AFC North Week 1: Ravens Soar, Steelers Survive, Browns Stumble

As the 2026 NFL season kicked off on September 16, the AFC North wasted no time delivering drama, dominance, and disappointment. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers both notched victories in Week 1, while the Cleveland Browns stumbled out of the gate, serving an early reminder that the road to division glory will be anything but smooth. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the opening weekend painted a vivid picture of what fans can expect in the coming months.

Ravens’ Offense Unleashes Firepower

Baltimore’s 41-23 dismantling of the Indianapolis Colts was a statement. The Ravens amassed 506 yards of offense, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry leading the charge. Henry, who turned 32 in January, looked ageless, rumbling for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. The performance propelled him further up the NFL’s career record books, giving him 125 rushing touchdowns and 130 total scores. Jackson, motivated after a subpar 2025 campaign, was surgical, completing 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and adding 40 yards on the ground. He accounted for touchdowns both through the air and on the ground. Perhaps most encouraging for Baltimore was the first-half explosion: Jackson threw for 229 yards before halftime, and Zay Flowers torched the Colts for 150 receiving yards on just five catches. However, Flowers’ hamstring kept him out of the second half, though he’s listed as day-to-day. The Ravens also lost promising rookie wideout Ja’Kobi Lane to a wrist injury that will require surgery, sidelining him for a month. Despite these concerns, the Ravens’ offensive display sent a clear message to the rest of the division.

Steelers Edge Falcons Behind Watt’s Heroics

In Pittsburgh, the Steelers’ 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons was a gritty, old-school affair. T.J. Watt, the four-time All-Pro linebacker, proved he still has plenty left in the tank. After a disappointing 2025 season in which he recorded just seven sacks, Watt erupted for two sacks and a game-changing 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. His pick of Cooper Rush swung the momentum and rescued an uneven offensive performance. Aaron Rodgers, in what he says will be his final NFL season, passed for 221 yards and a touchdown, but the Steelers struggled to run the ball and dropped several passes. Rodgers, however, was clutch when it mattered, completing three passes on a final possession that chewed up the remaining 4:16. As highlighted on Vulius, Watt’s resurgence could be the catalyst for a Steelers defense that aims to dominate in 2026.

Browns’ Woes Continue in Jacksonville

Cleveland’s 2026 debut was a forgettable one. Deshaun Watson’s first start in nearly two years began with an interception on the opening possession and never improved. The Jacksonville Jaguars sacked Watson five times and harassed him all afternoon. The Browns compounded their problems with 11 penalties for 75 yards, a lost fumble by rookie receiver KC Concepcion Jr., and a dismal 1-for-8 conversion rate on third down. Two drives inside the Jacksonville 20 ended without touchdowns. There were brief flashes: Raheim Sanders broke a 74-yard kickoff return that led to a field goal, and Watson connected with Denzel Boston on a 46-yard touchdown late. But Cleveland finished with just 272 total yards, and the late score did little to mask the offensive ineptitude. The Browns’ protection issues and lack of discipline are immediate concerns for head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Division Outlook: Early Edge to Baltimore

After one week, the Ravens look like the class of the AFC North, with an offense that can score from anywhere and a quarterback-receiver duo in Jackson and Flowers that torched Indianapolis. The Steelers, meanwhile, showed resilience and a defense capable of bailing out an inconsistent offense. The Browns, on the other hand, have plenty to fix if they hope to compete. As the season unfolds, the battle for AFC North supremacy promises to be fierce. Stay tuned to Vulius for continued coverage and analysis.