Week 14 AFC North predictions: And then there were two

If the season were to end today, the Ravens, Steelers and Browns would be in the playoffs. However, that won't be the case following this week. Here are our predictions for Week 14.

New England Patriots (2-10) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5): The Steelers are trying to bounce back after suffering their most embarrassing loss of the season to the Cardinals a week ago. Luckily for Pittsburgh, it has a great opportunity to do just that on "Thursday Night Football" when it hosts one of the worst teams in the league. The Patriots are averaging the least points per game (12.3) and fifth least total yards per game (290.4) in the league.

The Steelers will be without second-year QB Kenny Pickett as he heals from ankle surgery, which should sideline him for two to four weeks. But this is why they gave backup QB Mitchell Trubisky a contract extension in the offseason, to step up and win when needed. It won't be all on the shoulders of Trubisky either as Pittsburgh's defense is quietly allowing the sixth least points per game (19.1). There are no excuses for losing this one.

PREDICTION: Steelers, 20-13

Los Angeles Rams (6-6) at Baltimore Ravens (9-3): The Ravens return from their Week 13 bye as the AFC's No. 2 seed after the Chiefs (8-4) and Jaguars (8-4) lost last week. The only team that stands between them and the No. 1 seed is the Dolphins (9-3), who they'll face in Week 17. Until then, Baltimore must take care of business, starting with the Rams this week. It will likely continue to lean on its rush attack, which ranks as the best in the NFL (158.6 yards per game), and its dominant defense, which is allowing the least points per game (15.6) and second least total yards per game (273.9).

Los Angeles is beginning to heat up, averaging 30 points per game on its three-game win streak, so this one could be a closer affair than some may think. However, the Rams defense ranks in the middle of the pack in most categories this season, giving the Ravens the edge in this one.

PREDICTION: Ravens, 27-23

Indianapolis Colts (7-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-6): The Bengals are on cloud nine after upsetting the Jaguars in Week 13's finale on "Monday Night Football." QB Jake Browning had a career game, completing 32-of-37 for 354 yards and recording two total touchdowns. It is certainly building back the confidence of the team but whether last week's performance was a fluke or not is still unknown.

Cincinnati will have a good opportunity to prove it can stack good performances with its new quarterback as the Colts are allowing the sixth most points per game (24.7) and seventh-most total yards per game (355.3). It won't be easy, however, as QB Gardner Minshew, who has been one of the most surprising players this year, is leading an offense that is averaging the eighth most points per game (25). This one should be close, but Minshew has just been finding a way to win on the Colts' four-game win streak.

PREDICTION: Colts, 24-21

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) at Cleveland Browns (7-5): The Browns defense, which is allowing the least total yards per game (260.5) in the league, was exposed last week by the Rams. DE Myles Garrett, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, is clearly not healthy as he had the first game in his career without a single tackle, per ESPN Stats & Info. The Jaguars may be without QB Trevor Lawrence, who suffered a high ankle sprain on "MNF," but if Cleveland's defense struggles again, it won't matter who's playing quarterback.

On the other hand, QB Joe Flacco looked good in his first start with the team, completing 23-of-44 for 254 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Browns have heavily relied on their run game all season and Jacksonville will make things difficult, allowing the fifth least rushing yards per game (93.1). Cleveland is the AFC's No. 6 seed with just five weeks left in the regular season, but it won't be after this week, leaving the Ravens and Steelers as the lone representatives of the AFC North in the playoff picture.

PREDICTION: Jaguars, 20-17