» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 8:
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| Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire | |
| The Ravens need Willis McGahee to help invigorate the running game. |
Where is McGahee? As a backup to Ray Rice, tailback Willis McGahee averaged 5.9 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) in the first three weeks. The Ravens were 3-0 in that span. But in the past three games, McGahee has 13 carries for 12 yards and zero touchdowns. Baltimore has gone to the pass more often, and Rice registered most of the run attempts. But at some point look for the Ravens to focus back on the ground game, and it could start against Denver.
Little help: Here is an awful stat for the Cleveland Browns: Their second-leading receiver in terms of yards is Braylon Edwards, but the former Brown hasn’t been on the team since Week 4. Rookie Mohamed Massaquoi has taken over as the No. 1 receiver with 17 catches for 300 yards. But Brian Robiskie, Chansi Stuckey and Mike Furrey haven't done much to help the team since Edwards was shipped to the New York Jets. In Week 7, Cleveland's receivers couldn't get open in a 31-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The group also has problems with drops.
Dead even: For those keeping track, the AFC North vs. NFC North battles are even at 4-4 as we approach midseason. The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-0, with wins over the Packers and Chicago Bears. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-1, with a loss to Chicago and wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. The Browns are 0-2, with losses to Green Bay and Minnesota, and the Ravens also lost to the Vikings.
Big targets: There are several reasons Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco is much happier this year. Not only is his team in first place, but Ochocinco is among the NFL's most targeted wide receivers. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has thrown the football in Ochocinco's direction 63 times, fourth most in the NFL. Ochocinco has 39 receptions for 573 yards and five touchdowns. Pittsburgh receivers Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward are also tied for eighth, being targeted 55 times each.
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