Browns Lose, Steelers Take 2nd Place in AFC North

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now in second place in the AFC North, thanks to a Denver Broncos’ 29-12 win over the Cleveland Browns at Mile High on Sunday. The Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 at Paycor Stadium during the 1 p.m time slot. Pittsburgh and Cleveland are both 7-4, but the Steelers hold the tiebreaker due to a better division record.

Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion after getting blasted by outside linebacker Baron Browning on a deep throw on third-and-12 near the end of the third quarter. Browning was called for roughing the passer on the play and the Browns were granted a first down.

Thompson-Robinson did not return. It was definitely the turning point of the game. Two plays later, Elijah Moore fumbled as he tried to reverse to Pierre Strong, and Broncos defensive lineman D.J. Jones recovered the loose ball at the Browns’ 20-yard line. Russell Wilson capitalized off the turnover with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman to increase Denver’s lead to 24-12.

P.J. Walker replaced Thompson-Robinson, completing 6 of 13 passes for 56 yards. Veteran Joe Flacco was signed to the practice squad earlier this week and was not elevated to the 53-man roster. Thompson-Robinson completed 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 134 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 73.1. So even if Thompson-Robinson is cleared to play, the Browns might want to go with the 38-year-old Flacco for next Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Browns missed out on a chance to match their best start since 1999 and they lost several starters to injury in the process. Including Thompson-Robinson, star defensive end Myles Garrett (left shoulder), wide receiver Amari Cooper (rib) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (ankle) all suffered injuries in the game. The Browns were already without cornerback Denzel Ward, who was inactive with a shoulder injury.

Russell Wilson compiled two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) and Denver’s defense produced three takeaways and a safety to power Denver to its fifth consecutive win. The Broncos (6-5) are in ninth place in the AFC. The Browns hold the sixth slot in the current AFC playoff picture, while the Steelers are the fifth seed.

The Browns will face the Rams at 4:25 p.m. in Los Angeles next Sunday. They will spend the week in Los Angeles, practicing at UCLA, where Thompson-Robinson played in college. The Steelers will host the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m next Sunday, while the Cincinnati Bengals will meet the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Monday Night Football. The Baltimore Ravens have a bye in Week 13.

AFC NORTH STANDINGS