Each week during the NFL season, I will be running through the top storylines from within the AFC North and giving my brief opinion on each matter that is discussed. Once the season gets into full swing, we oftentimes overlook many prevalent stories around the league, as we narrow our focus solely on our beloved Steelers. Hopefully this weekly piece will provide insight on the important topics in the AFC North and educate each reader on what to expect for each AFC North team moving forward.

With much to discuss and minimal time to discuss it, let’s dive right in!

Joe Burrow done for 2023

Just one week after the Browns lost Deshaun Watson for the season, the Bengals lost Joe Burrow for the season, as he suffered a torn ligament in his wrist that will require surgery. Jake Browning is replacing Burrow as starter, but this almost certainly puts an end to any Super Bowl aspirations the team had. In a year like no other, where quarterback after quarterback has gone down due to injury, this hardly comes as a surprise, but it is likely enough to make Cincinnati a non-factor in the battle for the division down the stretch.

Steelers fire OC Matt Canada

The Steelers made the needed, but unanticipated, decision to fire Matt Canada mid-season. The news broke early Tuesday morning, and Steelers Nation erupted with rejoicing. There is obviously no glorying in a man losing his job, but the move was long overdue. The Steelers offense has struggled to put up any sort of consistent production, and while the running game has improved in recent weeks, the passing game has progressively gotten worse. Kenny Pickett has struggled to make smart decisions and read the field well, and the skill players have become severely disgruntled with the current state of the offense. Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will take on additional responsibilities in Canada’s absence, and Eddie Faulkner will have a greater say in the offensive gameplan as well.

Mark Andrews has “outside chance” of returning this season

Everyone in this division is dealing with significant injuries, but at least this one is not as bad as originally reported. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered a cracked fibula and ankle ligament damage in the first quarter of their win against the Bengals last Thursday night. Originally expected to be a long-term injury that could alter the outlook of his career, it now looks as if he could potentially make a return this season. While the team will most certainly not rush him back, the most recent report from John Harbaugh is encouraging for Ravens fans:

“There might be an outside chance that he could get back at some point in time. We’ll just have to see how that goes. I don’t want to say that’s definitive by any stretch, but there is some optimism. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been. It’s a little cleaner than they initially thought, based on the MRI.”

Baltimore will now rely on Isaiah Likely to replace the void left by Andrews at tight end. Rookie Zay Flowers should now be the focal point of the passing game as well.

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