The four teams of the AFC North came together for a Saturday doubleheader in Week 18. The result was a division title for the Baltimore Ravens and another day of hope for the Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens captured the divisional crown with an undramatic 35-10 victory against the Cleveland Browns, who started Bailey Zappe at quarterback, swapped in Dorian Thompson-Robinson after a pick 6, then brought Zappe back in. With the Cleveland offense struggling, the Ravens were up multiple scores the entire second half.
Baltimore is now locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AFC side of the playoffs, behind the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs and No. 2 Buffalo Bills.
Lamar Jackson finished his season with 4,172 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns with some of the best pass efficiency numbers in NFL history, as well as 915 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. It was the most productive and efficient season of his career. Was it good enough for a third MVP award against a strong campaign by Bills quarterback Josh Allen?
On the Bengals' side, they faced a reeling Pittsburgh Steelers team that still had playoff seeding to play for, as a win would mean facing the Houston Texans rather than the Ravens, who beat them 34-17 at home just two weeks ago. Now, the Steelers need a Chargers loss to finish as the No. 5 seed in the AFC.
The game pitted a team on a four-game winning streak against one with a three-game losing streak. Both teams continued those streaks, and that gives them very different feelings entering the playoffs.
Here's how it all went down on Yahoo Sports:
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Ian Casselberry
Steelers going into the playoffs chilly
With the 19-17 loss, the Steelers are the third team in NFL history to enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. The last team to enter the playoffs on such a streak were the 1999 Detroit Lions.
That 1999 Lions team lost its final five regular season games to finish 8–8. In the playoffs, Detroit lost to Washington in the wild-card round, 27–13.
Ian Casselberry
Final stats
Bengals
Total offense: 314 yards Joe Burrow: 37/46, 277 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Khalil Herbert: 20 carries, 69 yards Ja'Marr Chase: 10 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD Mike Gesicki: 8 catches, 68 yards
Steelers
Total offense: 193 yards Russell Wilson: 17/31, 148 yards, 1 TD Najee Harris: 12 carries, 36 yards Pat Freiermuth: 8 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD
Ian Casselberry
FINAL: Bengals 19, Steelers 17
Pittsburgh has to use its third timeout after Russell Wilson is sacked with 20 seconds remaining.
He then throws two consecutive incompletions on 3rd-and-12 to George Pickens and 4th-and-12 to Pat Freiermuth.
Cincinnati took over on downs and took a knee to run out the remaining 15 seconds.
Ian Casselberry
Another sack for Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson gets another sack, tackling Russell Wilson for a five-yard loss on 2nd-and-7 from the Pittsburgh 45.
Following Khalil Herbert getting tackled for a 4-yard loss, Joe Burrow throws an incomplete pass then connects with Mike Gesicki for an eight-yard gain. But Cincinnati can't get the first down and has to punt.
Ryan Rehkow kicks 47 yards and the Steelers will take over at their 11 after a three-yard return by Calvin Austin.
Ian Casselberry
Burrow to Gesicki for 14 yards
On 2nd-and-10 from the Cincinnati 41, Joe Burrow steps up in the pocket to avoid the rush and hits Mike Gesicki over the middle for a 14-yard gain.
Gesicki has seven receptions for 60 yards tonight.
Ian Casselberry
TOUCHDOWN: Bengals 19, Steelers 14
Pittsburgh drives 65 yards in nine plays, finished off with a 19-yard pass from Russell Wilson to Pat Freiermuth.
Wilson to Freiermuth for six! The @Steelers cut it to a one-score game.
On 3rd-and-goal from the Pittsburgh 5-yard line, Joe Burrow misses Mike Gesicki in the back of the end zone and the Bengals have to settle for a field goal.
Cade York makes a 23-yard kick to put Cincinnati up 19–7.
Ian Casselberry
Joe Burrow eludes the blitz
Joe Burrow eludes a six-man blitz by the Steelers and makes a toss to Tanner Hudson. Hudson turns the catch into an 11-yard gain.
Burrow stays calm and finds the open man for the first down.
Cincinnati has been emphasizing the run on this drive, perhaps making sure Joe Burrow is truly OK. But he looked fine hitting Ja'Marr Chase on a 15-yard out route.
Ian Casselberry
Joe Burrow back in
Russell Wilson misses on a throw to George Pickens on 3rd-and-8 from the Pittsburgh 44. Corliss Waitman kicks a 50-yard punt and Cincinnati gets the ball at its 13-yard line.
Joe Burrow is back on the field with the Bengals offense.
Ian Casselberry
Jake Browning warming up on sideline
This may just be precautionary while Joe Burrow gets examined, but backup QB Jake Browning is loosening up, according to reporters on the scene.
Bengals QB Jake Browning currently getting loose on the sideline with Joe Burrow currently being looked at in the blue tent.
