Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that rookie Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson understood and accepted that head coach Pat Shurmur elected to pull him from Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts after just eight carries, though he wanted desperately to get back on the field.

Richardson, who was still in some discomfort after suffering bruised rib cartilage last week, was not on the field for the controversial decision to punt the ball on 4th-and-1 with six minutes remaining.

The decision has some feeling that Shurmur's seat is even hotter. It certainly doesn't make sense to have his best running back on the bench because of perceived "ineffectiveness," considering a few tweaks to the play-calling could have had made a major difference.

 

Baltimore Ravens

Hi-res-154530830_crop_exact Joe Flacco is simply not yet elite.
Bob Levey/Getty Images

With all of the Baltimore Ravens' problems, which were quite evident in Sunday's 43-13 loss to the Houston Texans, Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun says this is the exact perfect time for the team to have its bye week.

Jonathan Reid of Bleacher Report contends that Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco cannot be considered among the league's elite passers until he is a more consistent player on the road.

 

Hi-res-6681634_crop_exact Dalton: Winner or loser?
Greg Bartram-US PRESSWIRE

Cincinnati Bengals

Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Cincinnati Bengals' 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night was a pathetic performance—but also eerily familiar.

Bleacher Report's David Campbell breaks down the Bengals' winners and losers in the loss to the Steelers.

 

Hi-res-6672656_crop_exact Pat Shurmur's Browns are 1-6; will he be fired before the season ends?
David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Cleveland Browns

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer details the many costly errors that doomed the Cleveland Browns against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport wonders if Browns head coach Pat Shurmur will survive the season, especially with the team under new ownership and Shurmur's decision-making constantly called into question.

 

Hi-res-154541637_crop_exact Surely, Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor's grades are up this week.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gives out his grades for the Pittsburgh Steelers' performance in their 24-17 Sunday night win.

Chris G. of Bleacher Report hands out the game ball to the Steelers player who contributed most to the team's Week 7 win.