AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals first-round QB Joe Burrow got taken down another seven times in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens and he continues to outstrip the rest of the league in sacks taken with 22. While Cincinnati’s offensive line has taken a lot of heat for that number, Burrow says he can help himself out by getting rid of the ball sooner. 

“I didn’t play very well, and we as an offense didn’t play very well,” Burrow said via Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I can get the ball out of my hands faster, and I wasn’t very accurate today, which was disappointing to me. I thought we had a great week of practice and it just didn’t carry over.”

Browns

After not being featured in the first few contests for the Browns, WR Rashard Higgins had a big game against the Colts.

“It felt like I have been there before. It was just like, ‘You know what? I miss you. You miss me. Let’s walk together,’” Higgins said, via Scott Petrak of BrownsZone.com. “It was fun, having my teammates just over there and just getting a win. It has been a helluva journey. You guys know. I have been here for 0-16, and just to see everything turn around, it is amazing — night and day. I can’t describe the feeling because I am still living in the moment right now. It is still unreal right now. I am like a magnet to the end zone for some reason. All I can say is when the ball comes to me I try to make the plays and it so happens when we get down to the red zone. I am not the fastest. I am smart, and I find a way to get open. It is just knowing that if somebody goes down that I know I can step into the job and fulfill the needs. Coach believes in me. He kept me on the team for a reason. He trusts in me. The whole staff upstairs, they believe in me. They know what I am capable of. There is nothing like someone else believing in you more than you believe in yourself.” 

Browns’ HC Kevin Stefanski weighed in on Higgins’s current situation with the team as well.

“He was inactive there for a couple games through no fault of his own — that is just how the numbers went — and he works so hard at practice and gives a great look,” Stefanski said. “He does his job, studies and prepares. He is a consummate pro. I am really proud of him, and I am happy for him that he was able to score last night.”

• Petrak notes the Browns were attempting to protect QB Garrett Gilbert from being poached off of their practice squad, but unfortunately the Cowboys were able to sign him on Monday.

Steelers

• Per NFL Media’s Aditi Khinkhabwala, Steelers HC Mike Tomlin isn’t interested in talking about the team facing Browns DE Myles Garrett for the first time since last season’s brawl: “We’re not looking for that low hanging fruit or that reality TV storyline. This is a big game here in 2020.”
• Tomlin said the Steelers should get C Maurkice Pouncey back from his foot injury this week, but he was less committal about G David DeCastro who’s working through an abdomen issue. (Gerry Dulac)