AFC North Week 16 Breakdown: Steelers Surge, Ravens Reeling, Bengals Bounce Back, Browns Spiral
Week 16 in the AFC North delivered a mix of dominance, desperation, and disappointment. The Pittsburgh Steelers took a commanding step toward the division crown, the Baltimore Ravens saw their playoff hopes all but vanish, the Cincinnati Bengals rediscovered their offensive rhythm, and the Cleveland Browns continued a tough late-season slide. Let’s break down what went right, what went wrong, and what it all means heading into the final two weeks of the 2025 regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6): Rodgers Steady, Defense Stifling, Division Within Reach
The Steelers keep finding ways to win, and with a 29-24 victory over the Detroit Lions, they now hold a two-game lead atop the AFC North. That puts Pittsburgh in the driver’s seat for the division title, and with just two games left, it would take a collapse for them to miss out.
Mike Tomlin continues to defy the odds. With Sunday’s win, he secured his 19th consecutive winning season-an incredible streak of consistency, especially considering the quarterback carousel the team’s endured between Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement and the arrival of Aaron Rodgers. And while fans are still waiting for that elusive playoff win (the last came in 2017), Rodgers may be the piece that finally pushes Tomlin’s group over the hump.
Rodgers, at 42, looked sharp and composed under the lights. He finished 27-of-41 for 266 yards, a touchdown, and, crucially, no turnovers. He played within himself and let the ground game do the heavy lifting.
That ground game? Jaylen Warren was electric.
The second-year back exploded for 143 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries, slicing through Detroit’s defense with ease. Kenneth Gainwell chipped in as a dynamic receiving threat, leading the team with 78 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches.
Defensively, Pittsburgh made a statement. Detroit’s vaunted two-headed backfield of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery was completely neutralized-just 16 combined rushing yards and no scores between them. That kind of run defense is playoff-caliber.
The game wasn’t without drama. D.K.
Metcalf was ejected after a physical altercation with a fan in the stands-a moment that will have major financial and contractual consequences. He’s now suspended for the final two games of the regular season, losing over half a million in salary and voiding $45 million in future guarantees.
It’s a stunning turn for a player who’s been a key part of the offense.
Baltimore Ravens (7-8): Injuries, Missed Opportunities, and a Playoff Picture That’s Fading Fast
Baltimore’s Sunday Night Football clash with the Patriots started with promise but ended in heartbreak. The 28-24 loss didn’t just sting-it put their playoff hopes on life support. At 7-8, the Ravens now need to win out and get help, including a Pittsburgh loss in Week 17, to have any shot at the postseason.
It all started to unravel early. Derrick Henry coughed up the ball on the Ravens’ second offensive possession, killing early momentum.
Then came the moment that changed the game-Lamar Jackson took a knee to the back at the end of a run and didn’t return. Up to that point, Jackson was efficient, going 7-of-10 for 101 yards.
Tyler Huntley came in and was solid in relief, finishing 9-of-10 for 65 yards, but the offense never quite looked the same.
Despite the early fumble, Henry bounced back in a big way. He ran with power and purpose, piling up 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
But after his second score put Baltimore up 24-13 with just under 13 minutes left, he was curiously absent from the offense. That decision-whether by John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Todd Monken, or both-is drawing serious scrutiny.
Zay Flowers was a bright spot, showing off his versatility with seven catches for 84 yards and an 18-yard rushing touchdown. But his late-game fumble proved costly, capping off a night of missed opportunities for the Ravens.
Defensively, Baltimore couldn’t slow down rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Outside of an early interception by Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens struggled to generate pressure, and Maye made them pay.
Stefon Diggs had a field day, torching the secondary for nine catches and 138 yards. The Ravens’ inability to get off the field late sealed their fate.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-10): Burrow Bounces Back in a Big Way
After getting shut out in Week 15, the Bengals came out swinging-and didn’t stop. Their 45-21 dismantling of the Dolphins was a reminder that when Joe Burrow is locked in, Cincinnati can still light up the scoreboard.
Burrow was nearly flawless. He completed 25-of-32 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns with no picks.
It was the kind of bounce-back performance that silenced any lingering doubts after last week’s dud. And as usual, Ja’Marr Chase was his go-to guy.
The two connected nine times for 109 yards on 11 targets, showing that their chemistry is still elite.
Tee Higgins returned from a concussion and made an immediate impact, catching three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, rookie Chase Brown continued to show promise as a dual-threat weapon.
He led the team in rushing with 66 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, and added 43 receiving yards with two more scores through the air. That’s a three-touchdown day for the rookie, who’s giving Bengals fans something to get excited about heading into 2026.
On the defensive side, the Bengals faced rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was making his first NFL start after Tua Tagovailoa was benched. Cincinnati’s defense took full advantage, picking off Ewers twice and keeping the Dolphins from ever finding a rhythm.
Cleveland Browns (3-12): Another Loss, Another Injury, Another Step Toward the Offseason
The Browns dropped their fourth straight on Sunday, falling 23-20 to the Buffalo Bills. It was another tough outing for a team that’s now clearly looking toward next year.
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a mixed day. He completed 20-of-29 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions.
He did lead the team in rushing with 49 yards on four scrambles, showing his athleticism, but the offense never found a consistent rhythm. Trayveon Williams led the receiving corps with just 38 yards, and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. hauled in Sanders’ lone touchdown pass.
The most devastating moment came in the second quarter. Promising rookie running back Quinshon Judkins went down with a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula on a pass play-his season is over.
The second-round pick had been a bright spot in a tough year, finishing with 827 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, and 171 receiving yards. He’s now facing a 4-6 month recovery.
Defensively, the Browns actually held up well against Josh Allen, limiting the reigning MVP to just 130 yards and no touchdowns on 19 attempts. But they had no answer for James Cook, who gashed them for 117 rushing yards and two scores. Myles Garrett did notch half a sack, putting him just one away from breaking the single-season record with two games to go.
What’s Next in the North?
With two weeks left, the AFC North picture is coming into focus. The Steelers are in control and could lock up the division soon.
The Ravens are clinging to fading playoff hopes and need help. The Bengals are building momentum for next season, while the Browns are hoping to end a rough year on a high note.
One thing’s for sure: this division never lacks drama, and the final two weeks are setting up to be must-watch football.