AFC teams affected the most by Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson injuries: Steelers now with an attractive path

The panorama of the AFC shifted in a big method this week. Just a pair weeks in the past, all 4 AFC North teams had been firmly in the playoff image. Now, it kind of feels not going all 4 will make the postseason, and that is the reason on account of accidents.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson broke a bone in his throwing shoulder, which is able to power him to pass over the rest of the season, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a torn ligament in the wrist of his throwing hand, which would require season-ending surgical treatment. With the Browns and Bengals dropping their beginning quarterbacks, it makes lifestyles more straightforward for his or her opponents — and the AFC at massive. Let’s check out all the teams that had been affected by the fresh QB injures in the AFC North.  

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook; Projections from SportsLine information scientist Stephen Oh

Cincinnati Bengals

Losing Burrow is obviously a large blow to the Bengals. Cincy was once already slightly in the back of the 8 ball because of its 1-3 get started — and whilst the Bengals rebounded to get to 5-3 — they have got now dropped two directly video games and simply misplaced their franchise quarterback. 

What choices do the Bengals have? Jake Browning, who finished 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and one landing towards the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday evening, will be the new starter. The Bengals even have AJ McCarron on the follow squad. 

The Bengals have some tricky matchups to near out the yr. In reality, Tankathon says Cincinnati has the hardest closing time table in the NFL. The Bengals play the Pittsburgh Steelers two times, the Jacksonville Jaguars on “Monday Night Football” and the Kansas City Chiefs on New Year’s Eve. According to SportsLine’s Stephen Oh, the Bengals’ probabilities of making the playoffs dropped from 37.6% with Burrow to only 1.3% with out him. Cincy’s win share dropped 14.1%, and its odds of profitable the AFC or the Super Bowl have shriveled to 0.0%.

Playoff probabilities after Watson damage: 48.9%
Playoff probabilities after Burrow damage: 1.3%
Odds to make playoffs: OFF

Cleveland Browns

With Watson completed for the yr, the Browns introduced that rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, no longer veteran P.J. Walker, will get started Week 11 vs. the Steelers. The UCLA product struggled in his first profession get started again in Week 4, throwing for 121 yards and 3 interceptions in a 28-3 loss to Baltimore. Many will likely be fast to rely out the Browns now that Watson is out, however you’ve gotten to keep in mind this staff took down the up to now undefeated San Francisco 49ers previous this yr with Walker underneath heart. Cleveland has a valid shot to make the postseason on account of its fantastic protection. 

The Browns protection is permitting the fewest yards in keeping with recreation (242.7) since the 2008 Steelers, the fewest yards in keeping with pressure (18.7) since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles and performs in keeping with recreation (53.6) since the 1973 Los Angeles Rams. It’s spectacular that Cleveland is 6-3 in spite of jointly having the worst crowning glory share, passing TD-INT ratio and passer score in the NFL this season. The Browns have the second-best document via Week 10 since 1970 by a staff with the NFL’s worst passer score. The 2015 Super Bowl-champion Denver Broncos had been 7-2.

DTR/Walker simply need to maintain the soccer, depend on the No. 2 speeding offense in the NFL and accept as true with Jim Schwartz’s protection. 

Playoff probabilities after Watson damage: 63.9%
Playoff probabilities after Burrow damage: 73.2%
Odds to make playoffs: -180

Baltimore Ravens

The 8-3 Ravens had been already checked out as certainly one of the superb teams in the NFL, and their street simply were given slightly bit more straightforward. Baltimore has already finished its season collection with each Cleveland and Cincinnati, so the Ravens would possibly not get advantages in attending to play backup quarterbacks, however with either one of their opponents down starters at the most essential place in the recreation, it looks as if the Ravens are going to win their first department identify since 2019. Losing celebrity tight finish Mark Andrews for what seems to be the remainder of the season hurts, however the Ravens are nonetheless contenders. 

Playoff probabilities after Watson damage: 92.4%
Playoff probabilities after Burrow damage: 95.8%
Odds to make playoffs: -2400

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are getting all the breaks! They are 6-3 in spite of no longer precisely having a look like a 6-3 staff. It’s the superb document in NFL historical past by a staff that has been outgained in 9 directly video games! Pittsburgh has six comeback wins this season (most in the NFL), and is a league-best 6-0 in one-score video games.

The Steelers protection is feisty and T.J. Watt is at all times going to get power on the quarterback, however accidents at the linebacker place are in reality one thing to observe. It does not seem like the Steelers are going to section tactics with offensive coordinator Matt Canada, so fanatics will simply have to carry out hope he can give you the option to strengthen this offensive assault. It looks as if Jaylen Warren goes to play a bigger function transferring ahead, and quarterback Kenny Pickett has now long gone 5 directly video games with out a turnover. The offense has possible, however very obviously has underperformed. 

It looks as if the Steelers will make the playoffs. Check out their closing time table. It’s most commonly backup quarterbacks!

Playoff probabilities after Watson damage: 62%
Playoff probabilities after Burrow damage: 82.8%
Odds to make playoffs: OFF

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars had been gave the impression to be the superb staff in the AFC South coming into 2023. That’s now reputedly up for debate with C.J. Stroud and the surging Houston Texans, however at 6-3, Jacksonville has a super shot to make the postseason whether or not it is by means of department identify or wild card.  

Jacksonville is in truth certainly one of the teams that advantages the most from the AFC North accidents as a result of Trevor Lawrence and Co. are scheduled to play the Bengals and Browns in back-to-back weeks in December. Tankathon believes Jacksonville has the sixth-easiest closing time table in the league.

It is still noticed if the Jags are reputable contenders. We all noticed what took place final week towards the 49ers, however Jacksonville can have some other likelihood to make a playoff run this yr. 

Playoff probabilities after Watson damage: 76.6%
Playoff probabilities after Burrow damage: 84.1%
Odds to make playoffs: -600

Indianapolis Colts

Even after dropping Anthony Richardson, the .500 Colts are proper on the bubble to make the postseason. They are going to need to superb the rival Texans (present No. 7 seed), and the Browns (present No. 6 seed). With Cleveland dropping Watson, that obviously is helping Indy’s playoff case, after which the Colts play the Bengals in Week 14. The Colts have now received two directly video games, and are on a bye in Week 11. This might be an attention-grabbing staff to observe down the stretch. 

Playoff probabilities after Watson damage: 15.4%
Playoff probabilities after Burrow damage: 22.7%
Odds to make playoffs: +280