AFC North: Ravens Rout Browns, Bengals Blown Out By Titans

While the Pittsburgh Steelers got dismantled 30-6 by the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon. Elsewhere in AFC North action, the Baltimore Ravens routed the Cleveland Browns, 28-3, and the Cincinnati Bengals got crushed by the Tennessee Titans, 27-3. Baltimore leads the AFC North at 3-1 through four weeks, followed by the Steelers and Browns (both 2-2). The Bengals are in the basement of the division at 1-3.

Lamar Jackson ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more against Cleveland’s top-ranked defense in Baltimore’s win. The Browns, who were without quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder), were held to just 3 points and 166 yards of offense. Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled immensely, completing 19 of 36 passes (52.8%) for 121 yards with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 25.3. Brandon Stephens, Geno Stone and Kyle Hamilton recorded picks on Thompson-Robinson. The rookie out of UCLA was also sacked four times.

Jackson was highly efficient both on the ground and in the air, posting a superb quarterback rating of 142.5. His touchdown runs were from 10 and 2 yards out, while both his touchdown passes went to tight end Mark Andrews, a 7 and 18-yarder. The Ravens were 4 of 4 in the red zone.

Baltimore registered 131 yards on the ground against the Browns’ stout defense. Gus Edwards led the Ravens’ rushing attack with 48 yards on 15 carries. Along with two scores, Jackson had 27 yards rushing on nine carries.

The Titans scored 27 unanswered points and led 24-3 at halftime, cruising to a win over the Bengals, who have failed to live up to the preseason hype. All-Pro running back Derrick Henry rushed for a 29-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He then tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Josh Whyle on a jump pass from the wildcat just before halftime. Henry finished with 122 yards on 22 carries (5.5 average).

Joe Burrow, who’s been dealing with a lingering right calf injury, continues to struggle. He completed 20 of 30 passes (66.7%) for only 165 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 80.6. Ja’Marr Chase had seven catches for 73 yards. Chase expressed frustration after the game, stating “I’m open. I’m always f***ing open.”

The Bengals got out-gained 400-211. They were also a dreadful 2 of 9 on third down, while Tennessee converted 8 of 13 third downs. Cincinnati got out-possessed 34:45-25:15.

The Steelers host the Ravens next Sunday at 1 p.m., while the Bengals travel to Arizona for a meeting with the Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. The Browns have their bye in Week 5.