AFC North Recap: Week 2

Cleveland Browns (1-1)

The Browns rebounded after a close loss to the Chiefs in Week 1 with a 31-21 win over the Texans this week. Starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor left the game early with a hamstring injury, but Houston was able to keep the contest close for much of the day.

Cleveland suffered a scare in the first half when quarterback Baker Mayfield left the game with a shoulder injury sustained on a tackle during an interception return. The organization had a sigh of relief, however, when Mayfield returned from the locker room to finish the game. Aside from the interception, Mayfield was once again efficient this week in the passing game, completing 19 of 21 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown.

The offense did suffer another loss, though, as wide receiver Jarvis Landry left the game with a knee injury. Landry has since been placed on injured reserve. The Browns are hopeful that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is close to making his season debut.

2020 second-round pick safety Grant Delpit flashed in his long-awaited NFL debut, making the only sack on defense for the day.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)

After starting the season off on the right foot with an overtime victory in Week 1, the Bengals suffered a 20-17 loss to the Bears in Week 2.

Quarterback Andy Dalton faced his old team for the first time since being released following the 2019 season, although he left the game early with a non-contact knee injury. Rookie first-round pick Justin Fields took his place at quarterback for Chicago. An interception from the rookie allowed Cincinnati to close the gap to just a three-point deficit after falling into a hole.

On the heels of a solid Week 1 performance, quarterback Joe Burrow had a game he will like to forget against the Bears. During the fourth quarter, Burrow threw three consecutive interceptions — the first resulting in a pick-six.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)

The Steelers opened the season with an upset victory over the Bills in Week 1. They fell victim to a 27-17 upset loss at the hand of the Raiders in Week 2. Pittsburgh heads into Week 3 now with several new injuries sustained on Sunday.

The Steelers lost defensive tackle Tyson Alualu for the season after he suffered a broken ankle in Sunday’s game. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt suffered a groin injury as well on Sunday and had to leave the game, while wide receiver Diontae Johnson injured his knee on the final play of the game.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin has since revealed that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a pectoral injury on Sunday and that outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was also dealing with a groin injury.

Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

The Ravens shocked the world on Sunday night, defeating the Chiefs by a score of 36-35. Baltimore snapped a three-year losing streak to Kansas City despite being ravaged by injuries in recent weeks.

The game started as poorly as it possibly could as quarterback Lamar Jackson threw a pick-six to safety Tyrann Mathieu on the opening drive of the game. Jackson threw another interception to Mathieu later in the game. From that moment, however, Jackson took over the game and put the team on his back — overcoming an 11-point deficit at one point. The Ravens dominated the Chiefs on the ground, as they rushed for 251 yards.

Baltimore’s defense was unable to stop Kansas City’s high-powered offense for much of the game, but the unit made key plays when it mattered most. Rookie first-round pick Odafe Oweh had a hand in causing two turnovers, including a forced fumble on and recovery against running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the Chiefs’ final possession of the game.