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AFC North Recap: Steelers receive help and add distance in their division lead

The AFC North was widely considered the toughest division in the NFL heading into the regular season, but there certainly have been some bumps in the road where the division played poorly. Every AFC North team was in action in Week 13, but the AFC North had games at different times. When all was said and done, the Steelers beat the Bengals, and the Ravens lost to the Eagles, making the Steelers lead in the division go back to 1.5 games heading into Week 14.

Time to take a look at how the AFC North played out in Week 13, the latest standings and the upcoming schedule in Week 14.

Pittsburgh Steelers – 44
Cincinnati Bengals – 38

Did you have Russell Wilson with 400+ yards on your BINGO card Sunday? Me neither. I thought he’d have a solid game with some good numbers, but never did I see Wilson lighting up the Bengals defense the way he did on Sunday. Many will bemoan the Steelers defense struggling to keep the Bengals off the scoreboard, but not many teams have been able to do that vs. Joe Burrow and company this season. To me, this shows the Steelers are able to win in multiple ways. Want to win a close, ugly, low-scoring affair? They can absolutely do that. Need to win in a high scoring shootout? They have proven they can do that too. Bigger fish to fry lies ahead.

Philadelphia Eagles – 24
Baltimore Ravens – 19

Just like I didn’t see Russell Wilson going off vs. the Bengals, I didn’t see the demise of Justin Tucker being on display for all to see. Tucker has missed a lot of kicks, not just field goals, this season, and missed three kicks on Sunday vs. the Eagles. He missed an extra point and two field goals, and those 7 points cost the Ravens big time in a big game. The Eagles are a team who can be had early in games, but the Ravens weren’t able to come out of the gates quick and ultimately lost their 5th game of the season with a tough stretch still awaiting them after their bye in Week 14.

Denver Broncos – 41
Cleveland Browns – 32

Jameis Winston is doing Jameis Winston things for the Browns at the helm. He threw for over 400 yards, but also threw two pick-sixes in the game which were the deciding factor in the outcome in the Mile High city. Next up for the Browns is a trip to Pittsburgh, their second meeting in three weeks vs. their division rivals. After the Thursday Night Football win over the Steelers there was a lot of chatter coming from the Browns. Words which I’m sure the Steelers will remember when the Browns come to Pittsburgh on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. Should be a good game, and might be higher scoring than most people expect.


AFC North Standings

Pittsburgh Steelers – 9-3
Baltimore Ravens – 8-5
Cincinnati Bengals – 4-8
Cleveland Browns – 3-9


AFC North Week 14 Schedule

  • Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers — 1pm EST, Sunday
  • Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys — 8:15pm EST, Monday (MNF)
  • Baltimore Ravens — BYE WEEK

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