Week 3 in the NFL was something to behold. The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get wins for the division, the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a humiliating defeat and the Baltimore Ravens
find themselves off to a slow start. It’s early, and the AFC North hasn’t been decided just yet, but the fates of certain teams in the division have already been made.
Loser: Bengals HC Zac Taylor
Going into the season, there were legitimate questions about Taylor’s job security. After Sunday’s blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings, those questions are going to get louder and Taylor’s seat might already be scorching hot.
If we have to be honest, the Cincinnati should be 0-3 right now, had the Browns not missed a makeable field goal and the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t self-destruct in the end. The Bengals came out flat and unprepared against the Vikings, which falls on coaching. It’s not a question of whether Taylor ends up being shown the door in Cincinnati, but when.
Not good.
Winner: Browns HC Kevin Stefanski
If there was a coach who needed a win on Sunday, it was Stefanski. Cleveland’s head coach has had to deal with a ton of criticism for the current state of the Browns offense (some of it he can’t control, some of it he can), but after Sunday’s upset win over the Green Bay Packers, you can’t criticize Stefanski for having his team prepared and ready to play.
The Packers came into this game as massive favorites on the road and the team came out flat with a lack of focus. The Browns, on the other hand, came out prepared and ready to steal a game they had no business winning. That falls on coaching. Despite the offensive struggles the team had, Stefanski had the team ready to play and instilled confidence and belief in a team that was 0-2.
Most teams would’ve closed up shop and prepared for next week when they are down by 2 scores. The Browns didn’t. Stefanski outcoached Packers head coach Matt LaFleur in the 2nd half.
Both Stefanski and the players deserve credit for a massive win.
Loser: Baltimore overcoming their mental demons
Despite being tied for last in the AFC North right now, the Ravens are still my favorite to win the division. The Steelers are not as good as people think and the Bengals could be in trouble. However, Baltimore isn’t making things easier on itself with these performances.
In terms of the trenches, the Ravens lost on both sides of the ball, and the turnovers are back-breaking. On paper, Baltimore is one of the best teams in the AFC, but they can’t get out of their own way. Offensively, the unit stalled out and the defense got worn out towards the end of their loss against the Detroit Lions.
If Baltimore wants to get over their playoff hurdle, they have to overcome whatever is plaguing the team mentally. How do they do that? I’m not sure but Monday night didn’t inspire any confidence.
Winner: Resiliency
If there is one thing that Week 3 taught us, it is to never give up. Don’t believe me? Ask the Browns and Steelers.
With Pittsburgh, despite being outplayed for most of the game, the team found a way to win a game that they had no business winning. Forcing five turnovers against the New England Patriots helped the team steal a victory in Foxboro. The Steelers are 2-1, but no one should necessarily be afraid of this team, as the offense is questionable and the defense might be bad.
As for the Browns? The team was down 10-0 late in the 4th quarter but found a way to come back. It started with an interception by safety Grant Delpit:
Which set up this touchdown run by rookie RB Quinshon Judkins:
Cleveland then proceeded with this blocked field goal and eventually the Browns got into field goal range for the game-winning field goal:
It’s never over until it’s over.
