CThe leveland fan base was full of emotions at the home game between the Browns and the Bengals on Sunday. Some of them greeted their own quarterback, Deshaun Watson, with deafening boos as he ran onto the field. If there was any doubt about how many fans felt about Watson, that same crowd showered running back Nick Chubb with even louder cheers when he returned from a long injury layoff.

It looks like Watson himself will have to spend a long time on the sidelines: He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the second quarter, the Browns fear. Probably out for the season. Possibly the end of Watson's career – the quarterback's performance has declined and Achilles tendon injuries often leave players a shadow of their former selves. As Watson was carried off the field in tears, emotions in Cleveland were running high. For some there was catharsis or the feeling that karma had been served. For others, there was justifiable sadness. Because despite Watson's dismal performance as Cleveland's man under center and the allegations against him as a man, you never want to see anyone hurt. Although in this case you might. Some of the Browns fans did: There were scattered cheers when Watson went down injured, a reaction that Cleveland cornerback Greg Newsome II later called “bullshit.”

One feeling that all Browns fans agree on is regret. Deep regret. If Browns owner Jimmy Haslam handed Watson $230 million in guaranteed money in 2022, it wouldn't already have been the worst contract in NFL history, but Sunday's Achilles tendon injury made it official.

Haslam set the gold standard for how not to give away a contract. Not just because of the sheer amount of guaranteed money, the most in NFL history, but also by handing the franchise over to a player who was almost certainly facing a lengthy suspension (the suspension ended up being extended) over these sexual misconduct allegations to 11 games). Haslam's plan that the player Watson would make the person Watson palatable failed from the start.

Watson's debut didn't come until Week 13 of the 2022 season. His performance this season has been mediocre at best. He looked nothing like the Houston Texans' young quarterback, who was both efficient and explosive. The Browns went 3-3 in 2022 with Watson under center and finished last in the AFC North at 7-10. Every game he played this season – with incessant booing in stadiums across the US – was also a reminder of what many thought of Watson the person.

Watson's second season was cut short by a shoulder injury. Everyman hero Joe Flacco stepped in and did an admirable job, but it was Cleveland's elite defense that led them to a playoff spot.

Any glimmer of hope for the Browns that Watson would even transform into an above-average quarterback quickly evaporated this season. Under Watson, the Browns have a 1-6 record, including Sunday's 21-14 loss to Cincinnati. He had never topped 200 yards in a game this season and was dead last in QBR among qualifying quarterbacks. A move from him will also be expensive: He has a season guarantee of $46 million in the final two years of his contract. There are many poorly run franchises in the NFL: But none of them are stupid enough to take Watson and his huge contract out of the Browns' hands.

So from a football perspective, Watson's tumultuous time in Cleveland was a failure. Add to that the fact that he is an alleged predator and that more than 24 women have accused him of sexual misconduct, and the Browns' mindset is unfathomable (Watson has settled more than two dozen lawsuits against his accusers out of court, but he has never been criminally charged). allegations). For many fans — including some in Cleveland — there is no passer rating Watson can achieve to refute the allegations surrounding him.

It will take time for the Browns' sad and seedy Watson era to pass, although some may not understand what that means. Jameis Winston, who hardly has much of a reputation himself, finished Sunday's game as Cleveland's quarterback. After the game he was asked about Watson. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Deshaun, but I am very upset by the response to a man who has had the world against him for the last four years,” Winston said. Maybe it's worth Winston asking why the world was against Watson in the first place.

MVP of the week

Jared Goff, quarterback, Detroit Lions. Goff's standout play in the Lions' 31-29 victory over the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings was the beautiful 35-yard touchdown strike to Amon-Ra St Brown in the final minutes of the first half. The Lions quarterback rolled Minnesota's Cover 0, shrugged off the safety and dodged the pass rush. Not only did it change the dynamic, it was also a reminder to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Goff thrives when blitzed, unlike many other quarterbacks that Flores' defense has terrorized.

It wasn't perfect, but Goff continued his streak on Sunday. According to the AP, Goff's stat line — 22 for 25 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in his third straight game with a passer rating of 140 or better — means he's ahead of Aaron Rodgers (2011), Kurt Warner (1999) and Roger Staubach followed (1971) as the only quarterback in NFL history to achieve this feat.

Statistics of the week

176 meters. Saquon Barkley put an end to anyone who saw the running back in an Eagles jersey and was still doing double reading. After Philly got off to a slow start and again failed to score in the first quarter, the Barkley-led offense took off and defeated the Giants 28-3. Barkley followed suit with his former team, rushing for 176 yards on 17 carries and scoring a touchdown.

Barkley's monster game was the second-most rushing yards for a defender facing his former team. Only then-Bengal Cedric Benson's 189 yards against the Chicago Bears were better. Perhaps burning Barkley's jersey outside MetLife Stadium, a ritual Barkley observed upon his arrival, wasn't the best idea for Giants fans. “At that moment I was ready for 3rd and 1 – let’s just say it,” he said after the game.

Video of the week

There are two perspectives to look at this Patrick Mahomes run that resulted in a touchdown: a) Look at Mahomes' vision and toughness, what a performance for a guy who ran 4.80 at the combine; or b) Look at Mahomes standing on the sideline knowing that none of these guys are going to attack him because even sniffing him is an automatic penalty.

Whatever the case, the Super Bowl rematch wasn't much of a contest. The Chiefs outscored the 49ers 28-18, and Brock Purdy was prone to interceptions throughout, including a terrible forced ball on third-and-goal with just over 4:00 left. The Chiefs didn't exactly dominate, as Mahomes threw two interceptions of his own. But KC put together enough creative packages on both sides of the ball (particularly Steve Spagnuolo's defense) to stymie the Super Bowl runners-up. The Chiefs' offense isn't as explosive as in years past, but at 6-0, they're figuring out how to win.

As for the Niners, there will certainly be questions about Purdy this week, some of which are legitimate. But the reality is that at 3-4, the 49ers are dealing with a variety of debilitating injuries, including a dreaded torn ACL to receiver Brandon Aiyuk. However, there was a notable addition for the 49ers on Sunday: Receiver Ricky Pearsall made his NFL debut 50 days after he was shot in the chest. “I feel like I could play another game right now,” Pearsall, who threw three balls for 21 yards, said with a smile.

Elsewhere in the league

The Washington Commanders had a scare when rookie sensation Jayden Daniels left early Sunday with a rib injury. Marcus Mariota stepped in admirably and led the Commanders to a 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers. The Commanders (5-2) hold a narrow division lead over the Eagles (4-2) and will face the Bears next week. Come on, football gods, we need the Daniels vs. Caleb Williams matchup.

So…how did the firing of their head coach and subsequent move to Davante Adams go for the New York Jets? Not very good so far: They have lost both games since their mid-season revolution began. The most recent hit came on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when Adams only caught three of the nine throws that went to him for over 30 yards in the tough 37-15 loss. The Jets have a lot of excellent players and have lost some close games. But a 2-5 record is not a good look for a team that gave everything it had to win. The Steelers are in a better position at 5-2, and Russell Wilson threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in his Pittsburgh debut.

How to make a first impression:

Amari Cooper's biggest fan might be Keon Coleman. A true and threatening WR1 on the field helped Coleman post a monster day with seven targets, four receptions and 125 receiving yards in the Buffalo Bills' 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

The Green Bay Packers-Houston Texans didn't quite live up to the hype surrounding their branding, but it was a thrill. New Packers kicker Brandon McManus hit a 45-yarder on the final play to give Green Bay a dramatic 24-22 victory. Houston's offense lacked momentum throughout and the Texans played far too conservatively in the final minutes of the game. They were only there thanks to Green Bay's equally mild offense and three turnovers, including two interceptions by Jordan Love.