A few weeks back, I was a guest on a Cleveland sports show. They wanted to know what I thought of the Browns.
I pointed out that they may have the best roster in the NFL, but you always had to account for them being the Browns. In other words, they were going to have Browns moments, and they would cost them ballgames.
They had two against Kansas City, a bad punt snap and an interception, and it cost them a big win in Kansas City, but let's look at the big picture: they built a respectable lead against a great opponent playing on it's home field and very nearly pulled it out.
Then there are the Steelers. For four straight years, I've been writing them off before the season began and for four straight years, they proved me wrong.
Sunday, they got what might be the most impressive win of the weekend: going into Buffalo and taking down a very good and heavily favored Bills team. Pittsburgh rallied from a 10-0 deficit and rode it's stifling defense to a 23-16 victory. Heck, they even got a special teams touchdown.
Bottom line: the Steelers are still the Steelers.
Even the long-suffering woebegone Bengals looked tough, taking the Vikings into overtime to grab a 27-24 victory.
Joe Burrow, back from a knee injury, was 20-27 for 261 yards and two touchdowns despite being sacked five times. That's an AFC North stat line if I ever saw one.
Prepare yourselves, Ravens fans. This season could be even tougher than you feared.
It's only week one, but those are some ominous signs.
See you Monday night.