OHIO — Ohio football went four-for-four over the weekend, and the wins came in every possible form. Ohio State overwhelmed Kent State, Cincinnati erased a 21-point halftime deficit against Miami, the Bengals smothered Houston and the Browns rallied in Tampa Bay. Pro Football Focus grades every player on every snap, offering a useful second look at who drove those results. The numbers are not perfect—role, opponent and snap count matter—but they help separate a productive afternoon from a quiet one.

Ohio State

Linebacker Riley Pettijohn led the Buckeyes with a 91.5 overall grade in the 59-3 win over Kent State. The sophomore played 27 snaps, earned a 91.3 coverage grade and intercepted a pass, continuing his rapid rise in a crowded linebacker room. Defensive tackle Will Smith Jr. was close behind at 90.2 on 17 snaps. His 87.7 run-defense grade reflected the kind of interior disruption Ohio State expects from him.

Jeremiah Smith finished third at 83.8 after becoming Ohio State’s career receiving leader, an absurd achievement before the end of his junior season. Defensive tackle Jamir Perez earned an 83.4, including an 83.8 pass-rush grade, and also scored as a short-yardage runner. Quarterback Julian Sayin rounded out the top five at 83.1. All five grades were at least 83.0, and three belonged to defenders. The opponent obviously lowers the celebration level, but the distribution matters: two defensive tackles, a linebacker, the star receiver and the quarterback all graded well in a complete win.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Linebacker Jonathan Thompson earned Cincinnati’s highest grade in the 35-31 comeback over Miami, leading the defense with a 90.5. His 93.1 pass-rush grade was the best individual category mark among the Bearcats’ top five, and he also posted an 80.6 tackling grade over 39 snaps. Running back Cole Tabb led the offense and ranked second overall at 81.6. He scored three touchdowns, including the winning 53-yard run with 1:29 remaining, and added an 86.3 receiving grade. Wide receiver Larenzo Fenner was third at 80.3 despite playing only 16 snaps, another reminder that a strong grade can come from a limited role.

Cornerback Antwan Peek Jr. ranked fourth at 78.5 over 57 snaps. He earned a 90.6 pass-rush grade and an 85.4 tackling grade while forcing two fumbles, including the strip sack that ended Miami’s final possession. Right tackle Judea Milon completed the top five at 78.4 after playing all 77 offensive snaps. His 87.6 pass-blocking grade was Cincinnati’s best, an important performance while JC French IV attempted 43 passes during the rally from a 28-7 halftime deficit. The list captures the comeback well: explosive production from Tabb, impact plays from Thompson and Peek, a useful contribution from Fenner and steady protection from Milon.

Cincinnati Bengals

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was the Bengals’ highest-graded player in the 20-6 win at Houston, posting a 91.5. He made three tackles, recorded a tackle for loss, generated five pressures and produced a fourth-down run stop. That is exactly why Cincinnati made him a centerpiece: he can wreck a drive even when the box score does not capture everything.

Edge defender Cedric Johnson followed at 87.2, giving the Bengals another encouraging front-seven performance. Tee Higgins led the offense at 83.1, while Joe Burrow earned an 80.6 and Ja’Marr Chase a 78.9. Chase Brown narrowly missed the top five at 78.5. The larger takeaway was balance. Cincinnati allowed the fewest points of the Zac Taylor era while its biggest offensive names still occupied three of the five leading spots. The Bengals did not need a shootout or a perfect offensive afternoon; they won with pressure, coverage and enough efficiency from Burrow and his playmakers.

Cleveland Browns

Two cornerbacks topped Cleveland’s grades after the 23-19 victory over Tampa Bay. Myles Harden led the team at 90.6, barely edging Denzel Ward’s 90.4. Harden played 56 snaps and Ward played 65, so neither grade was built on a cameo. Their work helped the Browns hold Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers to one touchdown, and Ward added an interception. Deshaun Watson was third at 88.8 after completing 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in the comeback.

Linebacker Quincy Williams earned a 78.9, while receiver Isaiah Bond posted a 77.8 on only four snaps. That tiny sample deserves a flashing warning label, so Denzel Boston’s 73.5 over 54 snaps may be more meaningful. Boston caught five passes for 95 yards and broke three tackles on a 55-yard touchdown that changed the game. Whether Bond or Boston occupies the practical fifth spot, the broader picture is encouraging: Cleveland’s best grades came from the secondary, the quarterback and a young receiving group. For one Sunday, the formula worked.

Four teams, four wins and four very different paths. PFF grades should never be treated as the final word, especially when snap counts vary so sharply, but they confirm what the games suggested: Ohio’s teams received winning performances from both established stars and younger players still carving out larger roles.