Week 13 AFC North predictions: Steelers shorten the gap

The Ravens (9-3) not only lead the AFC North but sit atop the AFC as the No. 1 seed. Good news for the rest of the division, Baltimore is on its bye this week, giving the others a chance to catch up. Here are our predictions for Week 13.

Arizona Cardinals (2-10) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4): The Steelers offense had its best showing of the season in Week 12 after the team finally fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The offense was only able to muster 16 points, but it gained 400+ total yards for the first time in 59 games and was enough to get the win. Pittsburgh's defense is also quietly allowing the fifth-least points per game (18.6) in the league.

The Steelers have yet to put together a complete game but they have a chance to do just that this week when they host the Cardinals, who are allowing the second most points per game (26.8) and averaging the eighth-least points per game (17.2). With a win, Pittsburgh narrows its gap with the Ravens, who it defeated in Week 5.

PREDICTION: Steelers, 27-17

Cleveland Browns (7-4) at Los Angeles Rams (5-6): The Browns began the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but things have certainly taken a turn after seeing season-ending injuries to QB Deshaun Watson and RB Nick Chubb. The injuries don't stop there either as QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson left Cleveland's Week 12 loss with a concussion and never returned. Now there's a "real possibility" that 38-year-old QB Joe Flacco, who just signed with the team last Monday, starts in the rookie's absence.

That doesn't bode well for the Browns as they take on the Rams, who are starting to heat up on their first win streak of the 2023 season. Cleveland's defense, which is allowing the least total yards per game (247.9), will keep things close. But Los Angeles has enough firepower on offense to get the edge in this one, especially with DE Myles Garrett's health in question after he left last week's game with his shoulder in a sling.

PREDICTION: Rams, 20-16

Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3): The Bengals are still adjusting to life without QB Joe Burrow, and it showed in their Week 12 loss where they only scored 10 points. Cincinnati still has one of the best groups of weapons in the league, but QB Jake Browning is no Burrow. The backup quarterback threw for just 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception a week ago and must play better if he wants to give his team a shot at winning any game.

Things aren't getting any easier this week either as the Bengals must go back on the road to take on the Jaguars. The Bengals will want to rely on their run game led by RB Joe Mixon but Jacksonville is allowing the fourth-least rushing yards per game (87.4). Barring a stellar outing by Mixon, Cincinnati will likely have to put the ball back in Browning's hands, which is not a winning recipe.

PREDICTION: Jaguars, 23-14