Football Focus, a very impressive 0.0 passer rating when targeted.
Denzel Ward coverage stats vs. Bengals:
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) November 7, 2021
41 snaps
1 Catch Allowed (11 Yards)
1 Pick Six
0.0 Passer Rating When Targeted
pic.twitter.com/DZzdE0gFja
Burrow completed 28 of his 40 passes for 282 yards but was intercepted twice and sacked five times in the Browns’ 41-16 win. Burrow has thrown 11 interceptions this season.
On the other side of the ball, Sam Hubbard recorded a sack, two tackles for loss and tallied four tackles from his defensive end position for the Bengals.
The Buckeyes in the Bengals’ secondary did not fare as well as Ward. Specifically, Eli Apple was burnt by Donovan Peoples-Jones on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield in the second quarter.
we got live dots on a broadcast!!! pic.twitter.com/0uf7614WEH
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) November 7, 2021
With the Bengals trailing 24-10 in the third quarter, Nick Chubb ran by Eli Apple on a 70-yard touchdown. Vonn Bell tried his best to chase down the Browns running back but was left in the wake.
Not sure why Eli Apple was playing safety here but it didn't go well https://t.co/g4WW9eo4BQ
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 7, 2021
According to PFF, Apple allowed four catches for 101 yards in the game.
The Bengals (5–4) and Browns (5–4) are now tied for last place in the AFC North. Next week, Cleveland travels to Foxborough to play New England and Cincinnati has a bye week.
Fields bounces back after Heyward pick
Denzel Ward wasn't the only Ohio State defender to pick off a former Buckeye quarterback in Week 9. On Monday night, a Chicago Bears drive came to a screeching halt when Cam Heyward raised his big paws and stole a Justin Fields pass at the line of scrimmage.
.@CamHeyward does it all for the @Steelers! #HereWeGo
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2021
: #CHIvsPIT on ESPN
: https://t.co/leKnrGxv9H pic.twitter.com/rRMWaXRKea
That was the second interception of Heyward’s NFL career. His first also came on Monday Night Football in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2020 season opener against the New York Giants.
As the game progressed, however, Fields heated up.
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Fields threw a perfect 28-yard strike over two defenders to Jimmy Graham.
Fields. STRIKE. #DaBears
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2021
: #CHIvsPIT on ESPN
: https://t.co/leKnrGxv9H pic.twitter.com/vR8egGRqwS
Late in the fourth quarter, after a very questionable taunting call against the Bears set up a Steelers field goal that increased Pittsburgh's lead to 26-20, the stage was set for Fields to lead the Bears on a game-winning drive.
Following the two-minute warning, Chicago faced a 3rd-and-2 from its own 45. Fields dropped back and dropped a dime to Allen Robinson for 39 yards to the Pittsburgh 16-yard line.
Fields to Robinson on 3rd & 2! #DaBears
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2021
: #CHIvsPIT on ESPN
: https://t.co/leKnrGxv9H pic.twitter.com/kMbrCf5Qsw
On the very next play, Fields delivered a perfect pass to Darnell Mooney for a 16-yard go-ahead touchdown.
CLUTCH @justnfields @Darnell_M1 #CHIvsPIT | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/JeHgxKX4r3
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 9, 2021
The comeback was complete, but there was still 1:46 on the clock. For the grizzled football fan, you've seen this story before. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers drove down the field and Boswell made a 40-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh a 29-27 lead.
Fields got one more chance to mount a game-winning drive and was able to get the ball to the Pittsburgh 47-yard line, but time ultimately ran out on the Bears as Cairo Santos missed a 65-yard field goal attempt on the game’s final play.
Cairo Santos cant hit the looooong 65-yard field goal attempt, Steelers squeeze out the W on #MNF!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 9, 2021
(: @NFL) pic.twitter.com/874a7z2WjR
Still, it was perhaps the best performance of Fields’ young NFL career to date as he completed 17 of 29 passing attempts for 291 yards (a new career-high) while he also ran for 45 yards on eight carries.
Bronco Buckeyes buck Cowboys
Jonathon Cooper and Baron Browning made their first NFL starts in Week 8, and the two former Buckeyes made significant contributions as the Denver Broncos defeated the Washington Football Team, 17-10.
On Sunday, the Buckeye duo had even bigger games as they combined for 10 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries in a 30-16 thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys.
Late in the second quarter, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys faced a 2nd-and-10 from their own 44-yard line. From a standing position, Cooper fired off the line and left tackle Terence Steele was left grasping at air. As Cooper continued his rush, Prescott dropped back directly in his line of fire. A few steps later, Cooper completed his first NFL sack.
Von Miller replacement? His name is Jonathan Cooper #Broncos pic.twitter.com/WSPRmKjNOP
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) November 7, 2021
With under six minutes to play in the game, Cooper notched his second sack as he took Prescott down for a nine-yard loss.
Denver fans were rightfully concerned with the departure of Von Miller, but the Broncos were able to keep the Cowboys from scoring on their first eight offensive possessions and built a 30-0 lead. With three Buckeyes – Browning, Cooper and Dre'Mont Jones – on Denver's defense, the people of the Mile High City might put their fears of losing Miller on pause.
Despite being hampered by a right knee injury, Ezekiel Elliott accounted for two of Dallas' 10 longest plays on Sunday. On several occasions, Elliott limped off of the field in pain, but the game-changing running back gritted out 51 yards on 10 carries and had three receptions for 25 yards. When asked about his knee after the game, Elliott said it was “something I've been dealing with the past couple of weeks.”
Other Buckeyes that played in the game for the Cowboys were Malik Hooker (1 tackle), Noah Brown and Jake McQuaide.
Team-high tacklers
Jerome Baker tied for a team-high seven tackles and also had an interception in the Miami Dolphins’ 17-9 win over Texans.
I've never seen anything like this. Incredible interception by Jerome Baker. Tyrod Taylor just throws the ball back into the field and Baker makes the heads up play to come back inbounds and get the pick pic.twitter.com/3otUiFKFfJ
— FinCuts (@FinCuts) November 7, 2021
Jordan Fuller led the Los Angeles Rams with seven tackles. Sinbad's nephew also broke up his second pass of the season in their 28-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football.
Brotherly Love
The Bosa brothers combined for seven tackles, four quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a sack on Sunday.
Joey Bosa recorded a key sack on Jalen Hurts in the third quarter of the Los Angeles Chargers’ 27-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. With the game tied 10-10 and the Eagles facing 3rd-and-4 on their own 31-yard line, Bosa sacked Hurts for a seven-yard loss and flipped the field.
Joey's brother Nick and the San Francisco 49ers didn't experience much success in a 31-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but Bosa forced a fumble by Cardinals running back James Conner. However, the 49ers were unable to recover the loose ball.
DE Nick Bosa forcing the fumble but cards recovered. #49ers #FTTB pic.twitter.com/qqpQ1nn4Vq
— 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) November 7, 2021
Urban 2.0
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills pushed the art of scoring back several decades as Urban Meyer’s squad picked up its second win of the season.
Turnovers and field goals were the story of this game. The Buffalo Bills had three turnovers and turned the ball over twice on downs. But of the contest's five made field goals, Jacksonville had three, and that was enough for a 9-6 win.
On the Buckeye front, Carlos Hyde ran 21 times behind Andrew Norwell and the Jaguars' offensive line for 67 tough yards. Hyde had 47 yards after contact and picked up three first downs.
The Jaguars came up well short of achieving Meyer’s yardage goals, as they finished the game with 79 yards rushing and 151 yards passing, but are now 2–6 for the season.
Highlight Show
Need more Buckeye action from Week 9? The clips below share some of the highs and lows.
#Saints rookie LB Pete Werner has played some solid football this season, gets the huge fourth down stop here.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) November 7, 2021
Loved the pick when it happened and love how he fits in this defense. pic.twitter.com/5yieRofMqJ
Sam Hubbard insists the right culture exists in #Bengals locker room. Its not toxic pic.twitter.com/Pu2q8iL66h
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) November 7, 2021
Jalen Hurts took a huge shot from Joey Bosa. Jordan Mailata let him get a free shot pic.twitter.com/O3x9Aop6hI
— DIE-HARD Fans (@Eaglesfans9) November 7, 2021
How did the #Broncos get Jonathan Cooper in the 7th round? Hes going to be a star pic.twitter.com/kXxwPcxkh4
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) November 7, 2021
Jonathon Cooper with nice coverage on Ezekiel Elliott pic.twitter.com/jl7iDHNxCk
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) November 7, 2021
Carlos Hyde with an 8 step release lolol
— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) November 7, 2021
He scrambles and almost gets this but cant pull it in pic.twitter.com/W3fkfBYFhh
Yeah, the fans got the message. And Pete Werner deservedly gets a ROAR on that 4th down stop. pic.twitter.com/eiRIIhWUUI
— Maddy Hudak (@MaddyHudak_94) November 7, 2021
Jonathon Cooper can't get to Dak Prescott, who finds Amari Cooper for a big gain pic.twitter.com/KgEV84PQ9V
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) November 7, 2021
We are currently accepting donations to buy Joe Burrow a map; Denzel Ward has got him lost #Browns pic.twitter.com/eJmxtmjeEJ
— Dawgs of War Podcast (@DoWPodcast) November 7, 2021
Denzel Wards last 6 games in coverage:
— PFF (@PFF) November 8, 2021
Week 3:
2 RECs
29 yards
Week 4:
2 RECs
32 yards
Week 5:
1 REC
8 yards
Week 6:
3 RECs
17 yards
Week 7:
3 RECs
17 yards
1 TD
Week 9:
1 REC
11 yards
1 pick six pic.twitter.com/PbzRZbIMvx
| PLAYER | POS | TEAM | WEEK 9 STATS | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELI APPLE | CB | BENGALS | 3 tackles, 1 TFL | 29 tackles, 3 PBU, 2 TFL |
| DAMON ARNETTE | CB | RAIDERS | Released | 4 tackles, 1 PBU |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | DOLPHINS | 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU | 51 tackles, 1 sack (10 yards), 1 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FF |
| VONN BELL | S | BENGALS | 4 tackles | 56 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 PBU, 2 FF, 1 FR |
| TUF BORLAND | LB | VIKINGS | Practice squad | |
| JOEY BOSA | DE | CHARGERS | 3 tackles, 1 sack (7 yards), 1 TFL, 2 QBH | 24 tackles, 4.5 sacks (32 yards), 3 TFL, 10 QBH |
| NICK BOSA | DE | 49ERS | 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 FF | 26 tackles, 6 sacks (56 yards), 10 TFL, 14 QBH, 1 FF |
| NOAH BROWN | WR | COWBOYS | Played at WR | 6 catches, 90 yards |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | BRONCOS | 6 tackles, 1 QBH | 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QBH |
| PARRIS CAMPBELL | WR | COLTS | IR (foot) | 10 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD |
| JONATHON COOPER | LB | BRONCOS | 4 tackles, 2 sacks (20 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QBH | 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 5 QBH |
| WYATT DAVIS | OG | VIKINGS | DNP | 4 games played |
| TAYLOR DECKER | OT | LIONS | Bye | |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | RAVENS | IR (knee) | |
| NATE EBNER | DB | GIANTS | Inactive | 2 tackles |
| PAT ELFLEIN | OG | PANTHERS | Inactive | 2 starts |
| EZEKIEL ELLIOTT | RB | COWBOYS | 10 rushes, 51 yards; 3 catches, 25 yards | 128 rushes, 622 yards, 5 TD; 23 catches, 153 yards |
| LUKE FARRELL | TE | JAGUARS | Played at TE | 6 catches, 49 yards |
| JUSTIN FIELDS | QB | BEARS | 17/29 passing, 291 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8 rushes, 45 yards | 111/187 passing, 1,282 yards, 4 TD, 8 INT; 52 rushes, 288 yards, 1 TD |
| JORDAN FULLER | S | RAMS | 7 tackles, 1 PBU | 65 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 PBU |
| DaVON HAMILTON | DT | JAGUARS | 1 tackle | 19 tackles, 1 PBU |
| JOHNATHAN HANKINS | DT | RAIDERS | 2 tackles | 18 tackles, 1 QBH |
| MALIK HARRISON | LB | RAVENS | IR (leg) | 19.5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QBH |
| DWAYNE HASKINS | QB | STEELERS | Inactive | |
| CAMERON HEYWARD | DT | STEELERS | 2 tackles, 3 QBH, 1 INT | 42 tackles, 2.5 sacks (16.5 yards), 2 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| K.J. HILL | WR | CHARGERS | Practice squad | 3 catches, 30 yards; 3 KOR, 50 yards; 6 PR, 41 yards |
| JUSTIN HILLIARD | LB | GIANTS | IR (ankle) | 2 games played |
| JALYN HOLMES | DE | SAINTS | Inactive | 1 tackle |
| MALIK HOOKER | S | COWBOYS | 1 tackle | 11 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD |
| SAM HUBBARD | DE | BENGALS | 4 tackles, 1 sack (3 yards) 2 TFL, 3 QBH | 39 tackles, 5.0 sacks (21.0 yards), 7 TFL, 9 QBH, 3 PBU |
| CARLOS HYDE | RB | JAGUARS | 21 carries, 67 yards; 1 catch, 6 yards | 54 rushes, 207 yards; 9 catches, 60 yards |
| JONAH JACKSON | OG | LIONS | Bye | 8 starts |
| MALCOLM JENKINS | S | SAINTS | 5 tackles | 44 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 1 TD |
| CAMERON JOHNSTON | P | TEXANS | 5 punts, 47.0 avg, 3 inside 20 | 48 punts, 46.8 avg, 20 inside 20 |
| DRE'MONT JONES | DT | BRONCOS | 1 QBH | 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks (8.5 yards), 4 TFL, 5 QBH, 1 PBU, 1 FF |
| JAMARCO JONES | OT | SEAHAWKS | Bye | 1 start, 6 games played |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | OG | PANTHERS | Started at LG | 3 starts, 4 games played |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | CB | SAINTS | 6 tackles | 25 tackles, 1 INT, 9 PBU |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DT | COLTS | IR (knee) | 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks (3.5 yards), 3 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 INT, 2 PBU |
| COREY LINSLEY | C | CHARGERS | Started at C | 8 starts |
| TERRY McLAURIN | WR | WFT | Bye | 43 catches, 573 yards, 4 TD |
| RAEKWON McMILLAN | LB | PATRIOTS | IR (knee) | |
| JAKE McQUAIDE | LS | COWBOYS | Played at LS | 1 tackle |
| JOSH MYERS | C | PACKERS | IR (knee) | 5 starts |
| ANDREW NORWELL | OL | JAGUARS | Started at LG | 8 starts |
| JEFF OKUDAH | CB | LIONS | Bye | 4 tackles, 1 PBU |
| BILLY PRICE | C | GIANTS | Started at C | 8 starts |
| MALCOLM PRIDGEON | OL | STEELERS | Practice squad | |
| ISAIAH PRINCE | OT | BENGALS | Played | 8 games played |
| BRADLEY ROBY | CB | SAINTS | Played | 5 tackles, 1 sack (7 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QBH |
| CURTIS SAMUEL | WR | WFT | Bye | 4 catches, 19 yards |
| C.J. SAUNDERS | WR | PANTHERS | Practice squad | |
| TREY SERMON | RB | 49ERS | Inactive | 21 rushes, 104 yards |
| KENDALL SHEFFIELD | CB | FALCONS | Played | 3 games played |
| DEVIN SMITH | WR | JAGUARS | Practice squad | 1 target |
| MICHAEL THOMAS | WR | SAINTS | PUP (ankle) | |
| TOMMY TOGIAI | DT | BROWNS | Inactive | |
| NICK VANNETT | TE | SAINTS | IR (knee) | |
| BINJIMEN VICTOR | WR | RAVENS | Practice squad | |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | PATRIOTS | Inactive | |
| DENZEL WARD | CB | BROWNS | 2 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 TD | 26 tackles, 0.5 sack (2 yards), 2 QBH, 6 PBU, 1 TD |
| PETE WERNER | LB | SAINTS | 3 tackles, 1 TFL | 32 tackles, 3 TFL |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | WFT | Bye | 25 tackles, 2 sacks (7 yards), 4 TFL, 4 QBH, 1 PBU, 2 FF |
