AFC North: Standings, Week 7 Game Recaps, and Upcoming Week 8 Matchups

October 23, 2023

Todd Hall

While we appreciate the entire NFL all we really care about is the AFC North! We provide AFC North NFL standings on a weekly basis, including all teams’ upcoming games for the week. This resource provides a clear overview of each team’s wins, losses, and ties, allowing you to track the division’s developments. Whether you’re a passionate fan or just curious about the AFC North’s progress, this source keeps you updated on the division’s dynamics and upcoming games.


Standings in the AFC North After 7 Weeks


AFC North Opponents Game Recaps From Week 7 and Up-Coming Week 8 and Week 9 Games


Cincinnati Bengals

Week 7 Game Recap: Bye Week

Bengals Opponent Week 8 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers

Upcoming Opponent Week 9:


Baltimore Ravens

Week 7 Game Recap: Beat Titans 24-16

Lamar Jackson delivers an MVP-caliber performance as the Ravens cruise past the Lions. Jackson showcased his exceptional skills right from the start, confounding the Lions’ defense with both his arm and legs. Early in the game, the quarterback made virtually no mistakes, orchestrating the Ravens to four consecutive touchdown drives, effectively blowing the game wide open before halftime. Jackson’s remarkable patience in the pocket, along with his ability to wait for open receivers rather than immediately taking off when facing pressure, elevates his already potent quarterback game to an extraordinarily dangerous level. The Ravens consistently produced big plays, particularly in the first half, where they accumulated nine plays of 20 yards or more, with Jackson connecting on seven of those completions. Furthermore, the Ravens kicked off the third quarter with an 80-yard catch-and-run by Gus Edwards, a play that was made possible by the Lions’ defense focusing on Jackson’s running threat. Jackson capitalized on this attention, extending plays in the pocket, finding openings to pick up first downs, and delivering exquisite throws while on the move. When Jackson plays as flawlessly as he did on Sunday, the Ravens are capable of dominating any opponent.

In contrast, Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense experienced a humbling performance on the road. Goff had his worst outing in over a year, struggling from the get-go against the relentless Ravens’ pass rush. Although the wind may have affected a few passes, Goff’s biggest issue was his inconsistent accuracy, with numerous off-target throws and ill-advised attempts into tight coverage. The Ravens’ linebackers squeezed the field, leaving Goff with few opportunities for his trademark wide-open over-the-middle passes. Detroit began the game with three consecutive three-and-outs, and by the time they managed their first down midway through the second quarter, they were already trailing 28-0, with a massive yardage deficit of 325 to 13. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs salvaged some pride for Detroit with a 21-yard rushing touchdown. The Lions must quickly move past this blowout defeat under Coach Dan Campbell’s guidance.

Baltimore’s dominance extended to the trenches, as they made a 5-1 team look like a 1-5 operation by outclassing Detroit in the front lines. The Ravens’ offensive line effectively neutralized Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions’ pass rush, creating running lanes for their backs and affording Jackson ample time to survey the field without being sacked. Jackson was not taken down and faced pressure on only nine of his 31 dropbacks, as indicated by Next Gen Stats. On the defensive side, the Ravens swarmed the Lions, congesting the running lanes and making life exceedingly difficult for Goff with an array of stunts and blitzes. Baltimore pressured Goff on 20 of his 57 dropbacks and recorded five sacks. When a team controls the line of scrimmage as masterfully as the Ravens did on Sunday, one can expect lopsided victories to ensue.

Ravens Opponent Week 8 Opponent: @Arizona Cardinals


Upcoming Opponent Week 9:


Week 7 Game Recap: Los Angeles Rams

Diontae Johnson’s return reinvigorates the Steelers’ offense. In the first half on Sunday, the Steelers struggled to put points on the board, managing only three points. However, they only had to cover a mere seven yards to reach the end zone in the third quarter, marking their first touchdown of the game. Clearly, this wasn’t sufficient, and for the first time since their desperate comeback win over Baltimore in Week 5, the Steelers found their offensive rhythm. Notably, Johnson’s comeback game played a pivotal role, with his 39-yard catch-and-run kickstarting a game-tying touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter. The emerging connection between Kenny Pickett and George Pickens, Jaylen Warren’s contributions, and Najee Harris’s strong running further bolstered the Steelers’ performance, making their offensive unit look promising. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada earned a reprieve from criticism after this explosive performance, but the challenge now is to sustain it.

On the flip side, Brett Maher appears to be facing issues once again. Maher had previously struggled with extra points in the last postseason, but he seemed to have resolved those problems. However, on Sunday, he encountered fresh challenges, missing a 53-yard field goal attempt, an extra point, and another field goal from 51 yards that appeared unlikely to succeed from the start. Those seven potential points could have made a significant difference in the 24-17 game. Maher did manage to connect on a 41-yard field goal in the second quarter, but inconsistency is a worrisome trait for a kicker. While the Rams fielded a makeshift backfield of Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson, who gained 127 yards, Maher’s struggles are not solely responsible for the outcome, but the kicker position is often the easiest to change when difficulties arise. Maher needs to swiftly overcome his recent setbacks.

This game showcased the Steelers we anticipated seeing in 2023. Their offense was lackluster until the second half, which only woke up after their strong defense forced a turnover through T.J. Watt’s interception of Matthew Stafford. This sudden shift in momentum led to a touchdown three plays later, allowing the Steelers to regain the lead. Subsequently, the Steelers’ possessions went as follows: punt, touchdown, touchdown, end of the game. The Steelers’ defense effectively shut down the Rams’ attempts to respond in the fourth quarter, marking the first time this season that the Steelers demonstrated genuine potential on both sides of the ball and secured a victory. If they can consistently maintain this level of performance, they will be a force to reckon with.

Pittsburgh Steelers Week 8 Opponent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars


Upcoming Opponent Week 9:


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