Happy Holidays!
Because of those aforementioned holidays, I gotta be brief. Having only two divisional games to cover certainly helps that.
Steelers 17, Ravens 34
In getting their proverbial black and gold monkey off their collective backs, the Ravens reestablished themselves as a possible Super Bowl contender.
In the game’s key sequence, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (15-23, 207 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) committed his lone turnover in almost-catastrophic fashion, tossing the ball to Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick early in the fourth quarter of a game they led by a lone TD. Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey intercepted Steelers QB Russell Wilson (22-33, 217, 2 TDs, 1 INT) two plays later and ran it back for a touchdown to extend the Ravens’ suddenly-insurmountable lead.
Of note was RB Derrick Henry’s (24 carries, 162 yards) dominance, as he was routinely gaining five to seven yards before contact in perhaps the Ravens offensive line’s best effort to date. The Steelers were unable to establish any consistency on offense and failed to apply their trademark defensive pressure to frequent victim Jackson.
Next for Steelers: Chiefs @ Steelers, 12/25, 1:00 pm, Netflix
Next for Ravens: Ravens @ Texans, 12/25, 4:30 pm, Netflix
Browns 6, Bengals 24
The Bengals continued their redemption tour with a steady, suffocating offense and timely defense.
QB Joe Burrow (23-30, 252 yards, 3 TDs) continued his recent streak of stellar play, connecting with his top wideouts for TDs, including an improbable heave to WR Tee Higgins in the end zone while falling forward. Counterpart QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (20-34, 157, 2 INTs) did not enjoy similar success, and despite multiple chances, does not appear to be the answer to the Browns’ continual QB woes.
Bengals RB Chase Brown (18 carries, 91 yards, 3 catches, 18 yards) picked up several key first downs and extended several clock-killing drives against a game Browns defense that saw DE Myles Garrett’s 100th career sack.
Next for Browns: Dolphins @ Browns, 12/29, 4:05 pm, CBS
Next for Bengals: Broncos @ Bengals, 12/28, 4:30 pm, NFLN
Go be with your people! Get out of here!
Again, Happy Holidays. Enjoy.
