Dawgs By Nature
Ravens and Steelers have concerns but still above both Ohio teams
Week 8 in the AFC North has come and gone and we are approaching the halfway point of the season. The Cleveland Browns secured an emotional win against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals find their season slipping away and the Pittsburgh Steelers just get it done, once again.
The AFC playoff picture is interesting for all four AFC North teams with everyone having a chance.
1. Baltimore Ravens
5-3, but the pass defense is a glaring weakness
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Giving them the side-eye until they prove me wrong.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
It would be a shocker if they made the postseason.
4. Cleveland Browns
A lot to get into but first watch this radio call from the booth from Andrew Siciliano and Nathan Zegura honoring the late Jim Donovan, who passed away this weekend from a valiant fight with cancer.
Going into their matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, this was a must-win game for the Cincinnati Bengals. Considering how the AFC is wide open, it was imperative that the Bengals find a way and early in the game it looked like it was trending that way. The offense was moving the ball effectively, and the defense was playing well.
Then the 2nd half happened. With the game tied at 17 apiece late in the 3rd quarter, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a bomb to wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
As the 3rd quarter was approaching the end, the Bengals went for it on 4th and 1 but they didn’t convert and the momentum shifted.
After a fast start in the 1st half, the Bengals offense stalled, and as far as their defense goes (as they have done before) they unraveled at the worst possible time. Wide receiver Tee Higgins was missed in this game (inactive due to a quad injury suffered in practice) but tight end Mike Gesicki picked up the slack but it wasn’t enough.
I wouldn’t make a big deal out of this observation but late in the 4th quarter, it appeared that Cincinnati started to slowly give up. Not ideal. This team just isn’t as good as they were in years prior. The offense is too inconsistent and the defense is a below-average unit. Head coach Zac Taylor's seat should be warm at this point and it’s hard for anyone to view this team as a playoff contender.
It was an emotional Sunday afternoon on the banks of Lake Erie. Longtime and beloved Cleveland Browns radio announcer Jim Donovan passed away on Saturday after a bout with leukemia. Considering how the season has gone, losing Donovan felt like another gut punch.
Backup quarterback Jameis Winston was the starter after Deshaun Watson was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. The offense had one of...
