Our favorite reality show got more intriguing last week, as the AFC North still holds the distinction of having all four teams still alive for playoff spots, with all four technically still possible division winners.
I guess this is what “parity” means in NFL terms.
Anyway, here’s what happened.
Patriots 21, Steelers 18
The Steelers’ defense uncharacteristically fails to close out an inferior opponent, while the offense continues to disappoint, with or without Matt Canada (or QB Kenny Pickett, for that matter).
Key numbers:
- 22-35, 190 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 8 carries, 30 yards, 1 rushing TD – QB Mitch Trubisky
- 3 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD – WR Diontae Johnson
- 7 tackles – LB Nick Herbig
- 6 tackles, 1 sack – DT Cam Heyward
- 19-28, 240 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT – Patriots QB Bailey Zappe
- 3 catches, 40 yards, 2 TDs – Patriots TE Hunter Henry
- 15 tackles – Patriots LB Jahlani Tavai
Key moment:
An incomplete Trubisky pass on 4th and 2 at the two-minute warning ended any comeback hopes for the Steelers.
Colts 14, Bengals 34
QB Jake Browning continues his improbable run against a fading Colts team.
Key numbers:
- 18-24, 275 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT – QB Jake Browning
- 21 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches, 46 yards – RB Joe Mixon
- 8 carries, 25 yards, 3 catches, 80 yards, 1 Rec. TD – RB Chase Brown
- 2 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 PD – DE Trey Hendrickson
- 10 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 QB hit – LB Germaine Pratt
- 26-39, 240 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT – Colts QB Gardner Minshew
- 14 tackles – Colts LB Zaire Franklin
Key moment:
Halftime. The Colts lost all offensive momentum and produced a scoreless second half.
Jaguars 27, Browns 31
QB Joe Flacco remains the toast of Cleveland as he enjoys a bit of a career resurgence and continues to play solid football.
Key numbers:
- 26-45, 311 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT – QB Joe Flacco
- 6 catches, 91 yards, 2 TDs – TE David Njoku
- 7 catches, 77 yards – WR Amari Cooper
- 8 tackles, 2 TFL – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
- 4 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 PDs – CB Martin Emerson Jr.
- 28-50, 257 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs – Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence
- 11 catches, 95 yards, 2 TDs – Jaguars TE Evan Engram
Key moment:
The Jaguars pulled to within four points with 1:33 remaining, but failed to convert the subsequent two-point conversion attempt and onside kick.
Rams 31, Ravens 37
The Ravens struggled to put away a depleted Rams team at home, but managed to eke out a win in overtime to lay sole claim to the AFC’s #1 playoff seed…for now, anyway.
Key numbers:
- 24-43, 316 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 11 carries, 73 yards – QB Lamar Jackson
- 4 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD – WR Odell Beckham Jr.
- 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD – WR Zay Flowers
- 7 tackles, 1 sack, 5 QB hits – DT Justin Madubuike
- 10 tackles, 2 TFL – LB Roquan Smith
- 23-41, 294 yards, 3 TDs – Rams QB Matthew Stafford
- 8 catches, 115 yards – WR Cooper Kupp
Key moment:
Duh. Ravens WR Tylan Wallace’s improbable punt return TD in overtime finally brought a wild game to an exciting finish, sending the home fans out smiling.
See y’all next week.
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