What's Going On Around the AFC North In Week 12?

The Browns have navigated a tough stretch of their schedule beautifully so far and find themselves in the drivers seat for a playoff berth with sole possession of the fifth seed in the AFC at the moment.

Back-to-back game out west though don't make things any easier in a division where things remain extremely tight. If the playoffs started today, three AFC North teams would all be in the tournament – a testament to just how competitive this division is.

A season-ending injury to Joe Burrow certainly changes the outlook of things slightly. That said, there are still a number of scenarios that can unfold though particularly with a handful of intra-division head-to-head matchups still to come. One of those is this week. Here's what's happening around the AFC North in Week 12.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) – 1 p.m. Sunday

Turmoil seems afoot in Pittsburgh as reports this week say wide receiver Diontae Johnson and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick got into an altercation after the team's loss to Cleveland last week. On top of that, head coach Mike Tomlin decided he had seen enough of his team's anemic offensive and parted ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

Will a new OC interim, Eddie Faulkner be the magic elixir to get the offense going and to maximize Kenny Pickett? Today will serve as the first litmus test of that.

Tomlin and the Steelers have a unique way of combating any locker room problems and keep on finding ways to win. A Bengals team down Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins may not present too much resistance unless of course Jake Browning is secretly a gunslinger. A Pittsburgh win would essentially put the Bengals season to bed.

Baltimore Ravens (8-3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) – 8:20 p.m. Sunday

The Ravens remain in first place in the AFC North and after a Chiefs loss last week they also hold the top seed in the AFC. What's interesting though, is the Browns currently own the tie-breaker over Baltimore if the two teams were both to win out.

As Baltimore looks to stay atop the AFC with a win as they face a bipolar Chargers team that, similar to the Browns over the years, invent new ways to lose. With Justin Herbert under center though, LA is one of the top passing teams in football and are always a threat to win any game.

Meanwhile, the Ravens and Lamar Jackson will try to navigate the offense without one of its top targets in tight end Mark Andrews. Could it mean more production for old friend Odell Beckham Jr.?

A bye week looms for Baltimore in Week 13, but every one of their remaining games will be important to the Browns so plan on keeping an eye on this one after the Browns game against the Broncos wraps.