Gordon still isn't sure how he feels about it."Conflicted," he said.So was

Even days later Authentic Alex Okafor Jersey , Josh Gordon's emotions remain jumbled following his first season-opening game since he was a rookie in 2012.The Browns stopped their 17-game losing streak by tying the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.Gordon's game. And confusing.He wasn't supposed to start as punishment for missing training camp, but Gordon was on the field for the first offensive play because of a "miscommunication," according to coach Hue Jackson.The most dynamic player on Cleveland's roster, the former Pro Bowler figured to be a major element in the game plan, yet was only targeted three times by quarterback Tyrod Taylor.Gordon did make a leaping touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to tie it 21-all in the fourth quarter, but Taylor missed a chance to connect with the receiver late in regulation — a blown opportunity on a wet field that could have given the Browns their first victory since 2016.It was all so strange, especially the Browns not winning despite forcing six turnovers.Gordon, who has made personal decisions he regrets, can only think about what might have been."Definitely wish some things could just be altered in the course of the game," Gordon said Wednesday as the Browns ramped up preparation for Sunday's game in New Orleans. "But definitely can't look back anymore."Gordon's opener began unexpectedly and stayed that way.Last week, Jackson was adamant that Gordon would not be in the starting lineup against Pittsburgh after he missed more than three weeks of camp to address his personal health during his public battle with drugs and alcohol. Jackson said he was putting his foot down, and Gordon would not get any preferential treatment.But after the Browns forced a Pittsburgh punt and began a drive at their 36, Gordon was lined up to the far left before Taylor dropped back to pass before scrambling for a 6-yard gain.Gordon's appearance on the field led to confusion about whether Jackson had changed his mind or if coordinator Todd Haley was sending a message to his boss.Following the game, Jackson said he wasn't aware that Gordon was in until it was too late, adding another layer of puzzlement to the situation.On Monday, Jackson said starting Gordon was "a mistake" but refused to assign blame and insisted the team had "worked through it. It's done with. We move on."Gordon said he did what he was told and was shocked to start."Yeah," he said. "I was definitely surprised."Just as baffling was that Gordon did not play the rest of the first series or the entire second series — perhaps a delayed penalty.And although Jackson talked about keeping Gordon on a "pitch count" because he hadn't played in any of the four preseason games and was just coming off a hamstring issue Womens Max Unger Jersey , he ended up playing 69 snaps, second only to Jarvis Landry (81) among Cleveland's receivers.Gordon said the coaching staff decided at halftime to play him more than was originally planned. The Browns tried to exploit the Steelers' secondary by using Gordon's speed to stretch the field and create one-on-one matchups.The 27-year-old, who had only played in 10 games since 2014 because of substance-abuse suspensions, said the extra workload was needed."Physically I felt great," he said. "It was good to get that experience and that feeling underneath me, especially an overtime game, the weather and everything. The amount of snaps and reps, it's good for my body to feel that. I feel great now, I felt great during the game. It was just good to see that my motor was at a decent point at that late in the game."Cleveland's entire offense misfired in the opener, but Gordon believes the unit can take a large leap forward in Week 2."We have to," he said. "I think in the NFL, that's the biggest jump for most teams — after that first week. And for us, we've got to take off in a big way."NOTES: Saints star quarterback Drew Brees said Browns rookie QB Baker Mayfield "can be a lot better than me. He's got all the tools. He's more athletic, he probably can run around better, he's got a stronger arm." ... Mayfield shaved off a beard he had been growing since training camp. ... Starting DE Emmanuel Ogbah (ankle) missed practice and is unlikely to play Sunday against the Saints. LB Christian Kirksey was limited by shoulder and ankle issues but should be OK, Jackson said. What a week for Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman.There was a benching during a 24-point loss. Criticism from a former teammate. Biting Twitter barbs from an opposing receiver.What better way to cap it all off than a matchup for his Redskins (2-2) on Sunday against Cam Newton and the visiting Carolina Panthers (3-1), the club that abruptly parted with Norman about 2陆 years ago."Old friends. They're coming to town, and I get to see them and go at each other. They know how I am. Trust me. I know how they are. So it's going to be quite an exciting time Authentic DeMario Davis Jersey ," Norman said. "I'm looking forward to them. I know (Newton's) got something special cooked up for us."Norman was coming off an All-Pro season and a Super Bowl appearance when the Panthers put the franchise tag on him in March 2016, a move many figured was a precursor to a long-term deal. Fast-forward six weeks, though, and Carolina rescinded the tag offer, allowing Norman to become an unrestricted free agent.Within a couple of days, he signed a $75 million, five-year contract with Washington. For whatever the reason — and there are various theories out there — things have not gone all that well for Norman, who turns 31 in December and is currently up to 19 games in a row without an interception.The downswing culminated in Washington coach Jay Gruden's decision to play a rookie instead of Norman coming out of halftime during a 43-19 loss at New Orleans on Monday night.Then came all sorts of theories about what might be wrong with Norman, from his age (courtesy of Saints receiver Michael Thomas) to his interest in becoming a celebrity (brought up by ex-Redskins defensive back DeAngelo Hall) to the shift from Carolina's zone coverage to Washington's man-to-man principles (referenced by Panthers coach Ron Rivera).Newton, a friend who participates in Norman's charity volleyball tournament, maintains that QBs still need to be wary of the guy."He's not a person who hesitates to take chances, and that's his gift and his curse," Newton said. "I still go into each and every game pointing out who the impact players are on every defense, and he's definitely one of those players."Here are some things to know about the Panthers and Redskins:COUNT ON CAMA Redskins defense that had zero answers against Drew Brees now goes up against Newton, who is having a so-so season thus far but always comes up big against Washington. The 2015 NFL MVP is 4-0 against the Redskins, with nine TDs and zero INTs, a passer of rating of 115.4 and two rushing scores. "Cam is a beast, man. He can do it all. He can pass. He can run it. He's an extra running back when he's back there Authentic Drew Brees Jersey ," Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger said. "They've got a long list of good playmakers, man. So we've got our hands full."ROLL TIDEDefensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne played together at Alabama, were first-round draft picks the past two years, and account for nearly half of Washington's sacks this season. "They are two guys that I never have to worry about: 'Hey, hustle. Hey, run to the ball.' These guys are always playing hard, playing fast, playing physical," Gruden said, "and you can build around those two cats for a long time."BAND IS BACKThe Panthers are hoping to get back three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen; he broke his right foot in Week 1. "The band is back," Newton said with a big smile. The QB's favorite target for quite some time, Olsen strung together a trio of 1,000-yard seasons before initially injuring his foot in 2017 and missing nine games. If some wonder whether Olsen might be rushing back, he said: "I wouldn't put myself out there if I couldn't help the team."DAVIS RETURNS, TOOCarolina is counting on linebacker Thomas Davis, who returns from a four-game suspension under the league's policy on performance enhancers to give a big lift to a defense that struggled to pressure the quarterback last week. Davis is the team's all-time leading tackler and joins Luke Kuechly to provide what Gruden called "the best linebacking duo in pro football, in my opinion."AP Sports Writer Steve Reed contributed to this report. Custom Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys