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Kevin Gorman's Who Runs the North?: Ravens clinch playoffs but division title still undecided | TribLIVE.com
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Kevin Gorman, Columnist

Kevin Gorman's Who Runs the North?: Ravens clinch playoffs but division title still undecided

Kevin Gorman
Kevin Gorman
2058575_web1_gtr-Steelers07-120219
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Browns running back Nick Chubb gains yardage against the Steelers in the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 01, 2019 at Heinz Field.

The Baltimore Ravens clinched a playoff berth but not the AFC North Division title, the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a 13th consecutive non-losing season but not a playoff berth and the Cleveland Browns kept their slim postseason hopes alive.

The Cincinnati Bengals?

Well, they have a 69.6% chance of having the top pick in the NFL Draft. Joe Burrow or Chase Young could be a nice consolation prize.

So, the North is not settled.

Not yet, anyway.

The Ravens can clinch the division by beating the New York Jets. They can clinch a first-round bye with the combination of a victory over the Jets on Thursday and losses by New England (at Cincinnati) and Kansas City (against Denver), neither of which they can count on.

The Steelers have a 69% chance of making the playoffs, which is better than the Browns (4%). But the Steelers also have a slight shot of winning the division, only if they would win their final three games and the Ravens would have to lose all three.

Fat chance, right?

More likely, a win over the Bills would move the Steelers into the fifth playoff spot and a wild-card game against the AFC South champion, either Houston or Tennessee. That sure beats the alternative, a wild-card game at Kansas City.

The Browns need to win their last three to make the playoffs. They have games at Arizona, at home against Baltimore and at Cincinnati. And we should remind you that the Browns beat the Ravens, 40-25, in Baltimore in Week 4.

But here’s the catch: If the Browns pull off that feat and the Steelers lose two of their next three, both will finish 9-7. And the Browns would own the tiebreaker, thanks to a better division record. If Tennessee beats Houston for the AFC South — or loses its last three — the Browns own the tiebreaker there, as well, because of a better conference record.

As far-fetched as those scenarios sound, this is far from over.

But the Ravens still look like the best bet.

Baltimore Ravens

Result: Beat the Buffalo Bills, 24-17.

Highlights: Baltimore won its franchise-record ninth consecutive game, as Lamar Jackson completed 16 of 25 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns with an interception and rushed for 40 yards to reach 1,017 for the season. He’s only 23 yards shy of Michael Vick’s NFL single-season record rushing yards by a quarterback. That should be broken this week.

Lowlights: The Ravens compiled a season-low 257 yards, punting a season-high seven times, and tight end Mark Andrews left the game with a knee injury.

Next: The Ravens (11-2) play the New York Jets (5-8) at 8:20 p.m. Thursday.

Cincinnati Bengals

Result: Lost to the Cleveland Browns, 27-19.

Highlights: Joe Mixon rushed for a career-high 146 yards and a touchdown, as the Bengals outgained the Browns in every offensive category, including total yards (451-333).

Lowlights: The Bengals were stopped on a fourth-and-goal at the 4 when they called a draw by Andy Dalton. They also lost a Jessie Bates interception with 4:58 remaining when Browns coach Freddie Kitchens won a challenge and had it reversed.

Next: The Bengals (1-12) play host to the New England Patriots (10-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Cleveland Browns

Result: Beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-19.

Highlights: Baker Mayfield reached 3,000 yards passing for the second consecutive season, joining Brian Sipe and Bernie Kosar as the only Browns QBs to do that. Nick Chubb rushed for 99 of his 106 yards in the second half.

Lowlights: Odell Beckham Jr. made more negative headlines and the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver did little to refute reports that he needs surgery for a sports hernia or that he wants a trade in the offseason.

Next: The Browns (6-7) play at the Arizona Cardinals (3-9-1) at 4:05 p.m. Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Result: Beat the Arizona Cardinals, 23-16.

Highlights: Rookie receiver Diontae Johnson had six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown and scored on an 85-yard punt return. A week after beating Mayfield, undrafted rookie quarterback Devlin Hodges outdueled another No. 1 overall pick in Kyler Murray.

Lowlights: Already without running back James Conner and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Steelers lost another offensive starter in tight end Vance McDonald. McDonald left the game and is in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Next: The Steelers (8-5) play host to the Buffalo Bills (9-4) at 8:20 p.m. Sunday.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.

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Categories: Kevin Gorman Columns | Sports | Steelers/NFL
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