Mike Tomlin’s quarterback switch paid off, the Jets’ gambles have not, and the Deshaun Watson era is likely over in Cleveland—that and more in today’s NFL Notes.
Aaron Rodgers’ Interception Sparks Steelers Blowout Over the Jets
The New York Jets were up 15-6 over the Pittsburgh Steelers and marching near the end of the first half. It seemed like the Jets’ desperation moves, including firing Robert Saleh, switching offensive play callers, and trading for Davante Adams over the last two weeks, might pay off on Sunday night. But Aaron Rodgers threw an interception on a ball that he forced to Garrett Wison. Steelers rookie Beanie Wilson intercepted Rodgers, the sixth time he’s been intercepted this season, and that was all she wrote for New York.
Rodgers would throw another interception in the third quarter, and Pittsburgh would roll to a 37-15 victory over the Jets. Russell Wilson, making his first start of the season, threw for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Wilson posted a 109.0 passer rating, which should earn him at least another start under center for the Steelers, who move to 5-2 on the season.
The Jets fell to 2-4, three wins behind the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East (Buffalo holds a head-to-head victory over New York). Their post-season hopes are fading fast. The Jets’ two wins this season came against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 (which wasn’t convincing) and the New England Patriots in Week 3. After that victory over New England on September 25, Aaron Rodgers said their biggest struggle this season will be “handling success.” Ironically, they haven’t won a game since.
The Jets can get back on track in Week 8 when they get another crack at the Patriots on Sunday.
Deshaun Watson’s Season is Over
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered an Achilles injury on Sunday, ending his season (h/t @RapSheet) in the Browns’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. With that injury, Watson’s time in Cleveland is all but over. Cleveland, which enters Week 8 at 1-6, will turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The rest of the schedule will likely serve as an evaluation period for the Browns’ ownership and front office, which will determine who will be fired for the mess created. (Luis: LOL! Cleveland extended its head coach *AND* general manager in June. So, good luck cleaning up that mess.)
If Watson has taken his last snap for the Browns, we can safely call this one of the worst trades in the history of the NFL. Carolina’s trade for the No. 1 pick with the Chicago Bears in March 2023 is up there, but the Watson trade was an absolute disaster. Cleveland ignored all the red flags, traded for Watson, and then gave him an unprecedented contract despite a slew of sexual misconduct allegations that surrounded him.
The Browns sent three first-round picks to the Houston Texans, a 2022 fourth-rounder, a 2023 third-rounder, and a 2024 fourth-rounder for Watson. Here’s how the Texans have used those picks:
- 2022 1st Round: OG Kenyon Green
- 2022 4th Round: RB Dameon Pierce
- 2023 1st Round: DE Will Anderson Jr.
- 2023 3rd Round: WR Tank Dell
- 2024 1st Round: CB Kamari Lassiter
- 2024 4th Round: S Calen Bullock
That’s five starters and one backup running back for Houston, who is 5-2, atop the AFC South, and coming off of a playoff berth, in which they throttled the Joe Flacco-led Browns last January.
Watson has played 19 games for the Browns and won nine games. Cleveland paid him $25.96 million per victory, and they’re still on the hook for two more years of his albatross contract.
Aidan O’Connell to be Placed on IR with Fractured Thumb
The Las Vegas Raiders will turn to Gardner Minshew as quarterback (again) after second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell fractured his thumb on Sunday during the Raiders’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Minshew, who replaced the injured O’Connell on Sunday, threw three interceptions and lost a fumble in a 20-15 loss to the Rams. The 28-year-old Minshew has thrown for 1,168 yards, four touchdowns, and a league-leading eight interceptions this season. Meanwhile, O’Connell has thrown for 455 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in four games.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports it is an injury that will put O’Connell on the shelf for the next 4-6 weeks. For what it’s worth, that means there is a chance Vegas’ QB2 returns before the season ends.
Other NFL Notes
- The Detroit Lions ended the Minnesota Vikings’ undefeated season with a 31-29 victory over the Vikings. Detroit erased a 10-0 deficit by scoring 21 straight, and Jared Goff was excellent in the victory. The Lions now move into first place in the NFC North at 5-1, with the Vikings (5-1), Packers (5-2), and Bears (4-2) behind them.
- San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall had three catches for 21 yards in his NFL debut after missing the first six weeks while recovering from a gunshot wound sustained in a robbery during the preseason. San Francisco lost to Kansas City 28-18 on Sunday.
- Speaking of the 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk left Sunday’s loss with what the team fears is an ACL tear. With Aiyuk’s season potentially over and Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings dealing with injuries, Pearsall is in line for a healthy workload moving forward.
- Jordan Love threw two interceptions in Green Bay’s victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday and now has eight on the season, which is tied with Gardner Minshew for the most in the league, and Love has only played in five games.
- New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll pulled starting quarterback Daniel Jones in the fourth quarter of the team’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants scored only three points against the Eagles and have one of the worst offensive units in the league this season. Daboll said after the game that the team will stick with Jones next week.