Divisional weekends are such fun.
Old rivalries are renewed, new bragging rights are established, and predictions of valor (or shame) are routinely broken, to be thrown into the dustbin of other dashed hopes and visions of failed excellence.
Or maybe your team won, and you said, somewhere, it was possible. Unlike me.
Good for you.
Ravens 16, Steelers 14
Everyone’s aware of the history. The brutal, low-scoring, thudding nature of Hall of Fame players impacting against one another, often adding to the ever-running tally of broken limbs, dreams and winning streaks.
This was not that.
The embattled-yet-still-division-leading Ravens managed to squeak by the Steelers in Pittsburgh, essentially closing the door on any flickering hopes the Steelers had for a wholly-improbable playoff appearance. Rookie QB Kenny Pickett was unceremoniously dumped on his head during Pittsburgh’s opening drive, resulting in a concussion and probable absence for upcoming games. Likewise, Ravens QB Tyler Huntley, who started in place of injured QB Lamar Jackson, was also concussed on a third-quarter hit, ending his day and putting his participation in doubt going forward.
With both QBs sidelined, the Ravens opted to run the ball often. Returning RB J.K. Dobbins had his best game of the 2022 season with 120 yards and a TD on 15 carries, while backfield mate Gus Edwards added 66 yards on 13 carries, many of which netted first downs, including a crucial late fourth-quarter conversion that sealed the win for Baltimore.
The Steelers did not emphasize the run, instead putting trust in backup QB Mitch Trubisky to execute the game plan. Trubisky complied for one five-play drive that culminated in a rushing TD by RB Najee Harris. He then imploded, throwing three interceptions over the ensuing three quarters, all in Baltimore territory and at times when the offense appeared to be righting itself in a close, ugly game. The only real offensive Steelers highlights for the day belonged to rookie WR George Pickens, who pulled in all three of his targets for 78 yards in a fun matchup with Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey.
Browns 10, Bengals 23
Bengals QB Joe Burrow has finally removed the proverbial Cleveland monkey from his back, as the Browns had previously been the only AFC North team he had yet to beat. While not a resounding blowout, Burrow overcame a sluggish start and the loss of two wideouts to injury to knock off the Browns and recently-returned QB DeShaun Watson, who fared little better in his second start this season than he did his first.
The Bengals held Browns RB Nick Chubb to 34 yards and a 2.4 YPC average, effectively taking away the Browns’ best weapon and forcing them to pass. Watson’s numbers were unremarkable (26-42, 276 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), if slightly improved over last week’s eyesore. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones responded well with a 114-yard day, and TE David Njoku added 7 catches and a TD. Little else went right for the Browns offensively, who are seemingly not equipped nor coached to play from behind, as they were forced to do for a majority of this game.
Burrow, missing WRs Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Tyler Boyd (dislocated finger) for essentially the entire game, connected often with lone remaining star WR Ja’Marr Chase, who had 10 catches for 119 yards and a TD while operating almost unchecked through the Browns’ defensive backfield. No other Bengals receiver had more than two receptions for the game, fully illustrating Chase’s importance to the team’s chances. RB Joe Mixon added 96 yards on 14 carries in his return from injury.
Bengals star DE Trey Hendrickson reportedly broke his wrist, yet played the fourth quarter with it and intends to play going forward; it remains to be seen whether the team’s medical staff agrees with that determination. Boyd and Higgins are currently described as day-to-day, so it appears all three significant injuries will be evaluated before game time this week.
Of note was Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski’s puzzling fixation with attempting fourth down conversions, failing in all three of his attempts Sunday and matching a league-wide trend of fourth down ineptitude.
Enjoy the week!
