Kevin Gorman's Who runs the North?: Ravens say bye-bye to Steelers, Browns
If there were any questions about who runs the AFC North – and a certain someone suggested last week that it was Seattle – Lamar Jackson answered them with aplomb.
Jackson didn’t just run past the Seahawks, he helped the Baltimore Ravens say bye-bye to the division title hopes of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns during their off week.
Jackson rushed for 116 yards and passed for 143 yards in outdueling Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, but his big-play ability was more important than his numbers. Jackson had a 30-yard run on a third-and-8 from the Ravens’ 12.
"Hell yeah, Coach. Let's go for it!" @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/n7WMAQqoID
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 21, 2019
And John Harbaugh showed faith in the second-year star by going for it on fourth down, and Jackson rewarded that belief by scoring from 8 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
So much for a Ravens loss helping the Steelers close the gap on first place in the division. Instead, the Ravens increased their lead to three games before their bye.
Marcus Peters making his impact felt in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/gKrJOrepiv
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) October 20, 2019
Baltimore Ravens
Result: Beat the Seattle Seahawks, 30-16.
Highlights: The Ravens defense got a boost in the secondary from newly acquired cornerback Marcus Peters, who returned Russell Wilson’s first interception of the season 67 yards for a touchdown and 13-10 lead in the second quarter, and scored again on Marlon Humphrey’s 18-yard fumble return.
This is third straight game in which Ravens lost a defensive player for the season:
S Tony Jefferson
S DeShon Elliott
LB Pernell McPhee— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 21, 2019
Lowlights: The Ravens still rely too much on Justin Tucker field goals. Their first two drives ended with his chip shots from 25 and 28 yards, a sign that the offense was failing to score touchdowns in the red zone. The Ravens defense suffered another blow when it lost linebacker Pernell McPhee to a season-ending injury.
Next: The Ravens (5-2) have a bye this week, then will play host to the New England Patriots.
TURNOVER # 4️⃣#Jaguars SS @Rharr_15 makes a move in front of the receiver as #Bengals QB Andy Dalton throws. Great vision. Great instincts. Third straight drive the defense gets an interception.
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) October 21, 2019
Cincinnati Bengals
Result: Lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-17.
Highlights: The Bengals are 0-7 for the first time in 11 years, and first-year coach Zac Taylor is putting Cincinnati in position for the No. 1 overall pick with every defeat.
#Bengals have been out-rushed by opponents: 1,323-372.
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) October 20, 2019
Lowlights: Andy Dalton threw three interceptions, including one on a screen pass that Yannick Ngakoue returned 23 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals rushed for only 33 yards, all by Dalton, but allowed the Jaguars to gain 309 yards in the first half alone.
Next: The Bengals (0-7) play the Los Angeles Rams (4-3) on Sunday in London.
Kareem Hunt has been cleared to practice with the team
Details » https://t.co/EHUMu5VQCM pic.twitter.com/03EutEP8p1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 21, 2019
Cleveland Browns
Result: Bye.
Highlights: The Browns added future draft capital when they received an undisclosed pick in the 2021 NFL Draft from the Rams in return for offensive lineman Austin Corbett.
A “fan” hopped out his car to take a picture with me and then punched me in my face. Hm, put your legs into it might have actually made me flinch. ??
— Myles "Flash" Garrett ⚡️ (@MylesLGarrett) October 16, 2019
Lowlights: The Browns traded Corbett, the No. 33 overall pick in 2018, despite an offensive line that has allowed Baker Mayfield to be sacked 16 times through the first six games.
Next: The Browns (2-4) play at the New England Patriots (7-0) on Sunday.
Monday Night's game vs. the Dolphins means it's Color Rush time for the #Steelers! #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/BzoSggCY1b
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) October 21, 2019
Pittsburgh Steelers
Result: Bye.
Highlights: The week off allowed a half-dozen players an extra week to recover from injuries, including quarterback Mason Rudolph, fullback Roosevelt Nix, receiver James Washington, cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steve Nelson and linebacker Mark Barron.
When you’re a Steelers fan in Indy, you do what a Steelers fan in Indy should do.
Even if your team isn’t playing.
In that game.
In that city.
Or anywhere at all that week. pic.twitter.com/kwLAn9obWU
— Chris Mack (@THEChrisMack) October 20, 2019
Lowlights: Outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo was arrested and charged with misdemeanor simple assault and criminal mischief and summary harassment after an incident with his girlfriend early Sunday at Nemacolin Woodlands.
Next: The Steelers (2-4) play host to the Miami Dolphins (0-6) on Monday Night Football.
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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