Dawgs By Nature
Bengals hoping to catch up with Ravens and Steelers
Week 7 in the AFC North has wrapped up. The Pittsburgh Steelers made a quarterback change and it surprisingly worked out, the Cincinnati Bengals won the battle of Ohio over the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens continue to look like the class of the division.
A lot to discuss, let’s get into it.
1. Baltimore Ravens
If the season ended today, Lamar wins back to back MVP
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
They told Russ to cook and he didn’t burn down the kitchen
3. Cincinnati Bengals
3-4, but they aren’t where they need to be.
4. Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb scored, I am leaving here with something.
When Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin chose to make a quarterback change by replacing quarterback Justin Fields with Russell Wilson, many questioned the thought process made by Tomlin. “Why would the Steelers make a quarterback change when the team is winning?”
As mentioned last week, Fields didn’t pass the ball particularly well for the past couple weeks so it didn’t surprise many that Tomlin would consider a change at the quarterback spot. Turns out, Tomlin knew what he was doing.
At first, it looked bleak as the Steelers offense sputtered at times but thanks to the New York Jets making mistakes, the Steelers were able to capitalize and the offense got its footing:
Wilson might not have the rushing upside that Fields possess but is a better passer. Wilson’s best trait is the deep ball and it’s still there (barely) but the mobility isn’t. Pittsburgh’s passing offense looked competent and the weapons contributed. Are the Steelers contenders with Wilson under center? No, but Mike Tomlin left this “bar” during his postgame presser:
In this latest Battle of Ohio, it was the Cincinnati Bengals coming away with the victory. Make no mistake, the Bengals did their best to give this game away but they found a way.
Offensively, Cincinnati got success in the passing game but mainly did their damage with the over routes (mainly dig routes). Quarterback Joe Burrow played well while wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase had their occasional splash plays, Higgins eclipsed 80+ yards receiving.
The running game for the Bengals was bottled up but the defense came away with crucial turnovers to get the win. Head coach Zac Taylor almost gave the game way with some head-scratching decisions and the team poorly executed but it’s another sloppy win that the Bengals will take.
Let’s discuss the Cleveland Browns. No, specifically Quarterback Deshaun Watson. Late in the 2nd quarter, while the Browns were driving down the field Watson suffered a non-contact injury. Watching the replay, he ruptured his Achilles and his season was likely over.
The reaction however is something I want to discuss.
Some people cheered when Watson got hurt, while others boo’d. Regardless of how you feel...
