The AFC North took center stage in a Saturday doubleheader, with the Baltimore Ravens securing the division crown with a 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Lamar Jackson led the way with 217 passing yards and two touchdowns, solidifying his MVP candidacy. The Cincinnati Bengals also stayed in the playoff race with a hard-fought 19-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Ravens clinched their fourth division title in seven years, earning the AFC’s No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Lamar Jackson reached a milestone by surpassing 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in a single season, making NFL history. Derrick Henry celebrated his birthday with a stellar performance, rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens’ defense shined with interceptions by Nate Wiggins and Michael Pierce.
Meanwhile, the Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive and will be reliant on other teams’ results to secure a spot. Joe Burrow led the Bengals with impressive passing stats and a resilient performance in the victory. The AFC North showdowns had their share of winners and losers, showcasing the competitiveness of the division.
Joe Burrow was evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter but did not miss any playing time. Cincinnati’s offense faced challenges when Tee Higgins injured his ankle in the second half, causing a temporary stagnation. However, the team managed to make enough plays. Burrow showcased a gritty performance by throwing for 277 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Ja’Marr Chase has been a standout player for the Bengals, setting franchise single-season records in receptions and receiving yards, leading the NFL in both categories. In a dominant display, Chase troubled Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. with 10 catches, 96 yards, and a touchdown.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent loss has opened the door for the Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) to secure the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs. If the Chargers defeat the Raiders, they will surpass the Steelers (10-7) and face the AFC South champion Houston Texans (9-7) in the wild card round. Among the sack leaders on the field were Trey Hendrickson, Myles Garrett, Kyle Van Noy, and T.J. Watt. Hendrickson led with 3.5 sacks, bringing his total to a league-leading 17.5, while Van Noy added one sack to his tally of 12.5 for the season.
The Cleveland Browns faced challenges with Bailey Zappe’s performance on offense, leaving questions at the quarterback position. Zappe struggled in his first start, displaying inaccuracies and contributing to an ineffective offense against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns ended the season with a six-game losing streak but look ahead to a high draft pick in 2025 to potentially address their quarterback needs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense, led by Russell Wilson, faced a tough outing with only four completions in the first half. Despite a late surge in the final period, the Steelers fell short, continuing their four-game losing streak and securing a wild-card spot. George Pickens, the team’s top wide receiver, experienced a challenging game with three drops and a lack of connection with Wilson in crucial moments. The article was first published on USA TODAY and covered various aspects of the recent NFL games.
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