AFC North – Week 13 Divisional Recap
The Steelers are tied for the best record in the NFL and the Browns are the league’s only winless team.
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-2
Baltimore Ravens 7-5
Cincinnati Bengals 5-7
Cleveland Browns 0-12
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers kicked another last second field goal, this time to beat the Bengals in Cincinnati 23-20.
What they did well
The Steelers rebounded from an early 17-0 deficit and a brutal injury to Ryan Shazier. Shazier went down in the first quarter and was taken to the hospital with an apparent back injury. Le’Veon Bell ran for 76 yards and added another 105 on 5 catches, including a touchdown on their first drive of the second half. Antonio Brown had 8 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. For the third time in their last four games, the Chris Boswell kicked the game winning field goal with time expiring.
Where they needed improvement
The Steelers had a rough start. Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception on their first drive, which led to 3 points for the Bengals. The offense did not start clicking until they were down 17-0. The defense could not get off the field, allowing the Bengals to convert on 7 of 14 third downs. JuJu Smith-Schuster cost the Steelers with a big hit followed by his taunting of an injured Vontaze Burfict.
What is Next
The Steelers come home to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football in Week 14.
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Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens thumped the Detroit Lions 44-20 at home.
What they did well
The Ravens jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and poured on another 24 points in the fourth quarter. Joe Flacco threw for 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns without an interception. Mike Wallace had 116 of those yards on 5 catches. Eric Weddle led the defense with a sack and an interception that he ran back for a touchdown to ice the game.
Where they needed improvement
The Ravens had trouble putting the game away in the third quarter. Their lead shrunk to 20-13 before they turned it on in the fourth quarter. The defense allowed 316 passing yards and allowed touchdown drives on the three of the first four drives by the Lions in the second half.
What is Next
The travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers for Sunday Night Football in Week 14.
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Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals lost a heart breaker at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-20.
What they did well
The Bengals got quickly, scoring on their first 2 drives. Andy Dalton threw 2 touchdown passes to A.J. Green in the first half as they opened up a 17-0 lead. Giovanni Bernard had 77 of Cincinnati’s 130 rushing yards. The Bengals extended drives by converting on 7 of 14 3rd downs.
Where they needed improvement
The Bengals had 13 penalties for a 2017 NFL high and franchise record 173 yards. After the Bengals went up 17-0 with just 31 seconds to go in the first half, they allowed the Steelers to drive 71 yards to kick a field goal. In the third quarter, Jordan Evans pulled up instead of pushing Le’Veon Bell out of bounds, allowing Bell to score their first touchdown. The Bengals gave up 13 points in the fourth quarter, including the game winning field goal as time expired.
What is next
The Bengals host the Chicago Bears in Week 14.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns went to San Diego and lost to the Chargers 19-10.
What they did well
The Browns took a 7-6 lead in the second quarter thanks to a touchdown pass from DeShone Kizer to David Njoku. The defense kept the Chargers out of the end zone in the first half. Joe Schobert had a sack and a forced fumble to go along with 7 solo tackles and 5 assists.
Where they needed improvement
Kizer was the leading rusher for the Browns with just 46 yards. Isaiah Crowell finished with just 41 yards on 10 carries. The Browns only managed 3 points in 2 trips to the red zone. The one time they had goal to go, they ended up fumbling the ball away. The Browns defense allowed 344 passing yards and almost 100 rushing yards.
What is Next
The Browns come home to host the Green Bay Packers in Week 14.
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