The NFL has made it through the first two weeks and PigSkinNut will be giving biweekly grades. We go through each division and analysis each position group on how they played in a two-week span. We do every two weeks instead of just one because we feel you get a better sense of players over a long timeframe. If someone struggles two straight weeks, then there might be an issue. Even the best players have down days and it doesn’t give a proper outlook on them. This highlights the AFC North grades for Weeks 1 & 2.
So let’s take a look at how the AFC North is looking heading into Week 3.
AFC North standings:
Baltimore 2-0
Pittsburgh 2-0
Cleveland 1-1
Cincinnati 0-2
AFC North QB Grades
Baltimore- A
Lamar Jackson started 2020 off with little pressure and looking like a fluid passer. He threw for 275 yards and 3 TDs while rushing for 45 yards. He threw for 204 yards against the Texans and distributed the ball to 9 different receivers. Jackson is growing as a passer but is still a threat on the run.
Pittsburgh- A
Ben Roethlisberger started off slow, shaking off the rust. His accuracy was shaky but he eventually got into a good rhythm. He threw for 3 TDs and 229 yards. Against the Broncos, he threw for over 300 yards and got more comfortable throwing deep again. His INT was a poor throw to Juju Smith-Schuster.
Cincinnati- A
Joe Burrow looks the part early on. If the Bengals can keep him upright and healthy, he is going to be good for a long time coming.
Cleveland- C+
Baker Mayfield struggled in the first game with accuracy and decision-making. It was against one of the top defenses in the league though. He looked great in the second game, hitting his receivers perfectly but still threw a pick.
AFC North RB Grades
Cleveland- A
It’s no secret that Cleveland has the best running duo in the game. Nick Chubb averaged 5.8 yards per carry and Kareem Hunt averaged 6.9. Each ran for two TD as well. This isn’t so much a committee but more of the Browns having two starters they are using to their potential.
Pittsburgh- B
James Conner was a non-factor in his first game but he seemed to be playing banged up. Benny Snell stepped up and rushed for 113 yards. Against the Broncos, Conner seemed more rested up and ran for 106 yards (6.6 average). Snell had just 3 carries for five yards. It seems like it could be a back and forth committee with Pittsburgh running with the hot hand.
Baltimore- B-
The RBs are more of a committee rather than just Mark Ingram leading the way. Rookie JK Dobbins had quite a debut with 2 TDs. Gus Edwards was the star in Week 2 with 75 yards. JK Dobbins had just two carries. This group is still one of the better committees.
Cincinnati- C
Joe Mixon has been surprisingly disappointing, only averaging 3.3 yards per carry so far.
AFC North WR/TE Grade
Pittsburgh- B
Juju Smith-Schuster has regained his confidence after a 2 TD day. Diontae Johnson had a rusty game full of mental errors. He bounced back against Denver and led the team in receptions and yards. Chase Claypool is emerging as a great deep threat guy. The Steelers are still trying to find the best way to utilize Eric Ebron’s red zone skills.
Cincinnati- B
This should become one of the best receiving corps in the league. Tyler Boyd is a top 15 WR and if AJ Green can be anything close to what he was in the past, they could be one of the best tandems. TE CJ Uzomah was starting to show great promise this year before ending his season with an Achilles injury.
Baltimore- B-
TE Mark Andrews is Jackson’s favorite target and a great playmaker. Marquise Brown has stepped up as the No.1 WR and racked up 101 yards. Andrews was held to one catch against the Texans and Brown was held to 42 yards. The depth players are stepping up though.
Cleveland- C+
Jarvis Landry is always dependable. OBJ had a great TD catch in Week 2 but also had a key drop. After these two, the Browns are lacking additional playmakers. Cleveland is deep at TE at least. Austin Hooper, David Njoku, and rookie Harrison Bryant are all viable options to be a starter. Hooper has blocked well and will be a security blanket for Baker. They would be a much better unit if Njoku could just stay healthy. He looked great with a TD and phenomenal catch in Week 1 but will miss at least the next 4 weeks to injury.
AFC North OL Grades
Pittsburgh- A-
The o-line had a great debut but suffered a major setback. Fan-favorite Zach Banner went down with a torn ACL, ending his season. They only allowed one sack in Week 2 and the run game has momentum. Rookie Kevin Dotson started his first game and didn’t allow a single pressure.
Cleveland- B
Jedrick Wills is a mauler in the run game and can be elite if he can develop as a pass protector. The rest of the line are great run blockers and I am sure Cleveland will a top 3 team in rushing. They still need work in pass protection and need to get Jack Conklin healthy again.
Baltimore- C+
The offensive line kept Jackson calm in the pocket but Orlando Brown Jr had a rough day against Myles Garrett and Sheldon Richardson. Brown and the rest of the line struggled with Watt and the Houston pass rush, giving up 4 sacks. Granted, they have faced two great D-lines.
Cincinnati- D
They are bad and if they do not get their stuff together they are going to get Burrow injured and cause him to be another Andrew Luck. They’ve allowed six sacks in two games.
AFC North DL Grades
Pittsburgh- B+
The front line was quite disruptive and remains one of the best defenses. Cameron Heyward recorded his first career INT that came off an awful decision by Daniel Jones. Tyson Alualu isn’t Javon Hargrave but the former 1st-round pick is playing exceptionally. They held Saquon Barkley to just 6 yards in the opener.
Baltimore- C+
The offensive line kept Jackson calm in the pocket but Orlando Brown Jr had a rough day against Myles Garrett and Sheldon Richardson. Brown and the rest of the line struggled with Watt and the Houston pass rush, giving up 4 sacks. Granted, they have faced two great D-lines.
Cleveland- C
The defensive line has performed admirably. Myles Garrett is very good but needs to find a way to take over games. Oliver Vernon is made of paper mache and can’t stay healthy. Adrian Clayborn played well against the Bengals but got hurt as well. At least Sheldon Richardson is playing wonderfully.
Cincinnati- D
They will be a little better when Geno Atkins returns but right now they are horrible. The Bengals are allowing the most rushing yards this year.
AFC North LB Grades
Pittsburgh- A-
TJ Watt is….TJ Watt. Bud Dupree and he have a combined 3.5 sacks in the first two games. The Steelers have 4 of the top 8 pass rushers in the NFL and #2 is Dupree and Watt is #4. Devin Bush and Vince Williams are an excellent duo who can really get you down behind the LOS. Bush leads the team in tackles. When you factor in Bud Dupree and TJ Watt, this is a dangerous force on this stacked defense.
Baltimore- C+
Their coverage abilities were poor in this game but at least rookie Patrick Queen seems like a good pick and recorded a sack. He leads the team in tackles and is great in coverage.
Cincinnati- C
They got this grade from helping against the pass but cannot do much to help the awful run defense in Cincinnati.
Cleveland- F
The LB corp is terrible, mostly with injuries to stars Mack Wilson and Jacob Phillips.
AFC North DB Grades
Pittsburgh- B
Terrell Edmunds is making strides and coming into his own finally. Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson are creating plays all over the field and are shutting down some top talent. Joe Haden is still able to produce at his age but he is losing some ground with the speedsters. Surprisingly, Minkah Fitzpatrick has been quiet thus far.
Cincinnati- B
While the defense has struggled the run, they are much more effective against the passing attack. They are allowing 213 YPG and gave up just two passing TDs.
Baltimore- B-
They shut down OBJ and limited the Browns to just 189 passing yards. Marcus Peters did struggle with sticking to OBJ but luckily Mayfield couldn’t connect with his WR well. Safety Anthony Levine Sr lost the battle against TE Fells for a TD. Marcus Peters had a great diving INT and Will Fuller was held to zero targets.
Cleveland- F
The secondary is awful except for Denzel Ward. Andrew Sendejo has struggled and nickel corner Tavaris Thomas should be benched. Greedy William returning from injury will help a little.
