Charlie Jones' opening kickoff TD, explosive third quarter power Bengals past Browns: Key takeaways

In a notable AFC North clash, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Cleveland Browns 21-14, aided by Joe Burrow's two touchdown passes to receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati had an explosive start with Charlie Jones returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, marking the third such return since the inception of the dynamic kickoff era.

Burrow orchestrated two key touchdown drives in the second half, capitalizing on Browns' mistakes. Meanwhile, Cleveland's running back Nick Chubb returned to play for the first time since a knee injury, scoring the team's only rushing touchdown. However, the Browns faced a setback when quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered an Achilles injury, prompting Jameis Winston to take over in the fourth quarter after Dorian Thompson-Robinson exited with a finger injury.

Cincinnati's defense was pivotal, stifling Cleveland's offense and paving the way for victory. Despite this win taking them to a 3-4 record, Cincinnati's offense continues to struggle, failing to seize opportunities created by their defense.

The Browns, now 1-6, confront a challenging future without Watson. The team must address its expensive roster and find solutions for its offensive woes while securing value for young players. These concerns are crucial as they consider the future and strive to salvage their season.