Ravens move ahead while Bengals, Browns suffer another week of loss
In recent years, the AFC North has generally been hotly contested. That hasn’t been the case in 2017. The NFL regular season hasn’t been kind to the division and while the Baltimore Ravens were able to secure a win in Week 15, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns slid even further into the bottom of the league.
The Browns
There is almost nothing left to say about the Browns. They’ve won a single game so far in two seasons of play. If you scan the box score, you’d say that Cleveland did a nice job running the ball. They were able to put together 130 rushing yards against a tough Baltimore defense. But, when you realize that 108 of those yards were earned before halftime, you start to realize that Hue Jackson and the Browns are still disorganized and unable to create an effective game plan. Once again, DeShone Kizer was expected to carry the offense – disastrous idea, Hue.
These Twitter shares say pretty much everything that needs to be said. The Browns have no idea what they are doing.
That was smooth. pic.twitter.com/OnZkMTAWi2
— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) December 17, 2017
This looks like a JV HS football team sometimes. The opponent has things so easily sniffed out. pic.twitter.com/z9Lr2HB3yf
— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) December 18, 2017
The Ravens
Baltimore is in must-win mode, hoping they can earn a wild-card spot in the AFC playoffs. Their ugly 17-point win over the Browns didn’t really make a loud statement about being dominant over their next opponents – the Indianapolis Colts and Bengals. The Ravens still have unanswered questions on offense, especially with the seeming random accuracy Joe Flacco has shown. The Ravens’ pass defense, without Jimmy Smith, needs more strength and the front four aren’t mounting a consistent pass rush. This is a team that is unpredictable and has been all season. It’s not a good look with just two regular season games left to play.
Baltimore did what it needed to do on Sunday – win. They took advantage of the huge padding the Browns’ defensive backs offered. They utilized Benjamin Watson well; he caught four passes for 74 yards (and one for a 33-yard touchdown). They put together nice drives in response to the positive moments the Browns did have. Eric Weddle grabbed an interception. Brandon Williams got his first NFL touchdown (on a play that would have been a safety). Those were all positive moments. Whether this team can get to another level and be good enough to go head-to-head with teams that are sailing into the playoffs is up in the air, though. It could be a tough two weeks coming up.
When you want that 🍦🍦🍦@weddlesbeard pic.twitter.com/2Zn9IgZImw
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 17, 2017
First career TD for @BrandonW_66! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/B3J4Nceb9n
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 17, 2017
The Bengals
On offense, things couldn’t get much more dismal for Cincinnati. They were only able to create 42 yards of total offense (and a single first down) through the first half of their defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Their first and only third-down conversion happened in the third quarter. Quarterback Andy Dalton, who has had one of his worst seasons in his career, finished the day 11-of-22 for 113 yards, two interceptions (one that was a pick-six) and a passer rating of 27.3. The offensive line allowed Dalton to be sacked three times for a loss of 17 yards.
The truth is this: If the Vikings hadn’t taken their foot off the accelerator pedal, the score could have been a lot worse than the 34-7 blowout.
Defensively, the Bengals were not much better. They allowed Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to complete 20-of-23 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns (overall QB rating of 138.4). In three trips into the red zone on Sunday, the Bengals couldn’t get a stop and the results were three touchdowns. Their biggest defensive play may have been when Shawn Williams grabbed an interception against backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and logged the 12th Bengals takeaway of the season. Geno Atkins continues to be one of the best players in a Bengals uniform and recorded two sacks in the first quarter of the game, earning the highest Pro Football Focus grade on the Bengals roster in Sunday’s game.
Oh — and now Marvin Lewis is in the middle of rumors he’s leaving at the end of the season. We all felt he may do so before the season even started, so his denials and double-speak aren’t really fooling too many people. If the Bengals hire Hue Jackson, however, I may lose all faith that this team can do better next season.
When asked if he wants to be back in Cincinnati next year Marvin Lewis said “I’m gonna coach football”…then asked if he wants to coach football here he said “sure”. #Bengals
— aly cohen (@alyco32) December 18, 2017
#Browns Hue Jackson on Marvin Lewis saying reports were inaccurate that he's leaving: "I don't know. I don't spend my time concerning myself with the Bengals that way. I'm trying to make sure there's not a parade going on here pretty soon"
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) December 18, 2017
Cincinnati Bengals Christmas List
-A coach that can win 1 playoff game in 15 years
-A soul for Andy Dalton
-Whatever AJ Green wants to keep him from leaving
-Bail money for Vontaze Burfict
-Rain money for Pac-Man Jones
-A trade for AJ McCarron that will actually get completed— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) December 17, 2017
