Taking a look at what happened with the Browns foes around the AFC North in Week 2…
Baltimore Ravens
Last season’s AFC North champs have not rested on their 2018 accomplishment. The Ravens have rolled out to a 2-0 record after holding off the visiting Arizona Cardinals, 23-17.
It wasn’t nearly as dominating as their 59-10 pummeling of Miami in Week 1, but once again Lamar Jackson and his passing precision emerged as a positive storyline for Baltimore. Jackson completed 24 of his 37 pass attempts, producing 272 yards and 2 TDs. He connected on several deeper attempts and showed both anticipation and touch.
Oh yeah, he’s also among the NFL leaders in rushing after posting 120 yards on the ground. The Cardinals defense did a decent job in the red zone to limit the points, but the Baltimore offense looks really good thus far.
Kyler Murray and the Arizona offense did find some success. Baker Mayfield’s successor at Oklahoma was able to hit several throws on combination routes. Both Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald topped 100 receiving yards. They needed the aerial attack though; Arizona managed just 20 rushing yards on 11 carries.
The 2-0 Ravens travel to Kansas City in Week 3. It’s a major step up in degree of difficulty from playing two of the NFL’s worst teams.
Cincinnati Bengals
It was not the home opener Bengals fans wanted, certainly not after their impressive showing in the Week 1 close loss in Seattle. The San Francisco 49ers went into Paul Brown Stadium and blew the doors off the Bengals, 41-17.
Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers offense posted 572 total yards and punted just twice. A full 259 of those came on the ground, a stark contrast to the Bengals meager 25 rushing yards. A garbage-time 66-yard TD pass from Andy Dalton to John Ross fluffed the stats, but this game was never really in doubt after the 49ers pulled away from an early 7-7 tie.
Cincinnati falls to 0-2 and heads to 2-0 Buffalo in Week 3.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are one of the surprising (to many) 0-2 teams after losing at home to the Seattle Seahawks. Pittsburgh could not stop Seattle from running out the clock after cutting the lead to 28-26 with five minutes to go, and Russell Wilson ended the game in victory formation. A nullified defensive TD earlier in the game would have given the Steelers the win.
The loss was a costly one. QB Ben Roethlisberger left the game before halftime with an injury to his right elbow. Big Ben did not return. Mason Rudolph took over and did toss two TD passes, but he is not Roethlisberger.
There is no injury update as of yet. Pittsburgh is now 0-2 and heads west to San Francisco in Week 3.
