AFC North Week 15 Recap
Team Record Points Scored/Points Allowed
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) 330/204
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter week 15 as one of the most consistent teams in football.They currently sport one of the best point differentials in the NFL. After 6-0 start the Steelers would lose their next 3 games and failed to score more than 10 points in each contest. QB Neil O'Donnell's absence was pivotal in the latter 2 as back up Mike Tomczak threw 6 interceptions in 8 quarters of work in relief. The Steelers are streaking in O'Donnell's return as they've scored 49, 22, 34, and 41 in their last 4 games. Yancey Thigpen leads the league in receptions and yards as Erric Pegram's and Bam Morris' joint efforts propel the Steelers rushing attack to 4th overall. The Steelers sport the 3rd rank offense in yards and are 3rd in points per game with their trigger man ranking as one of the leagues most efficient passers this season.
Defensively the Steelers are as good as ever. Through 13 games they've surrendered the fewest yards in the league. They're 4th in points allowed, 2nd in sacks, and sport the leagues best red zone defense. If there's an Achilles heel to this team it would be their turnover differential being a -9, the worst in the league. 20 turnovers and only 11 take ways for a normally ball hawking defense. That said they have forced at least 1 turnover in each of the last 4 games after a slow start in that regard.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) 265/294
The Bengals currently find themselves in the thick of a playoff race despite the -29 point differential. QB Jeff Blake is in the top 10 in the NFL in TD passes while sporting the 6th best rating in the AFC despite having a largely inefficient rushing attack that ranks 26th. The defense ranks 27th in points allowed but has a propensity for creating key turnovers in close games. This paired with them only committing 9 turnovers through 13 games is a recipe to win the close games.
3.
Cleveland Browns (6-7) 235/279
The Cleveland Browns are an interesting team. They sport a -44 point differential, but are 5-1 at home. They can't seem to find a rhythm on the road as they sport a 1-6 road record. They got off to a solid start to reach 5-3 before the bye week. They've gone 1-4 in their last 5 and the offense has struggled during that stretch, failing to score 21 points in all 5 and failing to hit 17 in 3 of those. QB Vinny Testaverde is receiving much of the blame as the Browns look for answers. Vinny tossed 11 TDs to just 2 INTs before the bye. Since he's posted a 4-8 ratio. Big money WR Andre Rison has been vocal about his frustrations as his hot-cold weekly stat line looks like a stock market chart in flux. The defense was on of the top units in '94, but has taken a big step back in '95 by ranking 24th in points allowed, 21st against the pass and 17th vs the run.
4.
Baltimore Ravens (5-8) 216/266
The expansion Ravens shocked the NFL in the first week of the season. A 17-10 road win over the Jets signified the Ravens would play hard under HC Dick Vermeil who leapt back into this unique coaching challenge after a lengthy hiatus that dates back to 1983. The ravens and Texans were very late additions to the the league thus they did not participate in the NFL draft. A roster filled with cast offs has posted a 4-3 record after their 1-5 start. They also sport the 3rd rank pass defense and a rush defense that's in the top half of the league. They're scrappy and while their big armed QB in Kurt Warner is inexperienced he's flashed enough to give the people of Baltimore hope something is there. Barry Foster has helped the rushing attack by grinding out 774 yards on the ground. The Ravens have a ways to go to be considered a player in the NFL landscape, but they've shown they will fight.
12-18-2023, 09:06 AM
