AFC North Power Rankings Week 5: Ravens win shootout; Bengals, Browns running out of time

After a slow start, the AFC North is rounding into form with the Ravens on top

Week 5 in the AFC North has wrapped up. The Baltimore Ravens escaped with an overtime thriller against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cleveland Browns are struggling to find any form offensively, and the Pittsburgh Steelers voodoo magic runs out (it appears)

Anyway, let’s do the rankings:

1. Baltimore Ravens

Won a shootout, but the defense has some issues

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

I don’t know how they keep doing this

T-4. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow said that the team isn’t championship caliber and he’s right

T-4. Cleveland Browns

HC has to do what’s best for the team or lose his job

Baltimore wins overtime shootout, but pass defense is an issue

This game is in early contention for game of the year, considering how both Baltimore and Cincinnati’s offense were lights out but in the end Baltimore found a way to leave Cincinnati with a victory. When you watch quarterback Lamar Jackson play, every week he makes a highlight tape that leaves you stunned (in a good way). For example, plays like this:

As for the running game, running back Derrick Henry continues to show why the Ravens running game is potent with him and Jackson in the backfield. After the missed field goal by Cincinnati that would’ve won the Bengals the game (Baltimore turned the ball over on the first drive of overtime), Henry broke off a huge run that pretty much put Baltimore in position for the game-winning field goal.

As far as Baltimore’s defense goes, the passing defense (mainly the secondary) has been an issue. The defense as a whole didn’t play well but considering how the passing defense has been an issue since the start of the season, you question whether or not Baltimore can get it fixed. Baltimore’s offense has found itself but the defense has work to do if they want to be a contender in the AFC.

Cleveland and Cincinnati drop to 1-4, find themselves in holes

It’s a less-than-ideal situation when both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, teams with playoff aspirations find themselves with losing records and their seasons slipping away.

For the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow said it best.

Everyone knows how potent the offense is but the issues are beyond that. Head coach Zac Taylor’s conservative play-calling and not playing to win is one of the many reasons why the Bengals aren’t serious Super Bowl contenders. Defensively, the unit just isn’t good right now. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was once a candidate to be a future head coach, now he potentially finds himself on the hot seat. Cincinnati could dig itself out of this hole, but who knows at this point?

As for the Browns, not much more needs to be said. The offense, which has been an issue all season struggled against one of the worst defenses in terms of efficiency. Not ideal. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has already stated that they will not be making a switch at the quarterback position, but it should be on the table. The defense seems to be frustrated due to the offense’s inability to sustain drives, and it won’t be long before the locker room starts losing faith in the head coach. At 1-4, season appears to be over but Stefanski is a good coach and he shouldn’t have to defend himself for a QB who he doesn’t mesh with.

Severe weather, Steelers lose despite forcing 3 turnovers

To those who stayed up late to watch this game, bless your soul. Due to severe weather, the Sunday Night game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys didn’t start till 9:45 PM EST time and it didn’t end until 1:00 AM EST.

Dallas’s running game has been struggling for the entire season but for some reason, they found success in this game. Offensively, the Steelers couldn’t get out of their own way and quarterback Justin Fields didn’t capitalize on the opportunities that were presented to him. Considering how the Cowboys were missing two of their best edge rushers in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the offense looking inept as it did during portions of the game is less than ideal.

Defensively, the Steelers forced 3 turnovers and somehow lost the game. The unit also gave up 400 yards of total offense. The unit took some hits along their edge rusher group, Alex Highsmith was already out but losing Nick Herbig was less than ideal.

As far as the quarterback goes, some are claiming Pittsburgh should start Russell Wilson over Justin Fields. Yeah, no.

Pittsburgh is 3-2 but they aren’t as good as their record might indicate. The team has issues that need to be fixed.