NFL: Takeaways From Week 6 In The AFC North

The Bengals fell to the Packers in an 18-27 loss, the Browns had a divisional game against the Steelers, where the Steelers won 23-9, and lastly the Ravens lost to the Rams at home 17-3. The AFC North has been falling apart outside of the Steelers; they are quickly running away with the division. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Flacco brings improvement to the offense

Joe Flacco, at his core, is a gunslinger who makes the most out of the best players on the field. He constantly joins a team and contributes to the best of his ability. The Bengals offensive line is still a struggle bus, but Flacco was able to get the ball to Ja’Marr Chase, which is what they should be focusing on right now.

Cincinnati Bengals: The run game has to get going to win games

The Bengals offense was going to struggle regardless of any injuries or decisions until the run game began to improve. While Chase Brown averaged over 4 yards per carry against the Packers, he only had 42 total rush yards, and the run game simply looked inefficient. The way to lose games in the NFL is to have a one-dimensional offense, and that is what the Bengals have had now for 3 straight seasons.

Cleveland Browns: Browns lack of playmakers make it harder on the QB

The Browns need new playmakers on offense, specifically at receiver. There is no reason for Harold Fannin Jr. to be your top receiver in a game. The Browns need to have either Jerry Jeudy step up into the role he is supposed to be in or make a trade for an upgrade, so Dillon Gabriel is not being set up for failure.

Cleveland Browns: The offensive line needs a revamp

The whole Browns offense is a mess, but it really starts with the incompetence of the offensive line to protect whoever they are tasked to protect. Quinshon Judkins only averaged 3 yards per carry in 12 attempts, and Dillon Gabriel was constantly pressured and got taken down 6 times. This is completely unacceptable for the Browns to allow; they either need a 6th offensive linemen out there or a completely new scheme to compete.

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens are gonna miss the playoffs unless Lamar returns

The Ravens are the NFL’s biggest disappointment this season, which is in part due to injuries and in part due to the defense being extremely underwhelming. The offense without Lamar Jackson is putrid; combine that with a bad defense, and it has been a recipe for disaster for the Ravens so far this season. The Ravens have no chance at making the playoffs unless Lamar Jackson returns and is in full health to carry the team for the last 11 games.

Baltimore Ravens: The defense can improve throughout the season

While the defense has been really bad through the first 5 games of the season, they showed big improvements against a really solid offense with the Rams. The Rams scheme and talent are one of the best in the NFL, and the Ravens were able to hold them decently, so they had a chance to win the game. The defense has shown improvement in the secondary, and if this continues, they will have a good chance to be a much better team throughout the whole season.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers has full control of the offense

Aaron Rodgers continues to show the NFL that he still has juice to win games against good defenses. The Steelers offense looked proficient, although they only scored 2 touchdowns, they were able to not give up a sack or a turnover against one of the NFL’s best defenses. Aaron Rodgers was a big part of this as he was just the motor for the offense the entire game, orchestrating everything perfectly.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The NFL should be scared of the Steelers defense

While the Browns offense is really, really bad, the Steelers were able to fluster them with difficult blitz packages and great overall defense. The edges for the Steelers were crucial in holding the Browns to only 9 points. The Steelers defense had a rocky start but is really stringing together solid team performances.