BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens sit alone atop the AFC North at 4-1 after a 30-23 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons, creating separation after Week 5. Cincinnati defeated Miami 31-24, Pittsburgh defeated Indianapolis 34-22 and Cleveland fell to the New York Jets 17-12, leaving the Bengals, Steelers and Browns tied at 3-2 in a logjam for second place entering Week 6.
Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes to snap Cincinnati's two-game losing streak, completing 23 of 32 passes for 190 yards and spreading the ball to nine receivers. He connected on a 45-yard scoring strike to Ja'Marr Chase, who finished with six catches for 77 yards after missing practice time during the week because of a concussion, while Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson and Samaje Perine also caught touchdown passes. Safety Jordan Battle intercepted Miami quarterback Malik Willis twice in the second quarter to help build a 21-7 halftime lead after an 81-yard opening kickoff return by Dohnte Meyers set up the first score, and the Bengals held on after Miami cut the deficit to seven in the final minute on a missed extra point and unsuccessful onside kick. Cincinnati now heads into a bye week before a Week 7 game at Baltimore.
Cleveland saw its three-game winning streak end in a rain-soaked 17-12 loss to the Jets. Deshaun Watson completed 15 of 33 passes for 155 yards while being sacked eight times, and his 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie Denzel Boston midway through the fourth quarter gave the Browns a brief 12-10 lead before Andre Szmyt missed the extra point. The decisive sequence came after Cleveland's defense forced a punt, when a high snap sailed past punter Corey Bojorquez and the Jets recovered deep in Browns territory, setting up Braelon Allen's 22-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes remaining. Watson was strip-sacked on fourth down on Cleveland's final possession. In Pittsburgh, Jaylen Warren accounted for 188 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in a 34-22 win over Indianapolis, scoring on an 80-yard reception in the first quarter and a 50-yard run in the third with Rico Dowdle sidelined by a toe injury. Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 31 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns, including two to tight end Pat Freiermuth, as Pittsburgh improved to 3-2 while Indianapolis settled for five field goals.
Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley rallied Baltimore from an eight-point deficit in the final minute of regulation and scored the winner in overtime filling in for the injured Lamar Jackson. Huntley completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, hitting Devontez Walker for a 7-yard score with 40 seconds remaining before Derrick Henry converted the two-point attempt to force overtime, then scoring on a 1-yard quarterback sneak for the lead. Safety Kyle Hamilton sealed the 30-23 victory by intercepting Atlanta backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, while Henry rushed for 102 yards against a Falcons defense that entered ranked first against the run as Baltimore overcame three first-half field goals and several stalled drives.
Because the Bengals are the only team with a loss and no wins in division play, they sit in last place in the AFC North heading into Week 6 despite their 3-2 record. A win at Baltimore in Week 7 would move Cincinnati back into contention for the division lead, but a loss could leave the Bengals in a deep hole if the Ravens also win this week against the Browns.