Around The AFC North Week Seven
After the Cleveland Browns stunned the football world with a win over the San Francisco 49ers last week, now they head to Indianapolis for just the second time this season, looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in 2023 against the Colts.
With the exception of the Cincinnati Bengals, who are on a bye after digging themselves out of an 0-2 start to the season, the rest of the AFC North is in action in Week 7. Depending on how the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens fair in their respective matchups, there's a possibility the day ends with Cleveland in first place in the division.
Detroit Lions (5-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (4-2) - 1 p.m., Sunday
After losses by the Eagles and 49ers last week, some are calling the Lions the best team in the NFL. Baltimore welcomes them to M&T Bank Stadium for Week 7, looking to stay atop the AFC North.
It feels like Baltimore is still waiting for their offense to take that next leap. Last week, across the pond in London, the Ravens took some time to finally pull away from the Tennessee Titans. Maybe that can be chalked up to the extraordinarily long trip. Or maybe Lamar Jackson and this revamped passing offense are still figuring some things out.
The Lions are one of just four teams who rank in the top 10 in scoring offense and defense, so this game may could be an interesting measuring stick for a team looking to find it's identity.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-3) - 4:05 p.m., Sunday
With Pittsburgh, it always feels like everyone is just waiting for the other shoe to drop. The "fire Matt Canada" chants have made their way to Pittsburgh Penguins games. The offense has scored a mere five offensive touchdowns so far this season. And there's no way they can possibly keep winning these ugly games on the back of their defense, right? RIGHT?
The Steelers do get wide receiver Diontae Johnson back this week, so maybe that will do the trick. Also, Mike Tomlin is 12-4 coming off a bye and his last post-bye loss came in 2016. That streak is on the line against a Rams squad that is better than expected this season.
