Unlike last season, the AFC North doesn’t appear to be the best division in the NFL.
No sir. No way, etc.
The Ravens have edged their way back to a winning record, while the Steelers have provided little to retain their divisional lead since a 3-0 start. The Bengals appear to have real flaws on defense, while the Browns…well, they probably just need several stiff drinks at this point. Two games separate the Steelers and Ravens from the Browns and Bengals, and it’s still relatively early in the season. But does anyone feel the final divisional tally will look much different?
Anyone?
Browns 13, Commanders 34
The Browns continue to spiral the proverbial playoff drain, likely becoming the first team from the AFC North to be eliminated in what’s already been a miserable season in Cleveland. The Browns became the latest team to underestimate rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who continues to string together prime-level performances in only his fifth NFL start. Daniels wasn’t perfect (14-25, 238, 1 TD, 11 carries, 82 yards), but did more than enough against a hapless Browns defense that continues to give up crucial rushing third downs. The defense surrendered 215 yards on the ground, and uber-defensive end Myles Garrett was held without a single statistic on the day beyond downs registered.
The Browns didn’t fare any better on offense, with the Commanders sacking underperforming QB Deshaun Watson seven times and applying instant pressure almost every time Watson (15-28, 125 yards, 1 TD 1 fumble lost) touched the football. WR Amari Cooper led the team with 4 catches for 60 yards, while RB Jerome Ford added 47 rushing yards on 9 carries. Needless to say, the Browns have real work to do.
Next: Browns @ Eagles, 10/13, 1:00 pm, FOX
Ravens 41, Bengals 38
In an afternoon of offensive fireworks, the Bengals blinked later than the Ravens (who blinked first), resulting in a crushing overtime loss that may well have scuttled the Bengals 2024 season.
For most of the game, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (26-42, 348 yards, 4 TDs, 12 carries, 55 yards) and Bengals QB Joe Burrow (30-39, 392 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT) engaged in an actual shootout, with both teams scoring nearly every time they held possession. The Ravens were led by WR Zay Flowers’ 7 catches for 111 yards, while the WR duo of Ja’Marr Chase (10 catches, 193 yards, 2 TDs) and Tee Higgins (9 catches, 83 yards, 2 TDs) were simply punishing the Ravens’ secondary almost at will for long stretches. Ravens RB Derrick Henry added 95 rushing yards, including 51 in overtime to set up the game-winning FG.
Responsibility for the loss could certainly lay at the feet of Bengals head coach Zach Taylor, who in overtime, after Jackson’s fumbled snap granted the Bengals solid FG range, called three consecutive rushing plays (for a gain of three total yards), only to botch the snap exchange and miss the ensuing FG attempt badly. Jackson handed the ball to Henry on their subsequent snap, who effectively ended the game with his 51-yard scramble.
Burrow’s lone interception came at a crucial point in the fourth quarter, as the Bengals, leading 38-35, were effectively bleeding the clock with their rushing attack. Burrow inexplicably threw a slant pattern to Chase, only to have Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey step directly in front of Chase for the INT. Eight plays later, Ravens K Justin Tucker converted a 56-yard FG attempt, clinching overtime.
You know the rest.
Next for Cincinnati: Bengals @ Giants, 10/13, 8:20 pm, NBC
Next for Baltimore: Commanders @ Ravens, 10/13, 1:00 pm, CBS
Cowboys 20, Steelers 16
The Steelers’ tried-and-true method of forcing field position through suffocating defense has produced many wins for them over the last few years. The strategy largely depends on delivering key defensive stops and three-and outs, mixed with just enough offense to steal the win, bolstered by opportunistic field position. This team’s generation of offense has been sporadic and inconsistent with QB Justin Fields the last couple of weeks, leading to some speculation that the team may give veteran Russell Wilson a shot when he’s fully recovered from his ankle injury, if only to provide some energy to a largely anemic unit lately.
Fields (15-27, 131 yards, 2 TDs, 6 carries, 27 yards) wasn’t bad Sunday, just uninspiring, as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s designs are starting to seem plodding and predictable to most defenses. For example, WR George Pickens and Van Jefferson each caught 3 passes for 26 yards – the high mark statistically for Pittsburgh receivers.
Defensively, the Steelers fared well until they allowed Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s TD pass with 20 seconds remaining. OLB T.J. Watt (8 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits) terrorized Prescott most of the evening, and S Minkah Fitzpatrick led the team with 10 tackles.
Next: Steelers @ Raiders, 10/13, 4:05 pm, CBS
See you then.
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