Updated Standings:
- Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2
- Cincinnati Bengals 6-2
- Cleveland Browns 5-4
- Baltimore Ravens 4-5
Cincinnati Bengals
Matchup: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20pm EST
The Bengals avoided a potential letdown game last week against the Atlanta Falcons in Spain, securing a 34-17 victory. After losing the first quarter by three points, the Bengals outscored the Falcons by 20 points for the remainder of the contest. Now riding a four-game win streak, having exceeded 30+ points in each game, the Bengals will return home for a primetime matchup with the Steelers.
In Week 3, the Bengals suffered a 30-27 defeat
against Pittsburgh and sit in second place now despite having the same record. Cincinnati’s passing attack has been firing on all cylinders recently and Joe Burrow is hitting his stride. Over the last four games, Burrow has 16 touchdown passes while averaging over 300 passing yards. The Steelers are a Top 3 defense against the run but rank middle-of-the-pack defending the pass. The Bengals continue to struggle running the ball effectively, so they’ll likely attack Pittsburgh’s secondary regularly.
Elsewhere, the Bengals’ inconsistent run defense may be tested by Steelers’ rushing attack that has totaled 148 yards and 200 yards on the ground in back-to-back games. The Bengals will need to slow down Jaylen Warren in the backfield, who has been a star this season. If the Bengals can make the Steelers one dimensional offensively, they become a much more beatable team.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Matchup: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20pm EST
Like their divisional counterpart, the Steelers have won their last four games to improve to 6-2, sitting atop the division by virtue of tiebreaker. Prior to last week’s bye break, the Steelers defeated the Browns handedly by 21 points, their most lopsided win of the season and only their second win by more than one possession. Pittsburgh’s momentum will be put to the test in a tough road environment this Sunday night with the AFC North lead on the line.
The Steelers have won the turnover battle in three consecutive games. That will be an important factor for them to defeat the Bengals. Burrow has taken good care of the ball this year but did have a three-interception performance just two weeks ago. If the Steelers’ defense can force a turnover or two and give their offense support with shorter fields, that will go a long way in helping them keep pace.
On offense, the Steelers continue to long for better production from their pass-catchers to help unlock more downfield plays. Warren has been the team’s only consistent playmaker and Rico Dowdle has ran well over the last two weeks in a complimentary role. However, D.K. Metcalf and company have been up-and-down in the passing game. In order to match Cincinnati’s high-flying offensive attack, the Steelers will likely need to hit on a few explosive passing plays.
Cleveland Browns
Matchup: vs. Houston Texans, 1:00pm EST
The Browns have now lost back-to-back games and are looking to get back on track before their upcoming bye week. In Week 9, they allowed a winnable game to slip through their grasp against the Saints, where they lost by one point in overtime. Shedeur Sanders impressed in his spot-start for Deshaun Watson at quarterback, but the Browns still struggled to run the ball and didn’t start scoring much until the fourth quarter.
Watson is set to return from injury to start this week versus his former team. The Texans have underwhelmed defensively this year but still have one of the league’s more talented defenses, which will pose a challenge for the Browns — whose offense has struggled mightily at times this season. Houston has been vulnerable in pass coverage, allowing over 235 passing yards per game, leaving some hope that Watson can hit a downfield shot or two. The Browns will need to connect on some type of explosive plays or find a way to run the ball more effectively.
Defensively, the Browns will need to bring their A game, as the Texans have prolific offensively at times in recent weeks. Last Sunday, they scored 44 points and C.J. Stroud threw five touchdown passes with nearly 400 passing yards. The Browns may be able to afford to sell out against the pass rather than the run, as the Texans rank even worse running the ball than they do.
Baltimore Ravens
Matchup: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15pm EST
The Ravens were thrashed by the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday night, losing by 20+ points for the third straight game. Baltimore’s offense struggles hit a new low, as the team scored 10 points, gained 10 first downs and totaled just over 200 yards. With a hobbled third-string quarterback under center, the Ravens were no match for a talented Jaguars’ squad. Fortunately, they will get the ultimate potential get-right matchup this coming Monday, taking on a winless Chargers team that is in disarray.
Hopes for a potential offensive turnaround lie with new incoming quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who the Ravens traded for after Week 9. Brissett should provide a significant upgrade over Joe Fagnano as an experienced veteran who has proven, at the bare minimum, he can lead scoring drives and operate an offense at a competent level. Even with Brissett now under center, the Ravens need more consistency from their offensive line and breakthrough performances from veterans like Mark Andrews, Ronnie Stanley and Derrick Henry.
Defensively, the Ravens have given up 30+ points in three straight weeks to three of the best offenses and quarterbacks in the NFL. They’ve played good halves and quarters, but the lows have been low. Coverage breakdowns and lack of impact pass rush continue to plague them. If there were ever a spot to have a convincing performance and force turnovers, this would be it. Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert leads all quarterbacks in interceptions this season.
