Four weeks into the NFL season, the AFC North is looking like it will be one of the most competitive divisions in the league. With the Ravens, Bengals, and Browns having three wins a piece and the Steelers likely to find a way to compete despite their slow start, December and January should host one of the best division races to date. But that’s still months away. For now, let’s take a look at each AFC North’s team’s highlights a quarter of the way through the 2021 season.
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Baltimore Ravens
Entering Week 5 the Ravens sit at 3-1. After falling to the Raiders in a hectic overtime matchup in Week 1, they bounced back, taking down the reigning AFC reigning champion Chiefs to even up their record entering Week 3. They then travelled to Detroit where it took a record-setting last-second field goal to defeat one of the NFL’s weakest rosters. In perhaps their most complete performance to date, Baltimore took down the Broncos this past week 23-7 to solidify a solid start to the season.
Most Impressive Performance: While I’m tempted to say Week 2’s triumph over Kansas City was the Ravens best performance to date, I have to go with last week’s game against the Broncos. The Ravens were dominant on both sides of the ball, putting up 406 total yards of offense and holding Denver to just 254 of their own. Despite ending their first few drives in punts, Baltimore took over in the second quarter, jumping out to a 17-7 lead at the break. Beating the Chiefs took a bit of luck, but taking down the previously undefeated Broncos was a show of true strength for the Ravens.
Most Valuable Player: Justin Tucker and Marquise Brown (despite his recent case of the drops) deserve honorable mentions for this award, but it has to go to Lamar Jackson. Jackson is in the midst of yet another impressive passing season as he is currently 12th in passing yards and 5th in yards per attempt among qualified players. Not to mention he is currently 9th in the league in rushing yards behind a less than stellar offensive line. It’s hard to imagine where this team would be without Lamar.
Most Valuable Rookie: This is the easiest award to give out: Odafe Oweh has been not just the Most Valuable Rookie on the team, but one of the best defensive players on the entire roster. Oweh finished his final season of college football without a sack, leaving many to question the Ravens selection of him in the first-round. He has wasted no time dispelling his critics, compiling two sacks and ten tackles in limited playing time. He is responsible for the Ravens’ biggest play of the season so far, forcing and recovering a fumble as the Chiefs attempted to mount a game-winning drive. It’s been an astounding start for the rookie out of Penn State.
Upcoming Schedule: Week 5 vs. Colts, Week 6 vs. Chargers, Week 7 vs. Bengals ,Week 8 Bye
Cleveland Browns
Similar to the Ravens, the Browns dropped their first game of the season (to Kansas City) before winning three straight to get to 3-1. In Weeks 2 and 3 , they found themselves up against inferior competition, easily taking down the Texans and Bears by double digits. In their most recent game they took down the Vikings 14-7 in the lowest scoring game of the NFL season thus far.
Most Impressive Performance: The Browns Week 3 victory against Chicago was undoubtedly their most impressive to date. In the first start of Justin Fields’ career the Bears offense found themselves completely outmatched, surrendering 9 sacks and putting up a pitiful 47 yards of total offense. Meanwhile the Browns offense found success in both the passing and rushing games, recording over 200 yards on the ground and through the air. The 26-6 win was a commanding victory for Cleveland.
Most Valuable Player: Myles Garrett deserves a mention for his league leading 6 sacks, but the Browns first-quarter MVP award goes to the combination of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The two have combined for 743 yards and 6 touchdowns through the first four games of the season. Chubb is second in the league in rushing yards with 362 while Hunt is the team’s leading receiver, catching 12 passes for 121 yards. Together they form the most formidable rushing attack in the NFL.
Most Valuable Rookie: While Greg Newsome II has impressed, I have to give this award to linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Despite playing in less than 50% of snaps, the Notre Dame product is tied for second on the team with 17 tackles. He has been equally strong in both the run and pass games, surrendering just one missed tackle and allowing a passer rating of 42.4. Draft analysts thought the Browns got a steal when Owusu-Koramoah fell to them in the second round and he has been proving them right so far.
Upcoming Schedule: Week 5 @ Chargers, Week 6 vs. Cardinals, Week 7 vs. Broncos, Week 8 vs. Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals
The surprise of the division, the Bengals have taken down the Vikings, Steelers, and Jaguars on route to a 3-1 start. Their lone loss came against the Chicago Bears in a performance that was reminiscent of the Bengals of the past. In Weeks 1 and 4, last second field goals bailed out less than stunning performances, but their Week 3 victory against the Steelers merits optimism from the fanbase.
Most Impressive Performance: The Week 3 win over Pittsburgh was by far the Bengals best showing. They held Mike Tomlin’s offense to just 10 points, forcing 2 turnovers and taking down Ben Roethlisberger four times. Both Joe’s enjoyed productive games on offense as Mixon rushed for 90 yards while Burrow averaged almost 10 yards per attempt to go along with his three touchdown passes. It was Cincinnati’s second consecutive win against Pittsburgh, who has historically dominated the rivalry, suggesting that a changing of the guard may be occurring in the division.
Most Valuable Player: For my surprise pick I’ll go with second-year linebacker Logan Wilson as the Bengals MVP. After a disappointing rookie campaign, Wilson has been a star for the Bengals through four weeks. He is tied for second in the league in interceptions with 3 and is tied for ninth in tackles with 40. Wilson is quickly becoming the heart of an improving Bengals defense and has Pro-Bowl potential if he can continue to play at his current level.
Most Valuable Rookie: There were many questions about Ja’Marr Chase coming out of training camp but he has done nothing but impress since the start of the regular season. He has already tallied 297 yards and 4 touchdowns, leading a talented Bengals receiving core in both statistics. Despite concerns about his hands, he has managed just one drop in 25 targets. The connection that he and Joe Burrow developed at LSU is evident from Burrow’s 147.8 passer rating when targeting Chase. The two should be one of the league’s best duos for years to come.
Upcoming Schedule: Week 5 vs. Packers, Week 6 @ Lions, Week 7 @ Ravens, Week 8 @ Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
The lone underperforming AFC North team, the Steelers’ start has been the complete opposite of that of the the Browns and Ravens. A Week 1 win over the Bills raised expectations for Pittsburgh, but three straight losses to the Raiders, Bengals, and Packers have raised questions about how much Ben Roethlisberger has left in the tank. Already two games back in the division, it will be an uphill battle if Pittsburgh is to make the playoffs this year.
Most Impressive Performance: Unsurprisingly, the Steelers sole win was their best performance. Entering the game as touchdown underdogs, Pittsburgh rode a dominant defensive effort and a late blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown to a 23-16 victory. The offense didn’t produce too many strong drives, but a touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson and three field goals were enough to produce a win. Since that matchup the Bills and Steelers have gone in opposite directions but if the season ends poorly for Pittsburgh, fans can find solace in defeating one of the league’s best teams.
Most Valuable Player: Even though he has missed six quarters of football, T.J. Watt has been the Steelers MVP so far. In two and a half games he has totaled five sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovered. In a defense that is showing regression from years past he continues to wreak havoc for opposing offensive lines. When you consider that he didn’t participate in preseason or training camp his fast start is even more impressive. Watt has continued to prove that he is worth every bit of his $112 million contract extension.
Most Valuable Rookie: Najee Harris has been more than the best rookie for the Steelers. He has been their best offensive player. Despite running behind the worst offensive line in football he has already put together a highlight tape full of stiff arms and hurdles and according to Pro Football Focus, he leads the league with 27 forced missed tackles. His greatest impact has been in the passing game where he has caught 26 passes for 178 yards. Big Ben has become reliant (Steelers fans may argue too much so) on Harris out of the backfield and as he becomes more comfortable at the NFL level his production should continue to increase.
Upcoming Schedule: Week 5 vs. Broncos, Week 6 vs. Seahawks, Week 7 Bye, Week 8 @ Browns
The next quarter of the season is sure to yield plenty more highlights for each of the AFC North’s contenders. If the first quarter is any indication of what is to come, it should be an entertaining season for spectators of the Ravens or any of their division rivals.
Luke Rollfinke is a student at Vanderbilt where he is pursuing a career in sports journalism. A recent graduate from the Friends School of Baltimore, Luke has spent his entire childhood in Charm City and is a devoted Orioles fan. In the past, he has written for SB Nation and has worked closely with Ravens columnist John Eisenberg. From nights at Camden Yards to Sunday afternoons watching NFL Redzone, Luke eats, sleeps, and breathes sports. He is excited to bring his perspective to BSL.