The AFC North: Where Steelers stand heading into Week 6
By Mike Morris
A solid first half led to the Steelers asserting themselves with force right out of the gate in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday before what can only be described as a near-total collapse.
The Eagles scored 15 unanswered points to trim the Steelers’ 17-point lead to 2. I’ve maintained throughout this season that despite being undefeated, the Steelers have not been front-to-back impressive for 60 whole minutes at any point this season.
Philadelphia missed a field goal that would have given them the lead with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter, and I’m not so sure the Steelers would have found it in them to score again playing from behind. In any event, the field goal missed, the Steelers scored on the ensuing drive, and they remain atop the AFC North with an unblemished record.
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The Steelers remain in first with the 1.000 winning percentage, but the Ravens and Browns are hot on their tail with matching 4-1 records. The Bengals are in the basement at 1-3-1.
Elsewhere, the Baltimore Ravens soundly defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-3. Lamar Jackson still didn’t quite put up Lamar Jackson numbers, though, going 19 of 37 through the air for 180 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception.
On the ground, the Bengals held his vaunted running ability to 3 yards on 2 carries. He got the job done, but, needless to say, it was another underwhelming weekend for Lamar Jackson fantasy owners.
Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews returned from injury, with each putting up six catches for 77 and 56 yards respectively.
The now 4-1 Cleveland Browns showed the nation what they can do in a late-afternoon kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts. A slightly herky-jerky performance from Baker Mayfield (21/37, 247 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) propelled the Browns to a 32-23 victory.
Those numbers look good for the Steelers’ defense heading into a matchup with Cleveland this weekend. The Browns are nationally relevant, adding a sense of intrigue into a normally one-sided contest.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette summarizes:
"Coach Mike Tomlin said he’s looking forward to Sunday’s matchup between the unbeaten Steelers (4-0) and Cleveland Browns (4-1), who have won four in a row and lead the AFC in scoring.“We like being in the kitchen, and AFC North ball is being in the kitchen,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “It’s hot in the kitchen.” Related Story AFC North report cards through first quarter of the 2020 season Read now >>"
The Browns’ defense gives up 383.4 yards a game on average: 296.4 through the air and 87 on the ground for an average of 29.8 points. The offense gains 386.6 yards per game (198.2 passing, 188.4 rushing) and scores 31.2 points a game, on average.