Morning take: AFC North goes 3-1

October, 12, 2009
10/12/09
8:30
AM ET
By James Walker | ESPN.com

Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker

Here are the most interesting stories Monday in the AFC North:
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers won their second game in a row with a 28-20 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Morning take: Pittsburgh’s offense has looked really good lately. With Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu close to returning, the Steelers (3-2) look primed to make a move.
  • Cincinnati Bengals tailback Cedric Benson broke a 39-game streak by rushing for 120 yards in a 17-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Morning take: The Ravens have held a lot of good running backs under 100 yards during their streak. So Benson's impressive performance was a surprise.
  • Meanwhile, the Ravens’ defense also is struggling against the pass this season.
Morning take: Playing against quarterbacks like Philip Rivers, Tom Brady and Carson Palmer this season certainly played a factor. But Baltimore will need to both cover better and rush the quarterback better to improve in this area.
  • Cleveland Browns tailback Jamal Lewis was stellar with 117 rushing yards in a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Morning take: The Browns needed every yard. Lewis, who returned after a two-game absence due to a bad hamstring, made up for it with 31 carries.

James Walker | email

NFL
  • ESPN AFC East Blogger
  • Joined ESPN in 2008
  • A Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami
Tags:

Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tom Brady, AFC East, Jamal Lewis, Cedric Benson, NFC North, AFC North, Detroit Lions, Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu, New England Pateriots

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Jamison Hensley
Jamison Hensley

Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife.

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