A missed field goal was the difference between the AFC North and the AFC South. Since then, the division has seen massive changes as two of its head coaches have been relieved from their duties after the end of regular season.
A missed field goal was the difference between the AFC North and the AFC South. Since then, the division has seen massive changes as two of its head coaches have been relieved from their duties after the end of regular season.
After a 26-24 victory over the Ravens, the Steelers won the AFC North for the first since 2020.
After Chris Boswell’s extra-point was blocked during the previous drive, a missed kick by Baltimore rookie kicker Tyler Loop saved Pittsburgh’s year. The fourth quarter was a fireworks show as both teams traded touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for 294 yard, 1 touchdown and zero turnovers. Rodgers ends his first season with the black and gold with 3,322 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Jaylen Warren led the team with 66 rushing yard on 14 tries, while Kenneth Gainwell, another running back, had 64 receiving yards on 8 catches. Wide receiver DK metcalf is still suspended. Metcalf will return to the field in a Wild Card Round playoff matchup against the Houston Texans.
The Steelers defense tightened after allowing the Ravens’ first drive to move down the field. They effectively shut down Lamar Jackson, and Derrick Henry, until they allowed multiple big-play touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh had three sacks of Jackson, while T.J. Watt intercepted a batted ball in his first match back after a collapsed lungs. Watt joined Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers as the third NFL player to have over 100 sacks, and nine interceptions.
Baltimore’s disappointing season, which began with Super Bowl hopes for Baltimore, ended with a missed field goal in a loss of 26-24 to the Steelers.
Lamar Jackson has returned to the field after missing his previous match due to a back injury. Jackson was unable to make any plays against Pittsburgh’s defensive line after hitting Devontez Walk for a wide open touchdown on the first drive. Jackson’s performance improved in the fourth quarter when he connected on two deep touchdowns with Zay Flowers. Jackson completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yard, three touchdowns and one interception. Two-time MVP Jackson finishes an injury-plagued season with 2,549 yards passing, 21 touchdowns passing, and seven interceptions. He also adds a career low 349 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Derrick Henry, Buffalo Bills’ running back James Cook and Derrick Henry were the top two ground runners with 20 carries each for 126 yard. Flowers, who had four catches for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns, led all receivers.
The Ravens defense was completely ruined by the injury of Kyle Hamilton, who suffered a concussion at the beginning of the second half. They allowed 23 points following Hamilton’s absence. Baltimore had two sacks but, as it has done for most of the season so far, they struggled to apply pressure to Rodgers.
After the Ravens’ game, the NFL was shocked to learn that John Harbaugh had been fired as longtime head coach after 18 years with the team. Baltimore will now begin the search for their fourth head coaching position in franchise history.
The Bengals ended their third consecutive season without making the playoffs with a loss of 20-18 to the Browns.
A field goal at the last second gave Cleveland the victory over Cincinnati and ended a disappointing season for Bengals. Joe Burrow had a solid game, with 29 completions out of 39 attempts. He also scored three touchdowns. However, he was marred by a 97 yard pick-six. Ja’Marr chase was Burrow’s favorite target as usual. He caught eight passes for 96 yard and a touchdown. Chase Brown, who led the team on the ground by rushing 72 yards in 13 carries, was the top performer. Zac Taylor, the head coach of Cincinnati, is set to return for another season despite a possible hot seat. Burrow’s availability will be a hot topic, especially since the quarterback has expressed his frustration at the team’s inability to succeed this season. Burrow, who missed nine games due to a toe problem, finishes the season with 1,809 yards passing, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Bengals defense played a part in the 20-point score by Cleveland. 14 of those points were defensive touchdowns. Cincinnati’s defensive unit can be proud of a strong season finish after a historically poor start. This offseason, the main question for the defense will be if star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson returns to the team. He missed much of the year due to injury. The 32-year old free agent requested a deal last offseason, but the two sides eventually agreed to increase his salary for 2025.
Kevin Stefanksi, the head coach of the Browns who had a four-year losing streak in Cleveland, was fired despite a two game winning streak.
After drafting two quarterbacks who failed to impress, the Browns are likely to be looking for a new quarterback this offseason. Shedeur Sands had another unimpressive performance in the season finale. He completed 11 of 22 passes for 111 yard and zero touchdowns. The rookie, drafted in the fifth round, finished his first season with 1,400 yards of passing, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The son of NFL legend Deion has a loyal group of supporters, but a new coaching team will want to pick their own guy for the position.
Myles Garrett finally broke the record for the most sacks in a single season with his 23rd against Burrow. The entire defense finishes the season as one of the best units in the league. They proved this on Sunday, with a pick-six that was 97 yards long and a recovered fumble for a touchdown.