Pittsburgh Steelers: Three Defensive Players Injured in Opener
The Pittsburgh Steelers began their season with an emotional victory, but three defensive players were injured in the process.
Starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) left Sunday's 34-32 win over the New York Jets, as did two former Ravens, starting safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and linebacker Malik Harrison (knee).
Head Coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that the injuries to Elliott and Harrison were "being evaluated," and that Porter was shut down to prevent his hamstring injury from getting worse, via the Steelers' website.
Pittsburgh's defense had trouble containing Justin Fields, the former Steelers quarterback making his debut with the Jets. Fields hurt the Steelers with his arm (16 for 22, 218 yards, one touchdown) and with his legs (48 yards rushing, two touchdowns).
It took a 60-yard field goal from Chris Boswell with 1:03 left for the Steelers to prevail. Tomlin was happy to escape but acknowledged there was plenty of room for improvement.
"Our slip was showing in some areas," Tomlin said. "We didn't put enough pressure on Justin. There were instances we weren't good enough."
However, Aaron Rodgers was superb in his Steelers' debut, throwing four touchdown passes (22 for 30, 244 yards, no touchdowns) to get revenge against the Jets' organization that parted ways with him last season.
"There were probably people in the organization that didn't think I could play anymore," Rodgers said via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. "So, it was nice to remind those people that I still can."
The Steelers will host the Seattle Seahawks (0-1) in Week 2.
Cincinnati Bengals: Defense Rises After Offense Sputters
The Bengals flipped their usual script in Week 1, relying on their defense down the stretch in a 17-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
DJ Turner and Jordan Battle intercepted Browns quarterback Joe Flacco in the second half, and Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt missed an extra point and was wide right on a 36-yard field goal attempt with 2:25 left.
Cincinnati will go to work this week to improve an offense that was held to three points and seven total yards in the second half. Joe Burrow was under duress all day and had just 113 yards passing, while top receivers Ja'Marr Chase (two catches, 26 yards) and Tee Higgins (three catches, 33 yards) were contained.
Former Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett had two sacks and led a ferocious Cleveland pass rush that hit Burrow seven times.
"We stole one today. We're going to have to do better," Burrow said via Ben Baby of ESPN.com.
The Bengals will host the Jaguars (1-0) in Week 2.
Cleveland Browns: Garrett Off to Good Start in Pursuit of Sack Title
Garrett was serious when he said before the season that he intended to lead the league in sacks.
He had back-to-back sacks against Burrow in Week 1 and will lead Cleveland's defense into M&T Bank Stadium to face the Ravens in Week 2. Garrett said he would not allow the disappointing loss to Cincinnati to spill over into the team's preparation for the Ravens.
"Keep your head up. We don't lose two in a row," Garrett said via the Browns' website. "You've got to look at the film and get up off the canvas quick to another division opponent.
"A good team we're facing, and it's going to be very different styles. So, we have to be able to prepare and look ourselves in the mirror very quickly, see what adjustments we need to make, and get right back at it, because those guys aren't slowing down and neither can we."
The Browns split with the Ravens last season, beating Baltimore in Cleveland, 29-24, before losing, 35-10, in Baltimore in last year's season finale.
