Dawgs By Nature
Steelers, Ravens create distance from Bengals, Browns
Week 10 in the AFC North has wrapped up but the division/playoff race is starting to clear up. The Cleveland Browns had their bye week but the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals squared off on Thursday night while the Pittsburgh Steelers squared off with the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
For our Dawg Pound Discourse, we wondered how Browns fans root in games involving other AFC North teams, especially when they face off like they did on Thursday Night Football.
No need to elaborate any further, let’s discuss the AFC North power rankings after week 10:
1. Baltimore Ravens
Offense is great but the defense will cost them a Super Bowl appearance
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Winning... somehow
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow and Ja’marr Chase can’t save this
4. Cleveland Browns
Keep your corny “Browns lost the bye week” jokes to yourself
Going into this game, much was at stake for both Cincinnati and Baltimore. The Bengals needed a win to keep track in the division as well as the playoff race while the Ravens were trying to distance themselves from the competition.
Cincinnati had a strong start to the game while Baltimore came out thinking this was still preseason. However, there are two halves in the game of football and the Bengals played arguably their worst while the Ravens played their best.
For Baltimore, the offense couldn’t get out of their own way in the 1st half with self-inflicted wounds and the defense couldn’t stop Cincinnati’s offense. The momentum shifted when Bengals running back Chase Brown fumbled early in the 3rd and the Ravens were able to capitalize. I’ve talked about Lamar Jackson enough during these power rankings but he’s the clear-cut MVP right now. His evolution as a passer is sensational and it’s helped his game grow.
Baltimore’s offense will have to carry their defense this season, their pass defense is just not good despite the run defense being stout. The Ravens added cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Los Angeles Rams during the trade deadline but it’s more for depth (also expecting White to play at a high level seems like a lot to ask).
Baltimore is still the best team in the division and they are only getting better every week.
The Bengals are 4-6. Is their season over? Not quite, considering how the AFC is weak. However, any chance of them winning the division is dashed and their playoff hopes are slim.
Cincinnati played about as well of a 1st half against Baltimore considering what was at stake. 21-7, early in the 3rd the Bengals were trending towards a potential rout. Then this happened:
Cincinnati’s defense has been an issue all season and to no surprise, it ended up costing them again. Make no mistake, the defense played well in the 1st half but...
