A highly anticipated AFC North showdown between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens steals the show this weekend, no doubt. That matchup pairs two of the best defenses in football against each other and has immediate implications on the outlook of the division.
While those two do battle on the Chesapeake bay, the other two rivals from the division play in important games of their own. The Cincinnati Bengals are red hot having won four straight games but head into a matchup with rookie phenom C.J. Stroud, battered and bruised in their own right. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers look to keep pace with the Ravens as they cross conference lines to host the Packers.
Green Bay Packers (3-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) - 1 p.m., Sunday
Pittsburgh continues to do what Pittsburgh does and win games ugly. They're the only team in the division to beat Baltimore to this point as well, despite their offensive deficiencies.
It's remarkable really, that they've been out-gained in every game this season and yet have scratched out a winning record on the season. This week, those offensive woes reached a tipping point for second-year wideout, George Pickens who took to social media to express his frustrations. If it were any other team, that stuff may be a distraction but Mike Tomlin has a way of keeping his team focused when stuff is swirling inside the locker room. He did manage the Antonio Brown situation for several years mind you.
With Green Bay coming to town this weekend with some quarterback questions of their own, they shouldn't pose much of a threat to the Steelers.
Houston Texans (4-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) - 1:00 p.m., Sunday
This matchup could be an epic one. On one side, there's C.J. Stroud, who is playing unbelievable football, setting records and raising the profile of a supposedly rebuilding team. On the other, Joe Burrow and the red hot Bengals, who haven't lost a game in over a month.
Under normal circumstances this game may have all the makings for a shootout but with Tee Higgins out and Ja'Marr Chase questionable, Cincinnati's offense is likely to be handicapped this week. This game may ride more on the Bengals defense than their offense, which is a respectful unit in its own right.
Even considering Stroud's play, the Texans are far from an elite team, plus, Burrow is Burrow. Cincinnati has pulled itself out of the basement of the division with four straight wins. If they want to stay in the thick of it, this is an AFC matchup they'll need.
More must-reads: