AFC North Week 7 Picks
Image from: News 5 Cleveland
Denver Broncos v. Cleveland Browns
The Denver Broncos are going to win. The Browns have way too many key players out for this Thursday night match-up. On Wednesday Cleveland announced that quarterback Baker Mayfield will not play due to a left shoulder injury he aggravated last week against the Cardinals. In Baker's absence backup quarterback Case Keenum will get the start. Keenum hasn't started a game since his magical 2017 season with the Minnesota Vikings. Browns will be depending on Keenum's arm Thursday sense both their workhorse running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will be out. I expect Myles Garret and company to keep this a low scoring, but the Broncos will escape Cleveland with a win.
Broncos win 24-17
Image from: Ebony Bird
Cincinnati Bengals v. Baltimore Ravens
I cannot say this enough the Bengals must win Sunday. A Ravens win on Sunday will impact the entire AFC North. Joe Burrow and company entering M&T Bank Stadium to play an energized Ravens team coming off a blowout 34-6 win over the Chargers. If the Bengals can escape Baltimore with a win the AFC North race will remain a race. I will expect the duo of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase to attack the Ravens secondary early and often. This match-up will be a high-scoring game determined by 7 or fewer points.
Bengals win 41-38
Image from: AP News
Steelers Bye Week
After beating Seattle in overtime last week, the Steelers have a bye. I am sure that everyone in Pittsburgh is going to be paying attention to the AFC North games this weekend. The Steelers are 3-3 and are now 3rd in the AFC North after the Browns lost to Arizona Sunday. The last time the Steelers were 3-3 after starting 1-3 was in 2002. They won four straight games finishing 10-5-1 and first in the AFC North. The Steeler's next game will be October 31 as they travel to Cleveland to play the Browns.
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