Even during their bye week, the Baltimore Ravens could not escape disappointment as they now have sole possession of last place in the AFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Week 7 was a classic shootout between the two oldest quarterbacks in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco traded blows in a thrilling primetime contest that ended in a 33-31 Bengals victory.
The 42-year-old Rodgers seemed to turn back the clock with a vintage performance featuring four passing touchdowns (and two interceptions). Jaylen Warren returned to action
to lead the way on the ground with 127 rushing yards on 16 carries, while tight end Pat Freiermuth led all receivers with 111 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight 68-yard catch-and-run score.
The Steelers defense could not stop the 40-year-old Flacco from having his way through the air, particularly on passes to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, as the pair hooked up for 161 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps more surprisingly, the unit only notched two sacks against the immobile Flacco playing behind what has been a weak offensive line.
Pittsburgh remains at the top of the division at 4-2, but their lead has now shrunk to just one game with a difficult schedule ahead.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)
In just his second game since being traded to Cincinnati, Flacco has seemingly won the hearts of yet another AFC North fan base as he dismantled the divisional rival Steelers for the Bengals’ first win since Week 2.
Flacco ended the night with 342 passing yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions on 47 attempts. Chase and fellow star wide receiver Tee Higgins combined for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Chase Brown had his best game of the season with 108 rushing yards on 11 carries. This was the first time the third-year running back had crossed 50 rushing yards in a game this season after a strong sophomore year.
While missing the team’s best edge rusher in Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati did not register a single sack on Rodgers. Safety Jordan Battle and cornerback DJ Turner were both able to snag interceptions from him that played a role in the Bengals’ victory.
The Bengals are now just one game behind the division lead with renewed energy thanks to the change at quarterback.
Cleveland Browns (2-5)
The Cleveland Browns had what was perhaps the most shocking result of the Week 7 slate as they trounced the Miami Dolphins, 31-6, for their second win of the season.
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins continues to look like an emerging star, as the second-rounder racked up 84 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries against the Dolphins. Meanwhile, rookie third-round quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 13 of 18 passes for 116 yards with zero touchdowns. Gabriel has yet to throw an interception since taking over the starting role. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. led the team with 36 receiving yards, with fellow tight end David Njoku inactive with a knee injury.
The Browns defense smothered the Dolphins, picking off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa three times to go with a fumble recovery and four sacks. Cornerback Tyson Campbell, whom Cleveland recently acquired via trade in exchange for cornerback Greg Newsome II, was one of the players to come away with an interception.
With their win on Sunday, the Browns are no longer in last place in the division.
Baltimore Ravens (1-5)
As mentioned, the Ravens didn’t lose a game in Week 7, but they still lost ground in the AFC North with the Browns’ victory. All eyes will be on Lamar Jackson’s practice status this week. He returned to the field in a limited capacity on Wednesday, but it’s still no certainty that he takes the field on Sunday.
