Every AFC North Team Falls, Race for Conference Title Still Up for Grabs

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Sunday was supposed to be a day where the AFC North dominated the NFL.

Beginning the day, the Ravens were taking on the NFL leading Indianapolis Colts. Even though the Colts were undefeated heading into the game, the Ravens, with their dominating defense, were still one and a half point favorites to win the game.

The Steelers were traveling to Kansas City, in a game where they were supposed to dominate the lowly Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Browns played a Lions team that has won only one game in the last season and a half.

Finally, the division leading Bengals visited the Oakland Raiders, who just benched their franchise quarterback in favor of a former fifth round pick.

The Ravens took the Colts to the limit. Indianapolis, with a two point lead, had to punt to the ever dangerous Ed Reed. Instead of just going down, Reed tried to be the play maker that he is and lateraled the ball. Reed fumbled, Indianapolis recovered, and the Ravens fell to 5-5.

Soon after, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell. After handling the Chiefs most of the day, the Steelers allowed the Chiefs back into the game. In overtime, Ben Roethlisberger took a knee to the head, knocking him out of the game. Charlie Batch came in and immediately marched the Steelers into field goal range.

Bruce Arians called a sweep, Mewelde Moore gets tackled for a two yard loss, which took the Steelers out of field goal range. A minute later, Matt Cassel moves the Chiefs to the two yard line, and Mr. Irrelevant kicks a game winning field goal.

Cleveland did no better. With the lead, and only seconds to play, Matthew Stafford threw the ball into the end zone hoping for a win. What he got was pass interference in the end zone as the clock struck 0:00. With one, un-timed down, Matthew Stafford threw his fifth touch down of the game, and with the extra point the Lions won 38-37.

Against the Raiders, the Bengals had the chance to end the race in the AFC North, taking a three game lead on the Steelers and a four game lead on the Ravens with a win.

Instead, lightning struck, and the AFC North race remains wide open.

Bruce Gradkowski threw a 29 yard touchdown pass to rookie Louis Murphy to tie the game at 17 with 33 seconds left. The play was replayed, but the score was upheld.

Cincinnati was going to get the ball back with 30 seconds and all three time outs left, to try to mount a game winning drive.

Return man Andre Caldwell then fumbled the kickoff at the 17 yard line.

After three kneel downs, Raiders' kicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 33 yard field goal to win the game.

With the chance to put the final nail in the coffin of the Steelers and Ravens, the Bengals came up one fumble short.

Now the AFC North race is in the same position as it was before the first game began on Sunday.

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