Mohamed Bughrara

Washington Commanders (2-4) at Chicago Bears (2-4), Commanders win 12-7

Another Thursday Night Football game, another mediocre effort. Everyone lamented the Colts-Broncos 12-9 slugfest last week, but this game had even less scores. 

Brian Robinson Jr. obviously gained the faith of the Commanders’ coaches after his nine-carry debut last week. Robinson began, received the ball on the opening two plays of the game, and came on late to help Washington win 12-7. He ran the ball 17 times for 60 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown midway through the third quarter. Above all, he had more speed than you might anticipate from a guy who was wounded many times in the leg in late August.

This Bears-Commanders game may have put football back 50 years, since neither team seemed to desire to win.

Patriots (2-3) at Browns (2-3), 1 p.m.: 

According to the NFL, Belichick is currently 5-0 with quarterbacks picked outside the first round making their maiden starts. Since the 2000 season, Belichick’s first in New England, the rest of the league is 30-80. Regular starter Mac Jones is recovering from an ankle injury and might return against Cleveland, but Zappe will have another chance to shine.

The Browns have a hard run ahead of them, with games against the Ravens, Bengals, Dolphins, Bills, and Buccaneers. Cleveland requires a victory. Meanwhile, the Patriots had a difficult start owing to poor quarterback play and an ankle injury to Mac Jones. New England is eager to return to .500 in the AFC East.