Steelers cling to hope as they try to stay afloat in AFC North

The Steelers are still dead last in their division, but they are clinging onto their new found hope heading into week 13.

Week 12 of the grueling schedule for these four teams that call the AFC North home was mostly successful. The Ravens were the only club that could not secure victory in a game that they should have been able to win. The Steelers, Browns, and Bengals were all able to take care of business and push this division into a tighter contest.

Week 13 presents different challenges for these four teams that will hope to push the Ravens divisional lead down. Some of these groups have a better chance at catching up to and overtaking Baltimore’s crown, but it will not be easy. There are playoff chances at stake and these teams will be fighting till the end.

Steelers took care of business and hope to ride that momentum forward

The game came down to the wire, but the black and gold were able to hang on and beat the Colts on Monday night. It saw the Steelers nearly blow another lead before the defense was able to make a game saving turnover. This team is nothing special and it is going to probably cost them a spot on the couch when the playoffs kick into high gear.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) vs Atlanta Falcons (5-7), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Could it be crazy to imagine Pittsburgh winning two games in a row? Well, they have a prime opportunity to accomplish that task against a Falcons team that has started to fall off in recent weeks. Stopping the run against Atlanta is a tall order, but the Steelers should be able to secure a win if they can do that.

Cleveland hopes to have their season saved by their starting quarterback

Deshaun Watson will be heading back to Houston to take on his former team for his first start in a long time. He did not show any promising looks during his short stints of play during the pre-season, but the Browns faithful will hope that is just a blip. Jacoby Brissett gave this team a chance to stay competitive, now it will be up to Watson to perform.

Cleveland Browns (4-7) vs Houston Texans (1-9-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Things should be easy for Cleveland this week as they get ready to face a terrible Texans team. They have little talent across their roster and the Browns should be able to win this game rather easily. Watson will probably show signs of rust and struggle at different points of this contest.

The Bengals hope to keep their winning streak alive in a playoff tease matchup

No club in the AFC North has played better than the Bengals over the last month or two. They look to be returning to the Super Bowl form that they showed last season. Their win over the Steelers was huge, but they will need to win big games against the Ravens and Browns to secure this division.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) vs Cincinnati Bengals (7-4), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

Welcome to the early playoff tease that the NFL always roots for when they are making the schedule. This is not only a playoff foreshadowing, but it is also a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game as well. Both clubs are playing great football heading into this game that looks like it should be a shootout.

Baltimore aims to rebound from a disappointing loss last week

Their loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the waning minutes was deflating, but the Ravens still hold onto the division lead for now. Their performance against the Steelers and the rest of the division during the remainder of the season will be what matters most for them. They have taken care of business in their divisional games thus far and they will try their best not to alter that.

Denver Broncos (3-8) vs Baltimore Ravens (7-4), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Getting back on track against an offense-less Denver Broncos team is what the doctor ordered for the Ravens. Baltimore’s defense should be able to stop Russell Wilson from accomplishing much and cause some havoc. Denver’s defense is solid, but they are littered with injuries that will make life easier for Lamar Jackson.

The Steelers still sit at the bottom of the AFC North division, but they will hope to continue their winning ways. The division got tighter as we get ready for week 13 of actions around the NFL.