The NFL and commissioner Rodger Goodell rejected Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden's appeal of his four-game suspension on Monday afternoon, meaning he has to serve the punishment immediately. 

The suspension is the result of Haden violating the league's substance abuse policy. He will be eligible to return to the team on October 8. Haden is easily one of the Browns' best players and missing him over this critical stretch of games will be a difficult setback for the already beleaguered team to overcome.

 

Hi-res-151730755_crop_exact Joe Flacco has finally come into his own.
Rob Carr/Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens

Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun concludes that the Baltimore Ravens finally have found their offensive identity after their 44-13 drubbing of the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

Aaron Nagler of Bleacher Report also found the Ravens' offensive performance impressive, saying that Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco has proven this isn't the old offense.

 

Hi-res-6569782_crop_exact Not just a loss for Cincinnati—a brutalization.
Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

Cincinnati Bengals

That wasn't just a loss the Cincinnati Bengals suffered at the hands of the Ravens on Monday night, writes Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer, it was a humiliation.

Matt Gray of Bleacher Report gives us his 10 takeaways from the Bengals' 44-13 Monday night loss.

 

Hi-res-6567644_crop_exact No, he won't be on the field any time soon.
David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Cleveland Browns

Considering it's been only one game, the Cleveland Browns have no interest whatsoever in benching rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden in favor of Colt McCoy, according to head coach Pat Shurmur as reported by Marty Gitlin of CBSSports.com.

Bleacher Report's Barbara Bruno hands out her awards for the Browns' Week 1 performance.

 

Hi-res-5873556_crop_exact Marcus Gilbert will play this Sunday against the Jets.
David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and other members of the assembled media that offensive linemen Ramon Foster and Marcus Gilbert did not suffer serious injuries against the Denver Broncos and will play this week.

Joshua Hayes of Bleacher Report gives us three players on the Steelers' offense who are up-and-comers in the league.