The Ravens lost their spot at the top of the division after falling to the Browns in Week 5, while the Steelers pulled off a comeback win, and the Bengals enjoyed a bye week.
Cleveland Browns (4-2)
Cleveland now sits atop the AFC North after defeating Baltimore, 13-10.
The Browns’ offense struggled to get anything going for most of the game. Cleveland’s lone touchdown of the day came from Austin Estime after a fourth-quarter fumble recovery set the offense up at the 35-yard line. Deshaun Watson struggled heavily against
the Ravens’ defense, going 16 of 26 for 164 yards while being sacked five times. Jerry Jeudy was the most productive of the Browns’ wide receivers, catching four passes for 69 yards, including a 33-yard reception to get the offense in range for the game-winning field goal. Jaleel McLaughlin led a banged-up backfield with nine carries and 41 of the team’s 93 rushing yards.
Cleveland’s defense rebounded in a big way after allowing 10 points on Baltimore’s first two drives. The Ravens’ offense, led by backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, struggled to move the ball for the remainder of the game while Derrick Henry was effectively neutralized on the ground, even without Browns star defensive tackle Mason Graham in the lineup. Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, who was questionable with an ankle injury, led his team with 13 total tackles and forced the critical fumble on Henry in the fourth quarter. Quincy Williams, Isaiah McGuire, and Maliek Collins accounted for the Browns’ three sacks on Huntley. Andre Szmyt missed his first field goal of the season while making two others, including the game-winner on the final drive of the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Pittsburgh rallied from a 13-0 deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, 26-19.
The Steelers scored just three points in the first half before ripping off 23 in the final two quarters and overtime. Aaron Rodgers’s two passing touchdowns brought him to 539 in his career, tying Peyton Manning for the third-most in NFL history. The 42-year-old completed 33 of his 49 passing attempts on the game for 253 yards and an interception to go along with his pair of scores. Jaylen Warren led the ground attack with 50 yards on 14 rushes, while a returning Rico Dowdle chipped in 40 yards on seven carries. D.K. Metcalf led all receivers with 93 yards on 11 catches, trailed closely by rookie Germie Bernard’s 87 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. Tight end Darnell Washington also had a touchdown catch to go with 25 yards on four catches.
The Steelers’ defense feasted against backup quarterback Jalon Daniels. Jalen Ramsey and Nick Herbig each had two sacks and Yahya Black had one, while Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette each came away with an interception. Payton led the defense with 11 tackles, bringing him up to 55 on the season, the eighth-most in the league. Chris Boswell finished 4 for 5 on field goals, bringing his number of missed kicks up to four for the season and putting him on pace for a career-high.
Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
Baltimore lost the division lead with a 13-10 loss in Cleveland.
Lamar Jackson’s second straight absence from the offense was glaring as Huntley struggled for much of the day, finishing 19 of 31 for 165 yards and a touchdown. Zay Flowers was the leading receiver with 66 yards on six catches, while rookie Josh Cuevas caught Baltimore’s only touchdown. Derrick Henry failed to get going on the ground after a strong start, rushing 17 times for just 58 yards with a costly fumble that led to Cleveland’s only touchdown. Rookie Ja’Kobi Lane impressed in his return to action after suffering a wrist injury in the season opener, converting first downs on all four of his catches for a total of 40 yards.
Baltimore’s defense was suffocating for much of the game. The pass rush was effective against Deshaun Watson, sacking him five times. Trey Hendrickson logged his second sack as a Raven after a two-game absence due to finger surgery; Nnamdi Madubike, Roquan Smith, Tavius Robinson, and Calais Campbell all got to Watson as well. As usual, though, cracks began to form where they always do: on third down, in the fourth quarter. Jerry Jeudy’s 33-yard catch moved Cleveland into field goal range for Andre Szmyt’s game-winner. That also set up a contrast with Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, who renewing discussions about his job security by missing his third field goal of the season in a game decided by three points.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
The Bengals rested up during their early bye week and will look to join the AFC North’s four-win club on Sunday in Baltimore.
