The Baltimore Ravens got Lamar Jackson back in Week 9, and they looked like the team everyone expected them to be. While the Ravens are only 3-5, there’s still time for them to catch the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. The Steelers are going through a little skid, losing their last two games. Also, they’re set to play the Indianapolis Colts, the best team in the league, Sunday. Considering the lead they once had in the division, analyst Evan Cohen thinks it would be embarrassing if the Steelers don’t finish in first place in the AFC North.
“Steelers lose, they go to 4-4,” Cohen said Friday on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike. “Choose your own adventure. You want to believe in the Ravens like I am right now? Okay, they’re a game back. You wanna bring up the Bengals? Game back. The Steelers, this would be inexcusable to lose this division when all three other teams have had revolving doors at the quarterback position.
“The Baltimore Ravens have already started three quarterbacks this year. The Cincinnati Bengals have already started three quarterbacks this year. The Cleveland Browns have already started two quarterbacks this year, and likely, at some point here, will start a third. You have Aaron Rodgers. You have Mike Tomlin. What a disgrace if this happens this way.”
Cohen is correct that the AFC North looked like the Steelers’ division to lose earlier in the season. The Bengals lost Joe Burrow in Week 2, and the Ravens stumbled out of the gate and were 1-5 at one point.
Meanwhile, the Steelers were 4-1, with Aaron Rodgers leading their best offense in years. Then, they dropped a winnable game against the Bengals in Week 7 and things have continued to go poorly for the Steelers. They got crushed by the Green Bay Packers in Week 8, dropping them to 4-3.
Now, the Ravens are right on the Steelers’ heels. This is similar to how the AFC North race went last year. While the Steelers led for most of the season, the Ravens seized the momentum down the stretch. The Steelers collapsed, opening the door for the Ravens to win the division.
History could repeat itself if the Steelers don’t find their footing. Luckily, there’s a lot of time remaining this season. Even if the Steelers lose this week, they could still win the AFC North. The Ravens struggled earlier this year when Jackson was healthy. Their defense has major question marks. The Steelers haven’t lost the division yet. Perhaps they’ll beat the Colts this week and tighten their grip on first place.
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