Wilson and Winston Top AFC North QBs in Week 8

Ravens Fall After a Disappointment in Cleveland

From the jump, it was an underwhelming performance from the Ravens Sunday against the Browns. Baltimore just couldn’t seem to maintain consistency on offense and were unable to get a stop defensively. The Ravens have dominated the league due to their ability to be more than one-dimensional, operating through the air and on the ground. However, the Ravens just never got it going through the run game Sunday. Baltimore ran the ball just 20 times, their lowest total in a game this season, for only 124 total rushing yards. The passing game took their shots, but the results were far from what was needed, as Ravens receivers combined for three drops, tied for the most by any team in Week 8. The Browns pass coverage also played a large role in their lack of success.

Lamar Jackson feasted on zone coverage, converting 17 of his 27 passes for 226 yards and a TD. The Browns switched it up, throwing more man-heavy coverage Jackson’s way. The two-time MVP struggled, getting sacked three times while completing just 6-of-11 for 63 yards and a TD. On 15 dropbacks against man coverage, Jackson was pressured nine times including the three sacks for a 60% pressure rate, according to Next Gen Stats. It was the second second-highest number of pressures Jackson has received this season (18) behind only Week 5 in Cincinnati (19).

Lamar’s receivers also lacked an ability to get open against the Browns secondary. It was the team’s lowest target separation of the season (3.3 yards) as they struggled against both zone and man coverage. Despite the clear struggles from the receiver corps, the Ravens still elected to rely on the passing game over the dynamic one-two punch in the run game. The 124 yards on the ground Sunday was their lowest total of the season, as the offense just never seemingly showed a will to turn to the ground game. It was a performance filled with ups and downs for the Ravens on both sides of the ball.

After falling victim to the trap game in Cleveland, Jackson and company have a lot of work to do as they welcome the Broncos to town on Sunday.

A Look Around the AFC North

Jameis Winston taking charge of a 1-6 Browns team and upsetting the red-hot Ravens just seemed inevitable. The 10-year veteran took his first start under center since 2022 following the season-ending injury to starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. Entering Week 8, Cleveland ranked in the bottom five in every major offensive statistical category. The Ravens defense was no better, giving up the most passing yards per game in the NFL. Unfortunately for the Ravens, Winston and the offense found an unexpected spark, leading to an impressive game through the air for the 30-year-old quarterback. Winston was on one, completing 27 of 41 pass attempts for 334 yards, 3 TDs, and zero interceptions (thanks to Baltimore’s dropsies).

The Ravens’ lack of pressure allowed Jameis to stand clean in the pocket, and deliver the throws to what seemed to be consistently open receivers. According to Next Gen Stats, Winston was 23-for-32 for 257 yards and 2 TDs when throwing from a clean pocket. The Browns offense had no issues taking their shots downfield against the Ravens defense. Winston’s 9.6 air yards per completion was the team’s highest total since Joe Flacco in Week 16 of last season (9.6). Jameis also became the first Browns quarterback to throw for 300 yards, 3 TDs, and zero interceptions since Jacoby Brissett in Week 11 of 2022. It was a performance that seemed destined to happen, but can Winston maintain this level of play, and give Browns fans something to finally cheer about?

It’s hard to say what the true outlook should be for Cincinnati as the trade deadline quickly approaches. Their playoff prospects remains slim despite sitting just two spots out of the final wild card position. After picking up wins in three of their last four games, the Bengals were able to keep their playoff chances alive thanks in part to the strength of their schedule. The Bengals have picked up three wins this season against teams with a combined record of just 5-18. It’s a completely different story against teams sitting at .500 or better as Cincinnati is 0-4 and averaging 35.5 points against in such games. Sunday’s loss to the Eagles was more of the same play, getting blown out on their home field 37-17. Joe Burrow was alright to say the least, completing 70.3% of his passes for 234 yards and a touchdown. The Bengals quarterback however did throw an interception, his first since Week 5 and only his third of the season. For an offense that just hasn’t been able to click over the past few weeks, every turnover becomes costly. Cincinnati has little time to figure out the outcome of the rest of 2024. A loss against Vegas this coming Sunday could giveaway to a potential yard sale for some upcoming expiring contracts, as the Bengals could look to become sellers at the deadline.

Monday was Russell Wilson’s second appearance as the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh. With Baltimore suffering a loss on Sunday, the Steelers had an opportunity to regain the lead atop the AFC North. Wilson was efficient Monday night, shredding apart the Giants secondary through the air. Against man coverage, Wilson finished 7-for-8 for 152 YDS and a TD, his best performance against man coverage since leaving Seattle in 2022. The 35-year-old quarterback found ways to be effective in the deep passing game as well. Completing 75% of his attempts (3 of 4) Wilson was able to connect for 108 YDS and a TD on passes of 20 or more yards downfield. Pittsburgh’s receivers did a solid job getting open against the Giants, creating 3.5 YDS of separation well enough for a Top 20 finish amongst teams in Week 8. A lost fumble puts a damper on a respectable stat line for the Steelers quarterback, but a win gives Pittsburgh a one game lead ahead of the Ravens for the AFC North. It wasn’t pretty but then again, when is a Steelers win ever considered as such?

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