AFC North Preview: Week 13

Cleveland Browns (8-3)

With a win against the Jaguars last week coupled with a Ravens’ loss, the Browns’ hold on second place in the AFC North grew a little tighter. Cleveland will face a tough AFC opponent this week as they travel to Tennessee to take on the 8-3 Titans in a game with playoff implications.

The Browns face the challenge of containing RB Derrick Henry, the league’s leading rusher. Cleveland will look to beat Tennessee at their own game this week, however, with the best run-blocking offensive line in the league and two of the best RBs behind it. QB Baker Mayfield has been relegated to more of a game manager role this season, which has been enough to win so far.

C Nick Harris and DT Vincent Taylor are listed as questionable for Sunday while CB Denzel Ward, WR Taywan Taylor, WR KhaDarel Hodge, and S Tedric Thompson have all been ruled out.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-8-1)

With rookie QB Joe Burrow done for the season, the Bengals have every reason to shift their focus to the offseason. Cincinnati travels to Miami to face the 7-4 Dolphins.

The Bengals announced that Burrow underwent successful surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Even though their season is clearly over, Cincinnati still has the opportunity to put a damper on Miami’s playoff chances this Sunday.

DTs Xavier Williams and Christian Covington, C B.J. Finney, LS Clark Harris, S Brandon Wilson, and WR Mike Thomas are all questionable while G Alex Redmond is out.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-0)

The Steelers remained undefeated by holding off the Ravens last Wednesday. Pittsburgh now faces Washington on a short week.

The Steelers suffered a big loss last week when OLB Bud Dupree went down with a torn ACL. Dupree was enjoying the best season of his career while playing under the franchise tag. Dupree and fellow OLB T.J. Watt formed the league’s most productive edge-rushing duo. Rookie Alex Highsmith is one of the players who will be expected to fill Dupree’s shoes as Pittsburgh gets ready for a run at a Super Bowl.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, CB Steven Nelson, and K Chris Boswell are listed as questionable for Monday. DE Stephon Tuitt has been ruled out.

Baltimore Ravens (6-5)

Baltimore enters Week 13 on a three-game losing streak. After being ravaged by a COVID-19 outbreak, the Ravens will be returning several important players this week as they prepare to face the Cowboys on Tuesday.

Several players remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list, however, including QB Lamar Jackson, FB Pat Ricard, WR Willie Snead, TE Mark Andrews, OT Will Holden, OLB Matthew Judon, DT Justin Madubuike, CB Terrell Bonds, S Geno Stone, and LS Morgan Cox. With an injury sidelining Robert Griffin III for the foreseeable future, Trace McSorley is in line to start at QB on Tuesday if Jackson is unable to play.

G D.J. Fluker, S DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark, CBs Jimmy Smith and Davontae Harris, DE Calais Campbell, DT Brandon Williams, and LBs Jaylon Ferguson and Kristian Welch are all listed as questionable. CB Tramon Williams and DT Broderick Washington are both doubtful.