Welcome to the AFC North weekly predictions!
Each week, our AFC North feature writers will list their picks for that week and be forced to explain why they voted as they did. Keep in mind that these picks are for entertainment purposes only, and in no way should be used to influence gambling or illegal activity, unless you’re smart enough to recognize that we know more than you because we publish things.
In week ten, The AFC North writers had a solid 8-1 record from the three confirmed prognosticators, with yours truly making a move into second place with two straight undefeated weeks (after being mocked for most of the season, and rightly so).
As folks may have heard by now, the AFC North was front and center nationally last week and had the chance to gain street cred, be respectable, or get embarrassed. In my opinion they were more the former than latter as the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals were more than respectable as a whole, even if there were some headshaking plays that changed a potential three win week to just one. The Ravens offense came alive in the 2nd half to assist their consistently solid defense, the Steelers played in the game of the year so far despite the loss, and the Bengals had their game won if they could muster a single field goal in their final three drives.
Week 11 Games:
Sunday:
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-5) @ Cleveland Browns (0-10) 1:00 pm, CBS
Sunday:
Baltimore Ravens (5-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-1), 1:00 pm, CBS
Sunday:
Buffalo Bills (4-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-5-1) 1:00 pm, FOX
This week, the AFC North goes from three nationally televised contests to games swallowed up within the 1pm timeslot. This might be a good thing as the biggest draw and AFC North game of the week seems to be Ravens/Cowboys, which can potentially be a good game but can also potentially be an embarrassing blowout.
Bills/Bengals is a game of survival. If there is such a thing as an elimination game in week 11, this might be the one. It would be difficult for the Bengals to climb out of a 3-6-1 hole, and a 4-6 Bills team would be near the bottom of a half dozen wild card hopefuls.
Finally, the Steelers head to Cleveland for a near must win as well. If the Steelers lose to the 0-10 Browns, it would be a tough recovery. Luckily for them (and the Bengals), the Ravens tough schedule down the stretch should keep hope flickering for both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati whether they win or lose this week. 7-9 or 8-8 might just win the division.
On to the predictions!
Michael Thompson’s picks (23-8-1, 3-0 last week):
Steelers @ Browns
Do not expect much drama as the angriest of Steelers teams over the last decade travels to pummel the most hapless of all the Browns. There was some speculation over the course of the week that the Browns might turn back to RGIII in a pointless attempt to snatch a late season win, to which I suppose I would ask, “What is the point?” At any rate, watching a preseason Super Bowl favorite continue to implode might garner a bit a mild interest, but this is not that game. As such, I direct your attention to 1981’s Inchon, which starred Laurence Olivier, giving it the distinction of being possibly the single worst movie to feature one of Hollywood’s royalty ever made. As an odd aside, the film was financed and produced by one of the higherups of the cult known as the Moonies. If you must watch the game, expect to see a beating of truly epic proportions.
Steelers 69, Browns 0
Ravens @ Cowboys
The Ravens fall to Earth as they travel to Big D. Most teams can hang with the Cowboys at least for awhile because the Cowboys’ defense isn’t that good. Unfortunately, the offensively challenged Ravens won’t be able to capitalize on that. Combine that with an overrated defense that has pumped up its reputation by beating down rather pathetic offense and you have a recipe for a long day for Ravens homers like Hensley who have convinced themselves that the team’s first place standing is a product of anything more than fortuitous scheduling and playing in a weak division. Nevertheless, if the Ravens do win this game, they will likely limp to a division win this year, as being 2 games over .500 seems like a feat no other team in the division seems capable of accomplishing. I suspect that will not happen though.
Ravens 16, Cowboys 27
Bills @ Bengals
The Bengals get a respite of sorts this week as they get to return home after a less than successful couple of away games against NFC East teams. They also get to face a Bills team that is mediocre at best. The Bengals will be desperate, because another loss will likely virtually eliminate them from serious playoff contention, unless no team in the division surpasses the .500 mark by the end of the year, which is a distinct possibility. At any rate, I expect the Bengals to be 4-5-1 by the end of the day and to keep their floundering playoff hopes alive.
Bills 17, Bengals 23
Jack Crawford’s picks (18-13-1, 2-1 last week):
Steelers @ Browns
If the Steelers have been reeling lately, the Browns have been floundering, having experienced almost every indignity that can befall a team. Guessing this one won’t feature much defense.
Steelers 37, Browns 20
Ravens @ Cowboys
The Ravens’ lack of scoring prowess comes back to bite them – again – in a close but tough loss in Dallas. This one WILL feature a bit of defense.
Ravens 24, Cowboys 28
Bills @ Bengals
The schizophrenic Bengals host the bipolar Bills, who have a habit of winning ugly – a perfect reflection of their coach.
Bills 27, Bengals 24
Paul Johansson’s picks (19-12-1, 3-0 last week):
Steelers @ Browns
The only hope the Browns have is if they play flawless football and the Steelers offense plays like their first half against the Ravens. There is one trend going in the Browns favor. They beat the Steelers in 2009, 2012, and 2014. They are overdue considering the years seem to be shrinking between wins. Am I right? Probably not. The Browns do have some talent but they can’t seem to put it together for more than a quarter or two.
Steelers 29, Browns 17
Ravens @ Cowboys
Maybe its the homer in me, or maybe I listen to too much homer sports radio, but the Ravens have a real shot in this game. The Cowboys #1 strength is their offensive line size and athleticism. The Ravens strength in 2016 is the size and athleticism of their defensive line. Two forces collide and the Ravens will give the Boys their biggest OL test of the year. Unfortunately the Ravens have a seemingly disinterested Joe Flacco this year, although he did show some flash in last week’s second half, and was called out yesterday by Ray Lewis, who might be trying to motivate the unmotivatable one (sure its a word). Its still not enough. Flacco mistakes and misses result in a Ravens a close loss, and if Jimmy Smith doesn’t play, it could be much worse.
Ravens 23, Cowboys 26
Bills @ Bengals
Speaking of motivators, the fireless redhead of the Bengals seems to be regressing this season, and the Bills seem to be picking up steam under their fiery head coach. Fortnately for the Bengals, they have more talent then the Bills and are playing at home, just enough of a separation to keep their kicker from having to win the game for them.
Bills 20, Bengals 27
Wernicke Korsakoff’s picks (16-12-1 after week 9, uncertain last week):
I too will have whatever Michael Thompson is having.
Steelers @ Browns
Do not expect much drama as the angriest of Steelers teams over the last decade travels to pummel the most hapless of all the Browns. There was some speculation over the course of the week that the Browns might turn back to RGIII in a pointless attempt to snatch a late season win, to which I suppose I would ask, “What is the point?” At any rate, watching a preseason Super Bowl favorite continue to implode might garner a bit a mild interest, but this is not that game. As such, I direct your attention to 1981’s Inchon, which starred Laurence Olivier, giving it the distinction of being possibly the single worst movie to feature one of Hollywood’s royalty ever made. As an odd aside, the film was financed and produced by one of the higherups of the cult known as the Moonies. If you must watch the game, expect to see a beating of truly epic proportions.
Steelers 69, Browns 0
Ravens @ Cowboys
The Ravens fall to Earth as they travel to Big D. Most teams can hang with the Cowboys at least for awhile because the Cowboys’ defense isn’t that good. Unfortunately, the offensively challenged Ravens won’t be able to capitalize on that. Combine that with an overrated defense that has pumped up its reputation by beating down rather pathetic offense and you have a recipe for a long day for Ravens homers like Hensley who have convinced themselves that the team’s first place standing is a product of anything more than fortuitous scheduling and playing in a weak division. Nevertheless, if the Ravens do win this game, they will likely limp to a division win this year, as being 2 games over .500 seems like a feat no other team in the division seems capable of accomplishing. I suspect that will not happen though.
Ravens 16, Cowboys 27
Bills @ Bengals
The Bengals get a respite of sorts this week as they get to return home after a less than successful couple of away games against NFC East teams. They also get to face a Bills team that is mediocre at best. The Bengals will be desperate, because another loss will likely virtually eliminate them from serious playoff contention, unless no team in the division surpasses the .500 mark by the end of the year, which is a distinct possibility. At any rate, I expect the Bengals to be 4-5-1 by the end of the day and to keep their floundering playoff hopes alive.
Bills 17, Bengals 23
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