The teams in the AFC North endured an up and down week of football in week seven. The Pittsburgh Steelers finally got to unveil rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant but had to keep rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier on the shelf for another week due to injury. The Cincinnati Bengals were shut out by the Indianapolis Colts. Things didn’t get any better as the Cleveland Browns lost to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. The Baltimore Ravens have discovered a pass rush over the last few games and it has led to a few wins for them. Let’s take a look at the week eight sizzling story lines for the AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have put together a nice string of games in which their pass rush has had a heavy influence on the positive outcome. Elvis Dumervil has 3.5 sacks in the last two games. Pernell McPhee has three sacks in the last two games as well. As a unit, the Ravens have had at least five sacks in back to back games for the first time since 2006. The defense has 24 quarterback hits in last two games including 9 against Atlanta on Matt Ryan and 15 at against Tampa Bay on Mike Glennon.
Much of the success on defense is because of McPhee. He was able to generate momentum in training camp and it has carried over. He has four sacks on the year. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees will line McPhee up everywhere in the front seven. McPhee can rush the passer from many different angles. He seems to be most effective when rushing off the edge. His speed and size combination makes him a force to be reckoned with. Most linebackers are not 6-3, 280 pounds like McPhee. Some Steelers fans may be reminded of another over-sized linebacker when they see McPhee play. That linebacker would be none other than Levon Kirkland.
Dumervil is leading the Ravens in sacks with seven and is tied for second most in the NFL. He is well aware of the Ravens hot streak when it comes to rushing the passer. “The first couple weeks have been more a hit and kind of getting to the guy, and then obviously, sacks come in bunches. True sack artists know that. So, we just have to continue to be disruptive. And obviously, the guys in the back end helping us with coverage is definitely huge.”
This week, the Ravens will have to go against the Bengals in Cincinnati. The pass rush will need to get to Andy Dalton quickly. It is just too difficult to defend a quarterback like Dalton without the benefit of having some rushed throws.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals still have some things to be straightened out on the defensive side of the ball. Vontaze Burfict was limited in practice this week due to a neck injury that he sustained by using poor technique when he tackled Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Burfict led the NFL in tackles last year, so getting the ball carrier to the ground isn’t the problem. Doing it safely is where the issue lies. Burfict also suffered a concussion during the season opener against the Ravens due to not tackling with his head up.
The Bengals need Burfict in the huddle because he is the one that calls the plays and he is a play maker that will make have an impact even when the play is not coming towards his side. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther spoke about Burfict needing to adopt proper tackling techniques during a press conference on Wednesday.
“I tell him to keep his face up. I tell him he’s my quarterback. You tell your quarterback to slide and not get hit,” Guenther said. “I tell him to keep his head up so he can stay in the game because when he starts the game and comes out, it affects everything. It affects me, it affects the unit, it affects the linebacking crew. So yes, I’m trying to do the best I can with him. Sometimes it’s like telling a dog not to eat red meat, but he’s got to do it. He’s got to get it right. He can’t keep coming out of games. Like I told him: it’s ridiculous. When I’m counting on him to play, he’s got to keep his face up. It’s improving now.”
The Bengals will need Burfict in the game when they go against a surging Ravens offense that has put up 48 and 29 points in the last two games.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in what has been a developing pattern on the season. It seems like the Browns will win one game then lose the next. The team had gotten away from the running game a bit but will make a commitment to get it going again. Rookie running back Terrance West has seen his carries decrease after getting 19 carries in the second game of he season. Isaiah Crowell and Ben Tate had the bulk of the carries in the convincing 31-10 win over the Steelers but it was Tate and West who had the rushing attempts last week against the Jaguars.
As a unit, the Browns are sixth in the NFL averaging 133.5 yards per game. The team is built to have a power running game aspect to their offense. Getting the running game going opens up so much more for the Browns offense. It also makes some things a bit easier as defenses start to stack eight in the box, leaving wide receivers in one on one match ups. Play action is always an essential to teams that like to play smash mouth football.
Browns head coach Mike Petine has his formula for success on offense and shared it with the media on Wednesday. “We’re the type of offense that we can’t fall behind the sticks,” said Pettine. “We have to be efficient on early downs. When we were successful in moving the ball on offense in previous weeks it’s because we ran the ball well, which set up the play action, which got guys wide open downfield. Play pass isn’t as effective on second-and-10 when they know it’s coming.”
Next up for the Browns will be the winless Oakland Raiders. This game will give them the perfect opportunity to get the running game back on track. The Raiders are giving up 145.0 yards rushing per game. The Browns are likely to have all three of their running backs active on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The big story this week for the Steelers is the debut of rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Bryant only had two catches for 40 yards but it was his first catch that made the difference. The first reception as a pro by Bryant was a 35 yard touchdown. The Steelers are looking for someone to help draw attention away from standout receiver Antonio Brown.
Bryant is already having an impact. “I felt pretty good out there. It’s all about improving. As long as I keep on showing what I can do in practice, know my assignments and handle my business, I’ll be fine. As long as I continue to show the coaches and my teammates and Ben what I can do, I’ll be fine.”
Bryant is a legitimate deep threat because of his top end speed. The team is welcoming him back from injury because at 6-4, he can also be a red zone threat. Ben Roethlisberger is the kind of quarterback that will work to push the ball down field. Bryant is the kind of receiver that will go up and make the contested catch.
The Steelers will take on the Colts this week. The Colts have played both the Ravens and the Benglals very well and will be looking to sweep the division.
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