They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Behind Enemy Lines brings you your weekly recap of the rest of the AFC North, as the Ravens strive to be back on top of the division.
Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 5-7-1
Result: W 23-10 @ Cleveland
Offensive Recap:
There is nothing like a little Cleveland Browns action to boost an offense’s confidence. It was a solid game from all parties. Andy Dalton completed 20/28 for 180 yards, two TD and no turnovers. Jeremy Hill churned for 111 yards and a score and Tyler Boyd contributed 49 receiving yards to go with 40 rushing yards (including a nice 39 yard gain).
The offensive line continues to be a problem though. Dalton was sacked four times by a team that does not get to the QB very often. That has been a weakness all year.
Tyler Eifert had a great game scoring on both of Dalton’s TD passes.
Defensive Recap:
There is nothing like a little Cleveland Browns action to boost the defense’s confidence (yes, repetitive, but could it be more true?) The Bengals defense was very solid with the exception of stopping Isaiah Crowell.
The return of RGIII did little to intimidate the Bengals. He was sacked three times and picked off once.
Of note, the front seven of the Bengals had a very good game. This group is impressive on paper, but have been underwhelming all season.
Key Performer:
Tyler Eifert – 5 catches, 48 yards, 2 TD – Cleveland, of course, had no answer for the big target.
Look forward to Week 15:
With two consecutive wins, the Bengals look to end the season strong as they host the Steelers on Sunday. Ravens fans may have to break out their orange and black for that one…
Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 8-5
Result: W 27-20 @ Buffalo Bills
Offensive Recap:
Very few offenses can have their QB throw three INT and still come out on top. Ben Roethlisberger was horrible in the snow. He completed just 17 of 31 passes for 220 yards.
However, when you have Le’Veon Bell I guess it doesn’t really matter what you do. Bell set the Pittsburgh Steelers single-game rushing record by rumbling for 236 yards. The record was previously held by Willie Parker. He also added three rushing TD and four catches for 62 yards. That adds up to almost 50 fantasy points…. Insane.
Bell’s heroics were enough to outmatch the Bills as they didn’t have an answer for his patience behind the Steelers OL.
Defensive Recap:
The Steelers did well to take LeSean McCoy out of the game early. He finished with just 12 carries for 27 yards, but did add a score. In a snow bowl, the running game needs to be effective. Once that was shut down, Buffalo was forced to the air.
Tyrod Taylor did not do well. He completed 15/25 passes for 228 yards, two TD and one INT. However, drives were just not sustained and it would have been ideal if he could have been more effective on the ground (only three rushes for two yards).
Key Performer:
Le’Veon Bell – 38 carries, 236 yards, 3 TD and 4 receptions for 62 yards. Like I said … insane.
Look Forward to Week 15:
The Steelers face the Bengals on Sunday in a crucial game. Baltimore will host Philadelphia and look to make up the game that Pittsburgh has on them. This will be a good game. Go Bengals Go!
Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-13
Result: L 10-23 vs. Cincinnati
Offensive Recap:
I am beginning to run out of anything to say about this abysmal team. Robert Griffin III returned and though he didn’t do much in the passing game, he did add a touchdown on the ground, so there’s that!
Isaiah Crowell finally found some space gaining 113 yards on just 10 carries including a 42-yard rumble.
Terrelle Pryor Sr. has turned himself into the premier pass-catcher on this team, but was held to just one catch for three yards and apparently needs to quit trash-talking his opponents, according to head coach Hue Jackson.
Now I don’t know about anyone else, but calling out your best offensive player when you’re 0-13 just seems unnecessary to me.
Defensive Recap:
On a positive note, the Browns held their opponents to the lowest points allowed all season! The negative? It was still 23 points.
One glimmer of hope on this Browns defense is Emmanuel Ogbah who found Dalton for 1.5 sacks. He’s looking very solid as a rookie pass rusher. Jamie Collins was all over the field. If the Browns can find a way to sign him they will have a couple solid young guys in Ogbah and Collins moving forward.
Key Performer:
No one – maybe next week.
Look forward to Week 15:
The Browns travel to Buffalo for a matchup with Rex Ryan. I’m going out on a limb and calling a Browns win. They will take this one 28-27 and Rex will be canned in the offseason. Boom, it’s happening.
