Tag: AFC North

AFC North Week 14 preview: Ravens can stand alone after this week

The Baltimore Ravens can clinch the AFC North in Week 14 if they once again take care of their own business and get a little help.

The Baltimore Ravens handled their own business in Week 13 but managed to see an AFC North rival fall to the wayside without even playing them.

With their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns have officially been eliminated from AFC North contention. With a 5-7 record and just four games remaining, the Browns cannot mathematically win the division. It means the Ravens have just one more team to concern themselves with in the AFC North standings as they enter Week 14. Let’s take a look at what the division has on the books for this week.

Baltimore Ravens (10-2) at Buffalo Bills (9-3)

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Baltimore is coming off a draining game against the San Francisco 49ers. In the cold rain, the Ravens were taken the distance and beaten up by the 49ers, though they prevailed in the end. Though the Bills aren’t quite as good as San Francisco, they’re another physical team with quite a lot of talent that’s surging. It’s become a cliche to say at this point, but this is yet another really tough test for Baltimore this week.

However, this is a key game for the Ravens. They win, they’re in . . . it’s as simple as that. But they’ll get tested by an athletic quarterback that likes to run in Josh Allen and a defense that plays tough, aggressive football. Buffalo is also fighting for their playoff hopes, even though they can’t lock in a spot in Week 14.

There are no “gimmes” in the NFL and with the importance of this game for the Ravens, they can’t afford to slack off.

Ravens / Bengals-Browns / Steelers

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Top 5 offensive lines of Week 12: Titans of the trench, protectors of Jimmy G, and that’s so Ravens

From Los Angeles to the Big Apple via New Jersey, here were the top 5 O-lines from Week 12.

Week 12 in the NFL was the stuff of legend, beginning with a grand entrance that reminded fan bases that November—up to this point—had been just as wild as October.

Selfies were snapped in Week 12, with an excited rookie QB, Dwayne Haskins, not realizing the Redskins had unfinished business against Detroit. (Luckily, Haskins didn’t hit anyone over the head with their phone, or worse, update it to the newest iOS.) The Steelers called on a “Duck” in Week 12, while the Cowboys inexplicably called on the kicking unit. And top of the favorites list was the Packers, reminding the football-watching world that some things are simply more significant and far more critical than seeding in the NFC:

The offensive lines kept on trudging through all of the organized chaos, too—diving, pulling here and there, and doing their collective parts to move the chains while keeping the quarterback upright and minimally pressured. From Los Angeles to the Big Apple via New Jersey, here were the top 5 O-lines from Week 12.

5. Tennessee Titans

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguars rolled into the Music City with a run-stopping defense that was a little light on the “stopping” part, which left them more of a blinking sign that just read: Run!

And run—run, run!—is precisely what the Titans did, and did very well.

Tennessee’s running attack racked up 219 yards and four touchdowns, with Derrick Henry bulldozing his way for over half of the grand total (159 yards) and two scores. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill continued his impressive Act II as the Titans stater, hitting on 14 of 18 passes for two touchdowns, while also adding another two scores on the ground.

New to the rankings, the Titans’ O-line was solid the entire game. Yes, this was Jacksonville and not the Patriots, 49ers or even a loosely roped-off door. But still, they created time for Tannehill while opening lanes for Henry. They didn’t fall victim to any creative schemes nor did they spend the afternoon shaking their head while the referee yelled out their name while making the universally accepted signal for “holding.”

And, of course, nothing seals the deal—on this ranking, anyway—better than…offensive lineman touchdowns!

Ben Jones, Rodger Saffold, Jake Conklin, Tyler Lewan, Nate Davis, and Dennis Kelly: A forced fumble during the lone sack surrendered on the day is not enough to neglect you guys the collective shine for a job well done.

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Top 5 offensive lines of Week 11: NFC South revivals, top dawgs, and a historical O-line TD celebration

An exceptional celebration topped the list in Week 11—maybe for all Pigskin Eternity—and a few others also didn’t disappoint.

What started with the Helmet Doink Heard ‘Round the Internet and ended with a repetitive masterclass in how much higher Estadio Azteca is than Mile High, Week 11 in the NFL provided a continuous flux of double-take moments.

While the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph Storm was eventually downgraded to a social-media depression, the Arizona Cardinals nearly made it a two-game losing streak for the San Francisco 49ers. The Denver Broncos brought back reflections of Bills-Oilers 1993. Ezekiel Elliott introduced his best Dak Prescott-pregame impression. Tom Brady was happy with the win over the Eagles—but not, like, happy-happy. And, you guys, what exactly is pass interference?

Cut through the confusion, the entertainment and debacles, and there were also some top-level offensive line performances. A near “Yeah Billy Bob, we got the six” moment, with an exceptional celebration topped the list in Week 11—maybe for all Pigskin Eternity—and a few others also didn’t disappoint.

Here were the top 5 from Week 11.

5. Atlanta Falcons

(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

What in the world has gotten into the 2019 Atlanta Falcons?! Suddenly, they are trendy. A real matchup nightmare. The Dirty Birds of Yesteryear. (Gillette is probably scrambling to re-release those Matt Ryan ads.) And yes, they are certainly this week’s Oliver Stone Award winner—Any Given Sunday.

They lined up across the ball from the Carolina Panthers in Week 11 and, for the second consecutive week, pummeled an NFC South opponent. The Falcons’ air attack was effective. Going up against a pass defense ranked in the top half of the league, Matt Ryan finishing the day 21-of-31 for 311 and one touchdown. The O-line held off a sturdy edge assault from Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin, limiting the pressure and allowing Ryan time to find his targets. Although the run game wasn’t anything monumental, the 30th-ranked rushing attack did just enough to keep things somewhat balanced.

Alex Mack, Jamon Brown, James Carpenter, Jake Matthews, and Kaleb McGary: Your performance—considering it was the first not under a roof this season—was truly “Great Outdoors.”

5th :: 4th :: 3rd :: 2nd :: 1st

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AFC North roundup: Ravens fly high, Bengals tamed once again

The Ravens blew out the Texans while the Bengals remain winless

After Thursday night’s divisional battle in FirstEnergy Stadium between the Browns and Steelers, the other two AFC North teams were on display on Sunday in Week 11. The tale of two cities remains about as divergent as possible with Baltimore and Cincinnati.

The Ravens absolutely destroyed the visiting Houston Texans, 41-7. The hyped matchup between Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Houston’s Deshaun Watson fizzled quickly. The Ravens defense flummoxed Watson and the AFC South-leading Texans at every turn.

Baltimore jumped up to 8-2 with the impressive win and now holds a 2-game lead on the Texans, Chiefs, Colts and Raiders for the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Bengals remain winless after falling in a relatively close game in Oakland. Now 0-10, the Bengals once again had no answer for the opposing run game. Ryan Finley managed just 115 passing yards in his second start at quarterback. Cincinnati is speeding towards the No. 1 overall pick and has a viable shot to join the 2017 Browns and 2008 Detroit Lions in the ignominious 0-16 club.

AFC North standings

Ravens 8-2

Steelers 5-5

Browns 4-6

Bengals 0-10

AFC playoff picture: Steelers currently No. 8 in the conference

The Steelers are losing ground in the AFC playoff race.

With all the meaningful AFC games in the books for Week 11, we can take another look at the AFC playoff picture as it pertains to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just a week ago the Steelers were sitting in the No. 6 seed and held a wild card spot.

However, just one week later, after a crushing loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers find themselves in eighth place in the AFC and losing hope on the season at 5-5.

Here’s the current AFC ranking.

1-New England Patriots 9-1

2-Baltimore Ravens 8-2

3-Buffalo Bills 7-3

4-Indianapolis Colts 6-4

5-Kansas City Chiefs 6-4

6-Houston Texans 6-4

7-Oakland Raiders 6-4

8-Pittsburgh Steelers 5-5

This list really illustrates just how bad the loss to the Browns was. Even if the Chiefs lose on Monday night to the Los Angeles Chargers they would stay ahead of Pittsburgh. The Steelers do have a win over the Colts should that come into play.

Pittsburgh has a very soft schedule to finish the year minus the Ravens and Bills. If the Steelers can go 4-2 in the final six games and beat the Bengals, Browns, Cardinals and Jets it would secure a 9-7 record. Is this enough to make the playoffs? Unfortunately, it won’t be up to them.

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Ravens vs. Texans Week 11: Time, TV channel and how to stream online

The Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans in Week 11. Here’s the NFL stream information, TV channel and more so you can watch live.

The Baltimore Ravens are in a prime position just after the midway mark in the 2019 season. They sit at 7-2, in first place in the AFC North standings and in the second seed in the AFC playoff picture. Things seem to be coming together perfectly for this team after a rocky start but they’ll have to continue answering questions about just how good they are.

In Week 11, Baltimore will get another tough test in quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans. In a game that features two of the best offenses in the league and two of the best young quarterbacks, it’s the matchup of the week.

If you’re interested in watching the game live, check out the information below, including the television channel, NFL stream link and more.

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Game information:

Houston Texans (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-2)

Sunday, Nov. 17, 1:00 p.m. ET

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

Streaming:

Live stream: fuboTV (try it free)

Television channels:

CBS – WJZ Ch. 13 (Baltimore)

Broadcast map

TV broadcasters:

Ian Eagle (Play-by-play)
Dan Fouts (analyst)
Evan Washburn (field)

Radio:

WBAL (1090 AM/101.5 FM)
98 Rock (97.9 FM)

Radio broadcasters:

Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play)
Jarret Johnson (analyst)
Kirk McEwen (field)

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Multiple players suspended for Browns-Steelers fight

Three players, including Myles Garrett, were suspended for their roles in the Steelers-Browns fight on Thursday night.

If you missed the Week 11 contest between the AFC North rivals Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, you missed a complete meltdown at the end of the game. Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett ripped Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph’s helmet off and swung it at him, connecting with his head and sparking a melee in the end zone at FirstEnergy Stadium.

A day later and the end result is the suspension of three players – two from Cleveland and one from Pittsburgh — as well as some big fines, according to the NFL.

  • Garrett is suspended indefinitely, which will include the rest of the 2019 season at a minimum.
  • Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi is suspended for one game.
  • Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey is suspended for three games.
  • Pittsburgh and Cleveland were fined $250,000 each.

There also appears to be some additional punishments coming down the line for other players as the league dives further into what happened during the scuffle.

These suspensions will deal a big blow to both the Steelers’ and Browns’ chances of making the postseason. All three players are starters and have been important pieces of their respective teams. Furthermore, if Garrett’s suspension holds, he’ll end up missing the Week 16 Ravens-Browns rematch that could very well decide Cleveland’s postseason fate.

With their win, the Browns are now 4-6 while the Steelers sit at 5-5. Even if Baltimore were to lose this week to the Houston Texans, the Ravens would still effectively hold a three-game lead over Pittsburgh given their head-to-head tiebreaker from the Week 5 win.

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Ex-players, current NFL stars react to the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph fight

One of the wildest incidents in NFL history overshadowed a big AFC North win for the Cleveland Browns.

Not long after the clock struck midnight in Cleveland, the big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the first one in five years, had already been forgotten. The joy of finally overcoming the AFC North rival deflated and distorted into a media-frenzy of questions and moments of dead air—because even the ones who get paid to make sure dead air doesn’t happen were speechless.

In case you missed it:

Although the NFL will inevitably over-starch the canvas while trying to iron this debacle out, the courts of public opinion work a little more quickly. Beyond those who have been self-appointed as Measurers of Proper Football Inflating, there were some strong takes from both current and ex-NFL players, no more than 20-some minutes after the ugly (ugliest?) incident occurred:

And then, in the left corner, the man fighting out of Oklahoma State:

In the right corner, fighting out of Texas A&M:

 

Probably the most-reasonable sound clips to come out of this, so far, has been from the coaches:

Those expecting quick and precise justice for this incident might want to hit the breaks, too—there has already been a scorecard debate that judges this bout as more of a push, a “He took my lunch, first!” ordeal.

And no, I don’t think Odell Beckham Jr. was fined for any uniform infractions tonight.

Texans 100: Facts and Figures for Ravens, No. 26-50

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens square off in Week 11, and we take a look at QB Lamar Jackson and coach Bill O’Brien.

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens hookup for an early battle for the second seed in the AFC Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at M&T Bank Stadium.

To get ready for the matchup, we continue our quest for 100 facts with a look at Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Texans coach Bill O’Brien.

Facts and Figures for Ravens, No. 1-25

lamar jackson facts

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

26. Jackson’s 27 scrambles are tied with Josh Allen for the third-most in the NFL.

27. Though Jackson’s touchdown passes are tied for the 10th-most in the NFL with 15, his 5.9% touchdown percentage is tied for the sixth-highest in the league.

28. Jackson’s 8.0 yards per pass attempt is the eighth-highest in the NFL.

29. Jackson’s 101.7 passer rating is the 10th-highest in the league.

30. Jackson’s average depth of target is 9.1 yards, tied with Philip Rivers and Josh Allen for the seventh-highest in the NFL.

31. Jackson’s five quarterback hits are the absolute lowest taken among quarterbacks who have started every game since Week 1.

32. Among quarterbacks who have started every game since Week 1, Jackson’s 11.0 yards per scramble are the highest in the NFL.

33. Among quarterbacks with at least 30 red zone passes, Jackson is 1/10 quarterbacks to have not thrown a red zone interception.

34. Jackson’s 21 red zone rushing attempts are the most among quarterbacks this season.

35. Jackson’s 8.4 yards per pass attempt on third down is the seventh-highest among quarterbacks with at least 50 passes on third down.

36. Jackson’s 113.4 passer rating on third down is the fourth-highest among quarterbacks with at least 50 third down attempts.

37. Jackson has converted the most third downs on the ground with 14.

38. Jackson has rushed 25 times on third down, the most in the NFL. The second-closest is Seahawks running back Chris Carson with 19.

39. Jackson’s 198 rushing yards on third down are the most in the NFL. Second-closest is Jameis Winston with 100.

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Texans 100: Facts and Figures for Ravens, No. 1-25

The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens square off for Week 11, and we take a look at the series and Deshaun Watson facts.

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens get ready for a Week 11 encounter that is, not only a run for the playoffs, but seeding for the playoffs. If the Texans can get a win over Baltimore, they will have the tiebreaker and move into the No. 2 seed, the last of the first-round byes.

To get ready for the matchup, here are series facts and Deshaun Watson figures.

SERIES FACTS

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Texans are 6-3 for the fourth time in franchise history. All three previous teams won the AFC South (2011, 2016, 2018).

2. Since 1990, 99/119 teams that started 7-3 made the playoffs with 62 of those teams having won the division.

3. Since 1990, 87/145 teams that started 6-4 made the playoffs with 34 of them having won the division.

4. The Ravens are 7-2 for the third time in franchise history. Both of those teams won the AFC North (2006, 2012).

5. Since 1990, when playoff formats were last reformatted, 60/62 teams that started 8-2 made the playoffs with 48 of those teams having won the division.

6. The Texans are 2-8 against the Ravens all-time, including playoffs, with a 0-5 record on the road.

7. The Texans’ 2-8 record against the Ravens is their worst against the AFC North, including playoffs:

Browns: 7-3

Bengals: 8-4

Steelers: 2-4

Ravens: 2-8

 

8. The Texans’ 7-11 road record against the AFC North is their second-best outside the division:

AFC West: 8-8

AFC North: 7-11

AFC East: 7-13

 

9. The Texans are 31-55 in the Eastern Time Zone with a 24-43 record in the early time slot.

10. The Texans are 97-114 in the early afternoon slot with a 35-61 record on the road.

11. The Ravens are 140-103-1 in the early afternoon slot with a 96-39-1 record at home.

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