Around the AFC North: Post-Week 2 Notes

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) talk on the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In regards to the AFC North, Week 2 is in the books. Cincinnati still sits atop the division pecking order with a 2-0 record; Pittsburgh and Cleveland each stand at 1-1, while Baltimore will be trying to dig itself out of an early season 2-0 hole. Here are some links to news within the division after another week of football.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)

Cincinnati Bengals Beat San Diego Chargers 24-19 (Stripe Hype)

Bengals vs. Charges: Three Takeaways (Stripe Hype)

Bengals have No.1 Pro Football Focus offense and No. 6 defense (Cincy Jungle)

Film Room: Eifert rated No. 1 TE by Pro Football Focus (Cincy Jungle)

Gio Bernard’s performance sends Bengals’ message to Jeremy Hill (ESPN)

Playing role of ‘eraser,’ Bengals’ defense shows it can save offense (ESPN)

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)

Steelers explosive in win over 49ers: Instant reaction (Still Curtain)

Steelers: Defense makes statement in win over 49ers (Still Curtain)

Steelers vs. 49ers: 10 amazing stats from Sunday’s game (Behind the Steel Curtain)

Steelers vs. 49ers Week 2: Winners and Losers (Behind the Steel Curtain)

Steelers go for 2 and everything else, crush 49ers (ESPN)

Le’Veon Bell returning to a Steelers offense that’s already clicking (ESPN)

Cleveland Browns (1-1)

Cleveland Browns beat Tennessee Titans, 5 Takeaways (Dawg Pound Daily)

Browns run defense still a major liability (Dawg Pound Daily)

Titans-Browns Final Score: Cleveland Holds Off Titans 28-14 (Dawgs by Nature)

Titans vs. Browns: 7 Talking Points (Dawgs by Nature)

Johnny Manziel’s fast start, strong finish help Cleveland Browns win (ESPN)

Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns enjoy their fast start against Titans (ESPN)

Baltimore Ravens (0-1)

Ravens grades vs. Raiders, Week 2 (Ebony Bird)

Ravens: Does 0-2 signal a lost season in the NFL? (Ebony Bird)

Three people responsible for the loss (Baltimore Beatdown)

Ravens dig a hole which is hard to climb out of (Baltimore Beatdown)

Why Baltimore Ravens can’t afford first 0-3 start (ESPN)

Ravens’ Joe Flacco failing to finish in the fourth quarter (ESPN)

It’s still early in the season, so anything can happen. Here are a few of my quick observations:

More from Stripe Hype

-The Bengals and Steelers both have high-octane offenses that could easily finish in the top 5 by the end of the 2015 season; however, the Steelers’ offense isn’t miles ahead of the Bengals’ offense this season

-Cincinnati’s defense is much superior to Pittsburgh’s, which could end up helping the Bengals win more games–despite this, I don’t think Cincinnati has an answer for Antonio Brown or Le’Veon Bell

-I currently envision Cincinnati finishing with the better overall record, but Pittsburgh could easily sweep Cincy if the Bengals don’t do a good job game-planning

-Cleveland looked good enough on Sunday that I could see them stealing a game or two from Cincinnati and/or Pittsburgh; however, Cleveland doesn’t look good enough to seriously contend

-Baltimore is in a huge hole; with Terrell Suggs gone, it’s hard for me to envision more than seven wins for this team

-That’s right, I’m already counting the Ravens out of the playoff hunt–even before Suggs was hurt, I’ve been down on Baltimore, mainly due to their lack of receiving weapons and because the odds of Justin Forsett repeating his 2014 success are very low

-The AFC North won’t send three teams to the playoffs; the AFC East and AFC West are too talented for this division to dominate like it did in 2014

Thoughts? Hit me up on Twitter @CHoweSports and I’d be glad to talk football.

Next: Around the AFC North: Post-Week 1 Notes

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