The AFC North race just got blown wide open. Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ star quarterback, is sidelined with an ankle sprain, potentially for multiple games after their win against the Titans this past Sunday. Ian Rapoport is reporting the former MVP could miss some serious time. That’s a huge shift, especially when the Cleveland Browns are sitting at 3-1 and everyone’s been waiting for that other shoe to drop. This sudden turn of events leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers, currently one game behind both the Browns and Ravens, with a clear path to make some real noise.
The Division Tightens, Pittsburgh’s Window Opens
Every team in the AFC North is at .500 or better through four weeks, so this division is already a dogfight. With the Browns at 3-1, they’re the frontrunners for now, but the Jackson injury changes everything for Baltimore and gives Pittsburgh a massive shot. The Steelers have a favorable stretch of games ahead: they’re facing the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and then a second matchup with those Browns. If they can pull off a 3-1 record over those games, and the Ravens hit a tough stretch over the next month and a half, the door is absolutely wide open for the Steelers to stay right in the hunt for a division win.
Roster Moves and Internal Cleaning
On the roster front, the Steelers aren’t sitting still. They’ve added a former Browns defensive end to their practice squad, which is a savvy move. Unfortunately, they also waived cornerback Doneiko Slaughter, who was a preseason standout. On the bright side, it looks like starting safety DeShon Elliott is “getting close” to returning, and getting a starter back on defense is always a big win. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Head Coach Mike McCarthy and the team spent a long weekend in self-scout mode, and his comment, “Our house is not clean right now,” tells you everything you need to know about what they’re working on internally. They’ve got some issues to fix if they want to capitalize on this opportunity. Also, the Packers are finding out what the Steelers already knew about former Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson; he is struggling.
The next few weeks for Pittsburgh against the Colts, Bucs, and Saints are massive. Every game matters, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for them to establish themselves as true contenders in the AFC North. Keep an eye on DeShon Elliott’s return; getting him back could be just what they need to shore things up as they try to clean house and make a run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
Leave a Reply