Cooper scores in his Bills debut and Allen shakes off a sluggish start in 34-10 rout of Titans

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — It didn’t take Amari Cooper long to get the hang of Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills' offense — even when the quarterback was changing plays at the line of scrimmage.

Five days after arriving in Buffalo following a trade with Cleveland, Cooper turned his first catch in his Bills debut into a go-ahead touchdown of a 34-10 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Turns out, limited practice time was enough for the 10th-year veteran to get a handle on Buffalo’s vast playbook. Cooper said he understood his role in adjusting at the line of scrimmage by running an in-route with Allen hitting him open in the middle for a 12-yard TD to put Buffalo up 14-10 on its opening possession of the second half.

“We had an alert on the play built in, predicated on if we got a specific look,” said Cooper, who motioned to fellow receiver Keon Coleman to confirm the play. “We got the look that we wanted, we checked to it, and it worked just like it did in practice.”

Cooper finished with four catches for 66 yards on 18 offensive snaps. And his mere presence played a role in opening space for Buffalo’s other receivers who had previously struggled to get open.

“Any time you have a player of his caliber, he demands extra attention. If you don’t, we’re probably going to throw him the ball,” Allen said of Cooper. “But our guys did a good job of getting open, making plays.”

Coleman became Buffalo’s first receiver this season to top 100 yards with 125 on four catches.

Allen celebrated his 100th career start with his 26th 300-yard outing while finishing 21 of 33 for 323 yards and two touchdowns. He improved to 68-32 as a starter, matching four players — Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers — for the sixth-most wins in a quarterback’s first 100 starts.

Allen overcame a sluggish first half in which he went 4 of 11 for 65 yards, and also completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ty Johnson. James Cook and Ray Davis rounded out the rout with touchdown runs in an outing the AFC East-leading Bills (5-2) overcame a 10-0 deficit.

The Titans continued their freefall in dropping to 1-5 — their worst start to a season since opening 2015 at 1-6. And a change in quarterback didn’t help an offense that entered the weekend ranking among the worst in the NFL in numerous categories, including scoring. They have failed to top 17 points for the fifth time this season.

Backup Mason Rudolph got the start with Will Levis bothered by an injury to his right throwing shoulder.

In listing Levis as week to week, coach Brian Callahan said he made the decision to go with Rudolph after practice on Friday.

“The injury is real. He tried to fight through it. I appreciate the toughness and willingness,” Callahan said.

As for the loss, Callahan said it mirrored an offense that has spent much of the season having difficulty scoring in the second half.

“We went backwards on offense. We had penalties, we had a million issues, quarterback hits, all those things. Not good enough,” Callahan said. “We didn’t do a good enough job to do anything in the second half worthwhile. It’s frustrating. Got to find an answer.”

The Titans started strong with Rudolph’s 4-yard TD pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Nick Folk’s 25-yard field goal giving them a 10-0 lead before they were shut out on their final eight drives.

Rudolph finished 25 of 40 for 215 yards with a touchdown, interception and lost fumble.

Buffalo blew the game open by scoring three touchdowns and two field goals on its five second-half possessions.

The game turned in the opening moments of the second half, when Buffalo’s defense forced the Titans to turn the ball over on downs. On third-and-1 at Buffalo’s 45, Tony Pollard took a direct snap and was stopped for a 1-yard loss while attempting to dive over the middle. On the next play, rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter and safety Taylor Rapp combined to stuff Pollard for a 3-yard loss.

Cooper scored six plays later.

Cooper’s debut introduced a new cheer from the hometown fans, with “Cooooop!” echoing through the stadium after each catch. The only one the 30-year-old failed to bring in was actually a drop after he bobbled Allen’s swing pass to the left sideline that appeared to bounce off his helmet and nose on third-and-1 to end Buffalo’s opening possession.

“It seems like a different 'Coop’ chant every single time,” said Cooper of a chant dating to his college days at Alabama. “Just grateful, appreciative, there was something special about the one today though.”

Titans: OL Jaelyn Duncan, starting in place of Leroy Watson, did not return after hurting his hamstring.

Bills: WR Curtis Samuel was ruled out after hurting his shoulder in the first quarter. ... LB Terrel Bernard didn’t return after hurting his ankle in the third quarter.

Titans: Play at the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Bills: Play at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, second from right, celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch over Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs (28) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by the Tennessee Titans defense during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) strips the ball from Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph, right, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (26) celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

CLEVELAND (AP) — As Deshaun Watson tucked the ball under his arm and collapsed without being touched, some Browns fans cheered.

For all the wrong reasons.

Cleveland's polarizing quarterback, who has divided the team's fan base since his arrival two years ago, suffered an apparent season-ending Achilles tendon injury on Sunday in the first half of a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

It's yet another startling twist in Watson's tenure with the Browns, who believed they were getting a franchise quarterback when they signed him to a fully guaranteed, $230 million contract in 2022.

Now, everything is uncertain.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who has stuck with Watson this season despite his uneven play, didn't officially rule out the QB for the remainder of the season. But all signs point to the 29-year-old missing the rest of the year.

“That's what it looks like,” Stefanski said.

Watson's leg crumpled on a non-contact play as he dropped back to pass with 1:26 left before halftime. As he planted, Watson's calf appeared to quiver before he gave himself up and dropped to the turf.

The embattled Watson, whose two-plus seasons with Cleveland have been marked by off-field problems, injuries and poor play, covered his head with a towel as he was carted off. While he was down, the Browns and Bengals left their sidelines to surround him and offer support.

Initially, some boos could be heard before fans realized the severity of Watson's injury.

Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett was disgusted that some fans cheered when Watson went down.

“Whether it’s an opponent that goes down or one of our own, we don’t boo,” Garrett said. “We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall — could be a season-altering, career-altering injury.

“The man is not perfect. He doesn’t need to be. None of us are expected to be perfect. Can’t judge him for what he does off the field or on the field because I can’t throw stones from my glass house. But we need to do better.”

Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter as the Bengals (3-4) ended a six-game losing streak at Cleveland. While he has played well against every team in the NFL, Burrow had struggled against the Browns, coming in 1-5 overall and 0-3 on the road.

Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for an 18-yard TD, and six minutes later he found Tee Higgins for a 25-yard score. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 181 yards.

“Big win,” Burrow said. “But it’s just one. We’re 3-4 now. Great teams find ways to win and I think we’ve got a chance to be a great team. We’re not there yet.”

Watson has been controversial since the Browns (1-6) traded three first-round draft picks to Houston for him. He was suspended the first 11 games in '22 for violating the league's personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault during massage therapy sessions.

Watson made six starts and showed flashes of his Pro Bowl days with the Texans last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

The 29-year-old has played poorly for most of this season, but the Browns stuck with him.

Before he got hurt, Watson was 15 of 17 for 128 yards. He was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who moved ahead of Jameis Winston on the depth chart this week. Thompson-Robinson finished 11 of 24 for 82 yards and two interceptions before leaving with a finger injury.

Winston played the final 3:43 and threw a TD pass to David Njoku and 2-point conversion to Cedric Tillman.

Like Garrett, Winston was appalled by the fans' behavior.

“I am very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years,” Winston said. “He put his body and life on the line for this city every single day. Regardless of your perception, regardless of what you thought should happen with him, he committed every single day that I’ve been here to be the best that he can be for this team.”

Charlie Jones returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for the Bengals, who have won three of four after a three-game slide to start the season.

Watson's injury came as the Browns welcomed running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last season. Chubb ran for a 1-yard touchdown just after Watson went out.

Chubb received a thunderous ovation when he sprinted from the tunnel during pregame introductions. The roar came seconds after the struggling Watson was booed before Cleveland's first home game in three weeks.

“I was so happy for him to get a touchdown, his first game back, and I know how much the fans love him,” Winston said. “I heard those 'Chubb, Chubb, Chubb,’ and we need more of that."

The Bengals were up 7-0 before Burrow even touched the ball.

Jones caught the opening kick at his goal line, found a seam at Cleveland's 25, made a cut to the right and was gone. He nearly got caught at the 10-yard line but kept his feet, stayed in bounds and tumbled into the end zone.

It was only the third kick return of his career. He took punt back 81 yards for a TD last season as a rookie against Baltimore.

Jones’ TD was the longest return this season and the third one since the new kickoff rule was implemented this season.

Bengals: S Geno Stone was taken off on a cart with a leg injury late in the fourth. Stone was put in an air cast after he was accidentally hit by teammate Vonn Bell. Coach Zac Taylor said Stone's injury wasn't as serious as it appeared. ... LT Orlando Brown Jr. went out in the second quarter with a right knee injury and didn't return.

Browns: Stefanski confirmed Thompson-Robinson's injury was to his throwing hand, but had no further update.

Bengals: Host Philadelphia next Sunday.

Browns: Host Baltimore next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) carries for a first down in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates a touchdown reception in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) celebrates his interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Fans cheer for Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) pulls in a pass reception over Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) celebrates his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) drops back to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) reacts after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is carted off the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is carted off the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)