We are over the halfway mark of the season with Thanksgiving games this week. The Cincinnati Bengals were the only idle team this week in the AFC North with the other three teams in action. The Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers squared off on a cold Thursday night, while head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh, re-ignited his sibling rivalry with his brother Jim of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, enjoy the rankings.
1. Baltimore Ravens
I can definitively say I trust this team to win this division.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
The 2021 Tennessee Titans (not a compliment), prove me otherwise
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Playoff hopes are on life support right now
4. Cleveland Browns
Thursday night win on national television over a hated division rival? I’d take that.
Steelers lose Thursday night matchup to division rival, questions start to loom
Leading up to their Thursday night matchup with the Cleveland Browns, the talk around Pittsburgh was this game being a potential “trap game” for the Steelers. Considering how the Browns & Steelers looked leading up to the game, they weren’t wrong.
However, Pittsburgh was a slight favorite leading up to the game. Despite all of the talk, the Steelers found a way to lose.
Offensively, they got off to another slow start and this time it cost them. The inability to execute in the red zone and issues struggling in short-yardage situations continued to be a problem. Some Steelers fans and a specific Steelers player (looking at you George Pickens) will make excuses for why the team lost.
Sounds like someone who won’t refuse to admit their team took an L in front of national television, and he should not try to fight someone on a Hail Mary attempt but let me stop.
The weather isn’t the reason why the Steelers lost on Thursday. They lost because they overlooked the Browns, the run game was nonexistent and their vaunted pass rush got shut down by an offensive line that’s struggled all year. Quarterback Russell Wilson played fine but he’s one-dimensional as a passer and his lack of pocket presence leads to a ton of sacks due to him looking for the deep ball every time.
Barring an unfortunate collapse, Pittsburgh will be in the postseason but don’t expect them to do anything when they get there.
Baltimore responds with a solid showing on Monday night, regains control in the AFC North division picture
The Baltimore Ravens usually respond well to a loss. In another installment of the Harbaugh Bowl, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh emerged as the victorious brother.
Baltimore’s defense got off to a slow start, as they allowed the Chargers to walk them down on the first drive of the game. Despite missing their stout middle linebacker Roquan Smith, Baltimore was able to settle in (to some degree). As far as the offense goes, they had a better showing than they did last week. Baltimore got back to what they are good at which was running the ball effectively. It worked as running back Derrick Henry had another 100-yard rushing game.
Henry helps out Baltimore’s offense so much and it’s evident:
As for quarterback Lamar Jackson, well he’s getting himself back into the MVP conversation:
Now at 8-4, Baltimore faces a stiff test next Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. If Baltimore comes away with a win, this team can feel comfortable in stealing the AFC North lead from the Steelers.
Let it snow, let it snow. Cleveland steals a win over hated divisional rival Pittsburgh
Leading up to this game, the vibes surrounding the Cleveland Browns were low. A season with aspirations and goals were derailed and they were taking on a division rival in primetime on Thursday Night Football.
Everyone picked against the Browns and somehow Cleveland shocked everyone by defeating Pittsburgh in a snow-filled Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns played with a point to prove and it showed in their play. Let’s start with the defense. Defensive end Myles Garrett got shut out against the New Orleans Saints so it was only right he had a bounce-back performance against the Steelers. Garrett played with a point to prove, with the competitor to his crown as the best defender in the AFC North, edge rusher T.J. Watt, on the opposite sideline.
Garrett outplayed Watt and it wasn’t close. Double teams. Chip blocks. Don’t care. Garrett was unstoppable and he wasn’t afraid to let people know who’s better between him and Watt:
As far as the offense goes, despite their issues on 3rd down and turning the ball over twice, they found a way to come through when it mattered the most. Running back Nick Chubb had two touchdowns on the day and he looks to be getting back into the running back we know. Quarterback Jameis Winston played well and seems to be a fresh air for a city that needs it. He’s authentic and you can tell by his interviews (which never get old).
Winston also won his first game playing in the snow as well as under 40-degree weather. Enjoy this postgame interview he did with the Amazon Prime crew:
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