Week 2 Recap: AFC North
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cleveland Browns dropped a heartbreaker to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, as Steelers defensive end Alex Highsmith came off the edge with a strip sack, that T.J. Watt returned for six, to cap off their 26-22 victory. Pittsburgh improved to 1-1 after a blowout loss in week one and the Browns worsened to 1-1 after a blowout win against the Bengals, in week one.
Both quarterbacks turned the ball over in this one, but Browns QB Deshaun Watson led all players with three turnovers. Watson completed 22 of his 44 passing attempts for 235 yards, with both a touchdown and a pick. Watson also lost two fumbles, none more costly than the last one in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland running back Nick Chubb, suffered a season-ending injury in the second quarter of Monday night’s contest. Chubb tore multiple ligaments in his left knee and dislocated it as well.
Photo Credit: Matt Durisko, AP
Jerome Ford replaced Chubb in the second and he rushed for 106 yards on 16 attempts. The team also signed Kareem Hunt to backup Ford, following the Chubb injury on Wednesday, September 20.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett only completed 50% of his passes as he was 15-for-30 on the night, for 222 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Wide receiver George Pickens led all pass catchers with 127 yards on four catches and a 71-yard touchdown.
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-24, on Sunday. Baltimore improved to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in the division, meanwhile, the struggles continued for the Bengals as they fell to 0-2 overall and in the division.
Raven QB Lamar Jackson looked comfortable in this one as he completed 24 of his 33 passing attempts and totaled 291 yards from scrimmage. Jackson also added two touchdowns through the air, as well. WR Nelson Agholor was the leading receiver for the Ravens, as he caught five passes for 63 yards and took one of those for six.
Photo Credit: Michael Hickey, Getty Images
Even with the plethora of injuries to the Baltimore roster, they still managed to stay undefeated and win a close contest in Cincinnati. The next man up in the backfield was running back Gus Edwards. He led all rushers in this game with 62 yards on 10 attempts and he managed to hit paydirt as well.
The Bengals can’t seem to get their legs under them as they failed to get into the win column, Sunday afternoon. They got some help from their special teams, as Charlie Jones returned an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to prevail against Baltimore.
Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow, was 27-for-41, with 222 yards, a pair of touchdowns and one interception. WR Tee Higgins made the most out of his 12 targets after being held without a catch in week one. The 24-year-old caught eight balls for 89 yards and he scored twice in the contest.
