AFC North Buzz: Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson injury news, Ravens and Steelers atop the North

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens are the team to beat in the AFC North

With Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson going down, Lamar Jackson is undoubtedly the top quarterback in the division going forward.  Some may argue he was playing like the most dominant quarterback in the division in leading the Baltimore Ravens to an 8-3 record.

Following a 34-20 win over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football, the Ravens were showing they were the team to beat in the AFC North even before Burrow went down with his injury.  Now, they will have to fend off the Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers for the division.  As the most complete team, they have the edge even with losing top tight end Mark Andrews to a season-ending injury.

A big blow for the Ravens, but with the way that defense has been playing and how Jackson has performed, Baltimore should overcome the injury with the playmakers they still have.  Obvious, the biggest game-changing threat is Jackson who also showed off his toughness Thursday night in continue to play the game at a high level after injuring his ankle.

“[It was] very impressive,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said following the game.  “The ankle [injury] over there in the sideline where that deal happened to bounce back and play the way he did and still have some mobility with hanging there to make those throws, it’s impressive.  We have a purple heart award.  There will probably be two of them; it will probably be Mark [Andrews] and probably be Lamar [Jackson} for gutting through those …For that injury for Lamar”.

After a contract dispute prior to the season, Lamar Jackson seems to be on a different kind of mission, a mission that should conquer the AFC North.  The dynamic quarterback also has something to prove once the team gets to the playoffs.  Can he lead them on a deep run, perhaps Super Bowl?  Stay tuned.