August 23, 2012;Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain (53) celebrates during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M

The Baltimore Ravens are in the midst of a three-game losing streak that has seen them go from having one of the AFC’s best records and a shot at earning a first-round bye in the postseason, to now having to fight for their lives just to win their own division. Now comes word that starting middle linebacker Jameel McClain will miss the remainder of the season with a spinal contusion. McClain suffered the injury during the Ravens’ 31-28 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins.

Runningback Rashard Mendenhall returned to the Steelers today following his one-game team-imposed suspension due to ”conduct detrimental to the team.” Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman have struggled in his absence, and Mendenhall may get a chance to redeem himself in their AFC north showdown this week with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Browns fans have never been accused of being friendly to opposing fanbases, and Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins didn’t exactly help their cause. Redskins linebacker London Fletcher’s family was reportedly involved in a police incident at Browns Stadium that saw three people arrested, and one person sent to the hospital. It was apparently three of Fletcher’s family members who were arrested, and his aunt suffered a heart-attack and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Fletcher had so many family members at the game because he is a Cleveland native and played high school football there.

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October 7, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) carries the ball against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers have suspended RB Rashard Mendenhall one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Mendenhall was the Steelers’ leading rusher the previous three seasons but has played in just four games this year because of injuries. He missed the s first three games of the season with a knee injury, and also been sidelined with an Achilles injury, has rushed for only 113 yards this season. Mendenhall is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season when his rookie contract expires, but the market is unlikely to be high for an injury plagued back with character issues.

The Ravens are in the midst of a two-game losing streak, and it could go longer since they play the Denver Broncos on Sunday, followed by a matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Now comes word that reserve CB Asa Jackson has been suspended four games without pay  by the NFL for violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy. Jackson will be eligible to return to the active roster on the day following the team’s first playoff game.

At 5-8, the Cleveland Browns still have a very slim chance of making it into the playoffs for the first time since 2002, but to keep those dreams alive, they’ll have to score a huge upset this week, as the red-hot Redskins are riding a four-game winning streak as they too are in the midst of a playoff chase.

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October 28, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer (27) runs with the ball against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

As the NFL trading deadline drew to a close yesterday, no team from the AFC North chose to get in on the action and make a deadline deal. The Bengals are notorious for being reluctant to make trades as Mike Brown loves his draft picks, since those are cheap, rookie contracts that keep players in Cincinnati for at least four seasons. The Browns are in the midst of a front-office shakeup, making it hard to make any kind of deal with no clear future as of now. The Steelers and Ravens believe they have enough talent on their rosters to win the AFC North and compete for a Super Bowl berth, and don’t need to make a trade.

Despite rushing for 229 yards and revitalizing the Steelers running game in the past two weeks, RB Jonathan Dwyer still believes Rashard Mendenhall should start when he’s fully recovered from his Achilles injury. Mendenhall isn’t expected to play this week, and isn’t expected to be back in Pittsburgh once he becomes a free agent this offseason.

If there’s one thing Browns rookie RB Trent Richardson has been consistently not good at, its his ability to pound out those critical yards in short-yardage situations. Richardson currently is 2-for-7 on third-and-1 attempts, the worst mark in the NFL. He’s attributed to having typical rookie happy-feet, and has a habit of not hitting the right spot in these short-yardage plays.

In light of Sunday’s Ravens @ Browns showdown, Baltimore may be without their best return-man and surprising offensive threat in receiver Jacoby Jones, who was limited in Thursday’s practice with a foot injury, and his status for Sunday is up in the air.

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