AFC North Recap: Steelers in desperation mode with division crown up for grabs

The fifteenth week of NFL football is behind us, and it was quite the week in the AFC North division. With that said, it is time to see how the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns all did in the week that was.

Time to take a look...

Baltimore Ravens - 40
Jacksonville Jaguars - 14

The Baltimore Ravens did what teams are supposed to do when they play a weaker opponent. They put their foot on their throats, and never gave them even a chance to think they had a chance to win the game. A dominating performance from a team who was left for dead just a few weeks ago. If they get into the playoffs, they can be dangerous.

Cleveland Browns - 20
New York Giants - 6

Despite some early questionable coaching decisions by the Giants, the Browns took care of business on the road in prime time. The win doesn’t just give them their 10th win of the season, but puts them in legitimate position to win their first AFC North title after the Steelers have tripped and fallen all flat on their faces the past three weeks. The Browns are the opposite of the Steelers at this point, they are playing their best football of the season at just the right time.

Cincinnati Bengals - 27
Pittsburgh Steelers - 17

If the New York Jets didn’t beat the Los Angeles Rams, this would be the worst loss of the week, and even then I would say this loss was worse. The Steelers have owned the Bengals, and this wasn’t Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon doing damage. This was Ryan Finley and Giovanni Bernard. In terms of embarrassing losses, this one has to be at, or near, the top of the Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin era. With two weeks remaining all it takes is one win to claim the AFC North. With the Colts coming to Heinz Field in Week 16, nothing is guaranteed other than a playoff spot for the sputtering Steelers.

AFC North Standings

Pittsburgh Steelers - 11-3-0
Cleveland Browns - 10-4-0
Baltimore Ravens - 9-5-0
Cincinnati Bengals - 3-10-1

Week 16 AFC North Schedule:

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts — Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants — Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets — Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans — Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET

A look ahead...

The final opponents for all AFC North teams:

Baltimore Ravens: vs. Giants, at Bengals
Cleveland Browns: at Jets, vs. Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers: vs. Colts, at Browns
Cincinnati Bengals: at Texans, vs. Ravens