NFL midseason grades: Browns fail, Steelers earn an ‘A’ in AFC North

Here’s how the NFL is shaping up at midseason in 2024. (Gregory Hodge/Yahoo Sports)

Other divisions: AFC East | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Record: 6-2 (first in AFC North)

Top fantasy performer: RB Najee Harris, 94.40 points (in place of Justin Fields, who was benched)

MVP: LB T.J. Watt

Key second-half game: Nov. 17 vs. Ravens

What a job by Mike Tomlin, down to the QB switch from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson. The Steelers were expected to perhaps have a losing season. Instead they’re contenders to win the division. There is a very tough post-bye schedule, however, including two games against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Record: 6-3 (second in AFC North)

Top fantasy performer: QB Lamar Jackson, 227.66 points

MVP: Jackson

Key second-half game: Dec. 21 vs. Steelers

Lamar Jackson might be the MVP of the league so he has to be the Ravens’ MVP too, but Derrick Henry has a case. His greatness has transformed the Ravens’ offense and should make Baltimore more dangerous in the postseason. The offense has been great, though the Ravens have taken some weird losses and the pass defense needs work (see the late collapse vs. Jameis Winston and the Browns and Gardner Minshew II and Raiders).

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Record: 4-5 (third in AFC North)

Top fantasy performer: QB Joe Burrow, 181.46 points

MVP: WR Ja’Marr Chase

Key second-half game: Dec. 1 vs. Steelers

The season started with an awful home loss to the Patriots, and that put the Bengals in a hole. There’s not one quality win on the Bengals’ résumé. But the Bengals are hovering near .500, and with Joe Burrow getting hot, a wild-card berth still is possible.

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Record: 2-7 (fourth in AFC North)

Top fantasy performer: WR Jerry Jeudy, 66.30 points (in place of Deshaun Watson, who’s out for the season)

MVP: DE Myles Garrett

Key second-half game: Nov. 21 vs. Steelers

The Browns started 1-6 while stubbornly…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-11-06 11:00:45

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