First and 10: AFC North Looks Winnable after Week 1
The AFC North did not have the strongest first week of the 2021 NFL season.
While the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns faced significant challenges in road games against the consensus top two teams in the AFC in the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals faced lesser tests in the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.
The Steelers were the only ones to come away with a regulation win.
Cleveland gave up 23 points in the second half as the Chiefs raced away to a 33-29 win, Baltimore let the Raiders hang around too long, with Derek Carr leading a last-second scoring drive to tie the game and an absolutely bonkers overtime giving Jon Gruden’s team a win.’
The Bengals had a 10-point lead with 9 minutes to play and needed a fourth down conversation in overtime to beat the Vikings.
The Steelers certainly had struggles in Week 1 in Buffalo, particularly on offense. But so did everyone else. If there’s a big separation between the teams in the AFC North, the results on the field in Week 1 didn’t show it.
News and notes from around the Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football League.
STEELERS HEADLINES
? The Steelers’ comeback after being 10-0 at the half was only the second in NFL history. Cale Berger
? Cam Heyward and the Steelers led the NFL in QB pressures in Week 1. Berger
? In the Film Room with Miles Killebrew: How the Steelers pulled off a special teams TD. Nick Farabaugh
? James Harrison’s “A Football Life” documentary will air Sept. 24. Berger
? In the Film Room with Cam Sutton: Anatomy of Steelers’ big 4th down stop. Farabaugh
? Steelers rookie RB Najee Harris calls first game “learning experience.” Saunders
? The Steelers know they’ll need a better red-zone performance going forward. Saunders
VIDEO CONTENT FROM PITTSBURGH SPORTS LIVE
STEELERS HISTORY
? 2020 The Steelers shut down Saquon Barkley and beat the NY Giants, 26-16, beginning a franchise-best 11-game winning streak. Saunders
? 2019 James Washington and Diontae Johnson emerge as contenders for bigger roles Parker Hurley
? 1969 Former Steelers defensive lineman Ernie Stautner was inducted into the Pro Football Hal of Fame.
AROUND THE NETWORK
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Laying out the Pens lines without Crosby or Malkin
Pittsburgh Sports Now: Saunders: Win over Tennesee shows Narduzzi’s Value
WVU Sports Now: WVU Sports Hall of Fame will welcome 11 members from last year
Nittany Sports Now: Big-name recruits set to visit Saturday’s game against Auburn
Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Final: Pitt 1, Penn State 0
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Steven Brault is out for the season, Pirates claim pitcher on waivers.
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