The Ravens had their bye in Week 7. Here's what happened around the rest of the AFC North following Thursday night’s shootout between the Bengals and Steelers:
Cleveland Browns: Rookie RB Quinshon Judkins Is Among League Leaders
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins missed all of training camp, but he's quickly made up for lost time this season.
Judkins scored three touchdowns in the Browns' 31-6 win over the Miami Dolphins Sunday.
The second-round pick out of Ohio State made his debut in Week 2 against the Ravens just three days after his first full NFL practice. Since then, he's become one of the league's rushing leaders.
He has the 10th-most rushing yards (467) and is tied with the third-most rushing touchdowns among running backs (five).
Judkins missed training camp due to a domestic violence arrest and subsequent legal issues. Chargers were ultimately dropped, though it's still possible that he faces discipline from the NFL.
For now, he's driving the offense alongside fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who was an efficient 13-of-18 for 116 yards passing, and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr,, who led the Browns with four catches for 36 yards.
Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger led the Browns in tackles and the defense got a pick-six from newly acquired cornerback Tyson Campbell.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr. Faces Scrutiny
The Steelers' 33-31 loss to the Bengals on "Thursday Night Football" has come with more criticism about the state of their defense, and third-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr. specifically.
Though Porter allowed four catches for only 37 yards on seven targets, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), he also had two defensive pass interference penalties. Being too grabby has been a recurring issue for Poter, who is the son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter.
"Same thing that he did when he was at Penn State. It has never really gotten better," senior Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan Morning Show. "He has all the talent in the world. He has the size, which you're absolutely in love with. He has the pedigree with his old man. But, man, he just can't keep his hands off the other receiver."
Bengals receivers Ja' Marr Chase (16 catches, 161 yards) and Tee Higgins (six catches, 96 yards) had their way with the Steelers' cornerbacks.
Veteran Steelers cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, who were both acquired this offseason, yielded a combined 11 catches on 18 targets for 142 yards and two touchdowns, per PFF.
Cincinnati Bengals: Will Joe Flacco Save the Season?
In 2023, Joe Flacco took over as the Browns' starting quarterback midway through the season and won four straight games down the stretch to lead them to the playoffs.
Now Flacco is trying to do the same in Cincinnati, where he got a hero's welcome after throwing three touchdowns and outdueling Aaron Rodgers in the Bengals' big Thursday night win.
Flacco mania has begun in Cincinnati, sparking hope that they could at least be in the playoff picture for Joe Burrow's possible return. Even if Burrow doesn't come back from his toe injury, could Flacco get them into the dance?
The Bengals are now 3-4 this season after snapping their four-game slide. Up next is the winless New York Jets, followed by the Bears, and then a rematch against the Steelers. The Bengals and Ravens will meet twice in three weeks on Thanksgiving night in Baltimore and then again on Dec. 14 in Cincinnati.
