Brown Down

09/19/2023 Brown Down

By: Jeff Yoder

Steelers & Saints Victorious in Monday Night Doubleheader, But Scary Nick Chubb Injury Clouds Browns Season

A two-piece combo meal of Monday Night Football was electric out of the gate last night, particularly in Pittsburgh where the Steelers house-called a pick-six on the first play. But even with two close games in a fun evening of football, a gruesome knee injury to Browns RB Nick Chubb was the headline. Chubb’s season is undoubtedly over, and I’d advise not watching the replay. More on that in the game recap below. By night’s end, the Saints held off Bryce Young and the Panthers, and Pittsburgh defended home turf to bounce back from an ugly Week 1. Here’s how it went down:

 

Monday Night Football Highlights

 

Saints def. Panthers (20-17)

The Saints and Panthers gave fans a lackluster offensive performance to kick things off on Monday Night Football. Aside from an amazing juggling catch from Saints WR Chris Olave, it was 6-6 on four field goals through 40-plus minutes. The Saints punched in two scores down the stretch to take a 20-9 lead in the waning moments. Rookie QB Bryce Young, in his Panthers debut, finally got things moving with a touchdown drive inside two minutes, but it was too little, too late. The Carolina growing pains are far from over (0-2), but the Saints (2-0) are off to a hot start in the Derek Carr era. New Orleans hasn’t allowed over 20 points in 10 straight regular season games.

 

Steelers def. Browns (26-22)

The Steelers and Browns had polar opposite Week 1 experiences, but nothing is easy in the AFC North. Pittsburgh’s Alex Highsmith returned an interception for a defensive touchdown on the first play. The Browns bounced back, but RB Nick Chubb had his left knee snapped backwards on a goal-line stand in the first half. A demoralizing blow to the Browns, but Cleveland fought back to take the lead early in the third quarter, but they were held scoreless in the final 25 minutes. Steelers’ DE T.J. Watt — after recording a sack that made him Pittsburgh’s all-time sacks leader — returned a fumble to the house for the Steeler’s second defensive TD of the game (26-22). A classic AFC North showdown ends with the Steelers’ first win (1-1), but it’s tough times ahead for the Browns (1-1).

 

NFL Standings (Week 2)

 

Read More

ESPN: Social Media Reacts to Browns RB Nick Chubb’s Knee Injury

CBS Sports: Steelers’ T.J. Watt Breaks James Harrison’s Franchise Sack Record

 

Photo: Joe Sargent / Getty Images