The AFC North standings did not change in Week 9, with only one team getting a win.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
The Steelers enjoyed their bye week at the top of the division. Pittsburgh will now have to defend first place when they return to action in Week 10 against the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
Cincinnati moved to 6-2 with a 34-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain.
Joe Burrow has firmly planted himself in the MVP race following another strong performance. Against the Falcons, Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and three
touchdowns while adding another touchdown on the ground. Over his last four games, Burrow has accounted for 18 touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase was Burrow’s leading receiver against Atlanta with 10 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown, while Tee Higgins had a pair of touchdowns to go with 32 yards on five catches.
The Bengals defense did not record a sack on quarterback Michael Penix, but the unit did enough to hold the Falcons’ talented offense in check. Barrett Carter had the lone turnover of the game with an interception off Penix. Cincinnati will have the opportunity to challenge for the division lead now in Week 10.
Cleveland Browns (5-4)
The Browns dropped their second consecutive game with a 23-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Shedeur Sanders got the start at quarterback in place of the injured Deshaun Watson in Week 9. Sanders finished the game 19 of 31 for 297 yards and two touchdowns, with another 28 yards on 10 carries. Denzel Boston’s 98 receiving yards on six catches led the offense, while KC Concepcion and Harold Fannin Jr. were the recipients of Sanders’ touchdowns. Fannin’s touchdown was particularly impressive as he broke multiple tackles on his way to a 39-yard score in overtime. Cleveland went for the win with a two-point attempt, but Sanders was unable to connect with Boston on the play.
The Browns’ defense racked up five sacks on Tyler Shough, with Carson Schwesinger and Myles Harden both finishing with two. Schwesinger had 15 total tackles while also forcing a fumble to go with his pair of sacks.
Baltimore Ravens (4-5)
The Ravens lost their fourth game in a row with a 33-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football.
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano started the game at quarterback on a short week after both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley were injured in the previous game. Fagnano struggled as you would expect, completing 10 of 18 pass attempts for just 60 yards and a pair of interceptions. Justice Hill was the leading rusher with nine carries for 85 yards and a touchdown, with most of the work coming on a 65-yard score in the fourth quarter. Baltimore has since acquired veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, whom they hope can keep their season alive for a potential Jackson return down the road.
The Ravens’ defense had a tough hill to climb with little to no help from their own offense, but the unit was supposed to be a strength of the team heading into the season. Instead, Baltimore’s defense has allowed over 30 points in three straight games.
