First Call: What in the world happened in the AFC North on Sunday?

Tim Benz
Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 6:22 a.m. | Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 6:22 a.m.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett attempts to tackle New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco during their game Sunday in Cleveland.

For Monday’s “First Call,” we are just going to focus on one thing and that is: What in the world happened to the AFC North this weekend??!!

No, the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t the only team to have a rough day in the division. The Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns also lost their games on Sunday afternoon.

At least the Steelers didn’t blow a lead in their game. They just never had a lead. Is that any better?

The Browns stretched a lead on the New York Jets out to a 30-17 margin with just under two minutes left at home, and they still managed to lose 31-30. That was thanks to a missed PAT kick, a 66-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco, an on-side kick recovery and a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Quick strike.@TheCDavis84 | #NYJvsCLE on CBS pic.twitter.com/wchzBWVFYX

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 18, 2022

WE HAVE LIFE#NYJvsCLE on CBS pic.twitter.com/hyCYnou1z6

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 18, 2022

SOURCES SAY GARRETT WILSON IS HIM#NYJvsCLE on CBS | @GarrettWilson_V pic.twitter.com/l79cp2OIvg

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 18, 2022

After Nick Chubb’s touchdown to give Cleveland a 30-17 lead with 1:55 left, the Browns had a 99% win probability.

Take it away, Jim Carrey.

Welp, there was for the Jets. That’s for sure.

More Steelers

• Madden Monday: 'Steelers offense has the stench of death. ... They should fire Matt Canada'
• Mark Madden: Steelers offense has limitations, but Matt Canada deserves blame, too
• Tim Benz: 'Airing of Grievances' as Steelers struggle in all phases against Patriots
• Mitch Trubisky’s home opener for Steelers much like his tenure with Bears

Meanwhile, the Ravens were up 28-7 at home in their game against the Miami Dolphins. They were leading 35-14 after three quarters. But the Dolphins put up 28 fourth-quarter points. And they ended up coming back to beat the Ravens 42-38.

TUA TO WADDLE. @MIAMIDOLPHINS LEAD.

????: #MIAvsBAL on CBS
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LqzAxQaA7Q pic.twitter.com/Em9iy53QIS

— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022

As for the Bengals, like the Steelers, they never led their game, either. But they managed to tie their contest in Dallas at 17-17 after being down 17-3 at halftime. Yet the Bengals allowed the Cowboys to march from their own 35-yard line to Cincinnati’s 32-yard line with 57 seconds left. Brett Maher capitalized with a 50-yard field goal, and the Bengals dropped to 0-2.

MAHER DID THAT! FOR THE WIN!????

????:#CINvsDAL ➡️ @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/sDO9Fxp41S

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 18, 2022

So, the Bengals and Steelers played 120 combined minutes of football Sunday and never led. As for the Ravens and Browns, neither of them trailed until under 30 seconds remained in their respective games.

Totally different kinds of pain, identical results. All this means the Steelers, Ravens and Browns are now 1-1 to begin the year, while the Bengals are 0-2.

Barring a tie between the Steelers and Browns on Thursday night — and we shouldn’t rule that out — there will be at least one team with a 2-1 record atop the division.

The Bengals visit the Jets. So they should get to 1-2. But, based on Cincy’s start, I wouldn’t assume that. As for the Ravens, they are at New England, so that could go in any direction.

For the division overall, though, after this week, the only direction is up.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.