It was a bipolar week in the AFC North.
The division went 3-1 overall. If not for Baltimore’s injury-decimated roster (again) and lack of discipline, it could have easily been 4-0. Kudos to the winning teams; as some sports folks have observed, these early games seem irrelevant until you’re pondering having to win an away game in January to cinch a playoff spot.
Every game matters. So let’s examine what happened.
Colts 22, Ravens 19
The Ravens offense looked very capable on its opening drive, which ended in a QB Lamar Jackson rushing TD. That was nearly the last time the offense would appear so for the remainder of the game. Over the course of the remaining 54 minutes, Jackson fumbled twice, losing one, and the offensive line, missing two starters, failed to protect Jackson even a little, as he was continually forced out of the pocket into poor reads and panicked, ill-advised rushes. That Jackson still managed to be the Ravens’ best offensive weapon was a little baffling. Backup RB Kenyon Drake fumbled away what would’ve been a 24-yard passing gain in the second quarter, effectively ruining any momentum the Ravens would enjoy for the afternoon. Beyond Jackson’s 101 yards rushing and 2 TDs, there’s little of note statistically for Baltimore’s offense. If you’re curious, see here.
Defensively, the Ravens did a credible job considering they lost another pass rusher (LB David Ojabo) and reserve safety (Geno Stone) to injury; Colts backup QB Gardner Minshew did a solid job of not reacting to pressure and finding his receivers on a wet, uncomfortable day. The Ravens surrendered 122 rushing yards to RB Zack Moss, but still managed to stay cohesive, holding Minshew to 227 yards passing and forcing him into an ill-advised safety. Second-year safety Kyle Hamilton had an excellent day for the Ravens with three sacks, nine tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defensed.
On a sloppy day, special teams made all of the difference, with Colts K Matt Gay connecting on four consecutive 50+ yard FGs – an NFL record. Ravens K Justin Tucker didn’t fare nearly as well, missing a 61-yard attempt.
Titans 3, Browns 27
Bully for the Browns, who were counted out by many after the season-ending knee injury to RB Nick Chubb last week. QB Deshaun Watson produced his best game as a Brown with 289 yards passing and 2 TDs; his only blemish was a Browns-recovered fumble. The absence of Chubb was felt, as the team gained a total of 77 rushing yards, but the receiving corps – particularly WR Amari Cooper (7 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD) – picked up the slack admirably, and the defense handled the rest.
DE Myles Garrett amply demonstrated why he’s among the most feared pass rushers in the NFL, with 3.5 sacks among his 5 tackles for loss on the day. Garrett was simply unblockable at times, pressuring Titans QB Ryan Tannehill into a pedestrian day (106 yards passing, no TDs) and forcing the Titans to radically adjust their blocking schemes to account for him. The Browns limited Titans vaunted RB Derrick Henry to 20 rushing yards, and the team to 26 overall – to say this performance was ‘dominant’ would be a hefty understatement.
Sorry, Browns fans – there’s just not much more to say. The Browns themselves shut down the Titans so thoroughly they left little room for extended conversation.
Steelers 23, Raiders 18
Many – myself included – reflexively marked this game as a Steelers loss. Considering the issues the Steelers have had when playing the Raiders for years prior to 2022 (no road wins since 1995), it’s to be expected. That said, this year’s Steelers tried their level best to lose to a clearly inferior Raiders team again, but LB T.J. Watt (two sacks, perpetual pressure) and the Pittsburgh defense was clearly in no mood to let it happen. The Steelers intercepted Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo three times, twice by CB Levi Wallace, as he failed to adjust to the assorted fronts the Steelers presented and looked confused much of the time.
The Steelers put forth a workmanlike effort on offense, with QB Kenny Pickett producing his best day of the young season (16-28, 235 yards, 2 TDs), connecting with WR Calvin Austin III and TE Pat Freiermuth for scores. Pittsburgh’s rushing attack remains substandard; neither starting RB Najee Harris nor backup Jaylen Warren produced much on the day (105 team rushing yards); Warren added three catches to balance out his effort. WR George Pickens continues to amaze but underwhelm simultaneously; the second-year WR had four catches for 75 yards and is clearly the most explosive receiving option the team has; whether it’s miscommunication with Pickett or an inability to consistently get open, Pickens simply isn’t adding a level of consistency to his game…yet. It should be noted, he still has plenty of time to grow.
Rams 16, Bengals 19
On a night where most of the concern was the health of Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s ailing calf, the Cincinnati defense held sway and delivered a much-needed win. Burrow still didn’t look “right”, but was effective enough to complete 26 of 49 passes for a season-high 259 yards, including 12 catches for 141 yards to favorite WR Ja’Marr Chase. RB Joe Mixon (19 carries, 65 of 67 team rushing yards) provided the only Cincinnati offensive TD on the evening.
The defense, led by DE Trey Hendrickson’s two sacks, dictated most of the action, limiting notoriously pass-happy Rams QB Matthew Stafford to 269 yards and 1 TD pass, with 2 ill-advised INTs. Bengals second-year CB Dax Hill appears to be ‘coming into his own’ this season as he led the team with 8 tackles and a sack, while LB Logan Wilson contributed both interceptions of Stafford. The Rams’ lack of any sort of rushing attack was glaringly evident, as they managed only 71 total yards (38 from RB Kyren Williams. I’ll give you five dollars if you knew who he was prior to last night.)
Player health is an ongoing issue in the AFC North, to say the least. Here’s to our teams being their best selves when they meet.
See y’all next week.
