AFC North Report: Division split as Ravens, Steelers hunt for playoffs while Bengals, Browns hunt for wins
Steel City Underground’s AFC North Report looks at the state of the division with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 of the 2019 NFL regular season.
The paths to the playoffs for Ravens, Steelers
As part of the AFC, only two teams from the AFC North realistically have a shot at making the playoffs following the 2019-20 NFL regular season: the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Ravens keep winning, the Steelers did stumble in their Week 15 matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field.
In the division, the Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West), Bills, and New England Patriots have guaranteed they’ll continue to play after Week 17 wraps up. Those four teams will simply be battling for the best seeding. Baltimore looks to take the AFC North championship and can ensure that the road to the Super Bowl runs through their city. If the Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, they will clinch a first-round bye and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
As for the Steelers, their trip into the playoffs becomes a little more complicated. They currently hold the sixth seed heading into Week 16.
From ESPN Stats and Info, here's what Pittsburgh needs to clinch the final AFC Wildcard spot:
1. Win last 2 games OR
2. Win 1 of last 2 games + TEN loss to HOU OR
3. Win 1 of last 2 games + IND wins last 3 games + HOU wins 1 of last 2 games + TEN loses… https://t.co/QZxSHzom3M— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 16, 2019
The easiest way in for Pittsburgh would be to simply win-out over the next two weeks. They face the New York Jet in Week 16 before finalizing the season with the Ravens in Week 17. After the Indianapolis Colts lost to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, 7-34, a three-win stretch by the Colts is already a non-factor. That leaves things up to how the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans do. If the Steelers were to hold on to the sixth seed, their projected team to play in the wild card game would be the Kansas City Chiefs per FanDuel.
After losing to the Bills, the Steelers now have a 45% chance to reach the playoffs, per FPI.
The SNF result was huge for the Titans. Tennessee had a 32% chance to reach the playoffs entering the Bills-Steelers game, but now has a 50% chance after the Bills won, per FPI. pic.twitter.com/q7LYHwL0QU
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 16, 2019
Browns, Bengals just looking to end season positively
At 6-8, the Browns have suddenly become less competitive and lost to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. In fact, there are some questions as to whether head coach Freddie Kitchens has much job security after his team entered the season after an offseason of hype and an assemblage of talent many felt would give them an edge. Although Browns management is reportedly standing behind Kitchens per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, a collapse in their final two weeks could shake up a lot of things in the Browns’ camp.
At 1-13, the Cincinnati Bengals did their best to mess up the playoff seeding for the Patriots in Week 15. Unfortunately, they could not hold on for a win. Part of that was due to Andy Dalton‘s four interceptions thrown. In all likelihood, Bengals fans are ready to start looking at the 2020 NFL Draft and offseason options. It’s been that kind of a season.
Going Bowling
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1207105227180171270
Your Ravens headed to the #ProBowl‼️
Our 12 players ties the most ever for one team when the rosters are first announced‼️ pic.twitter.com/tyZhiiY7ow
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 18, 2019
.@NickChubb21 is the first @Browns running back named to the Pro Bowl since Kevin Mack in 1988.
— Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) December 18, 2019
.@God_Son80 is the first @Browns wide receiver to be selected to the Pro Bowl in consecutive years since Paul Warfield in 1969-70.
— Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) December 18, 2019
#Bengals DT Geno Atkins has been named to his 8th Pro Bowl.
Joe Mixon is listed as fifth alternate at running back, and Brandon Wilson listed as second alternate for kick returners.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) December 18, 2019
