State of the AFC North: Post week 5

An interesting week four puts it mildly for the AFC North. The Steelers are on fire, the Ravens may have made the change necessary for success and Cincy got whooped by the rookie QB - RB tandem of Dallas. Oh yeah, and the Cleveland Browns attempted everything possible at quarterback.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1): Ben Roethlisberger is playing darkhorse MVP football, dropping 380 yards and 4 TD’s on the Jets defense. Yet another receiver buries two touchdowns as they continue to churn out receiving products like Ravens produce UDFA defensive talent. Le’Veon Bell only rushed for 66 yards, mainly due to the lack of coverage in the passing game. They now sit atop the AFC North alone.

Up next: The Miami Dolphins. Expect Roethlisberger and Co. to keep the victory train in motion.

Baltimore Ravens (3-2): If not for Marc Trestman and John Harbaugh’s foolish coaching, this team could still be undefeated. But we all know about if’s and but’s. The Ravens drop their second straight game, both on home field. The Washington Redskins put up a very bad effort, but the Ravens produced even less. Ravens are cruising to a wild card, but only if the offense is fixed. Baltimore is injury riddled, and are clearly suffering. Key components on offense and defense will be absent this Sunday, truly testing the Ravens grit.

Up next: The New York Giants. A tough battle for the Ravens, and the first time they’ve been underdogs this season. Very uncertain how this game goes.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3): Ooph. . . The Bengals went to Dallas and the Cowboys laid down the hammer. For three straight quarters the Bengals couldn’t find the scoreboard while quarterback Dak Prescott and runningback Ezekiel Elliot posted four touchdowns. Zeke rushed for two touchdowns and 134 yards on only 15 attempts. Dak rushed for his own touchdown and threw for another. Andy Dalton and the offense didn’t quit, with two touchdowns in the fourth. It was already too late, but they didn’t throw in the towel early.

Up next: The New England Patriots. A full speed ahead football titan, the Patriots are 8.5 point favorites. It is in New England, and we all know just how good the Pats are at home.

Cleveland Browns (0-5): They put in three different quarterbacks into the game against the New England Patriots last week, one of those being Terrelle Pryor. Brady went god-mode, posting 406 yards and 3 TD’s. Cleveland is the worst team in football and it doesn’t look to be close, though the Bears and 49ers were trying.

Up next: The Tennessee Titans. Mariota has been balling, but the team isn’t quite high caliber yet. The titans are seven point favorites, and that sounds about right.