Browns seize the moment atop division — AFC North roundup

The AFC North remains a traffic jam, but Sunday’s results gave the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers a chance to strengthen both their records and their reputations.

Cleveland Browns: statement win and Watson’s future

At home, the Cleveland Browns pulled out a 13-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The victory lifts Cleveland to 4-2, creating a three-way tie at the top of the division with Baltimore and Pittsburgh. CBS Sports lists the Browns among the teams receiving high marks for their Week 6 performance and says they are taking control of the AFC North after this result.

Long term, Deshaun Watson’s status remains a central storyline. Pro Football Rumors notes that general manager Andrew Berry said back in June he would not rule out a new deal for the quarterback, who is now in the final season of his five-year contract. According to the same outlet, the Browns are open to re-signing Watson after he previously spent part of this year battling second-year pro Shedeur Sanders for the starting job.

Baltimore Ravens: narrow loss in a key divisional clash

The Baltimore Ravens (4-2) leave Cleveland with a tight 13-10 loss in a matchup with direct implications on the race for the division crown. The Ravens–Browns contest was one of the featured games in prediction markets, with multiple CBS Sports promotional pieces built around that Week 6 showdown.

Pittsburgh Steelers: win, coach injury scare and France wrinkle

The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their strong season going with a 26-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to also move to 4-2. CBS Sports gave the Steelers solid Week 6 grades for that performance. The matchup drew attention from betting markets as well, with CBS Sports highlighting Steelers–Buccaneers odds and Aaron Rodgers’ involvement in the game.

The night was not without concern on the sideline. CBS Sports reports that head coach Mike McCarthy suffered an injury during the game against Tampa Bay and spent halftime in the blue medical tent. On the international front, Pro Football Rumors says the NFL may have to deal with the French government ahead of the league’s first-ever game in France, with president Emmanuel Macron suggesting possible restrictions on public outings amid widespread demonstrations. That situation is directly relevant to the league and is linked to the Steelers.

Around the division: Joey Porter Jr. and a quiet day for Bengals

Former Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., now with the Dallas Cowboys, remains on the radar. Pro Football Rumors reports that his current injury status is unrelated to his contract, after a trade ended what it terms a de facto hold-in with Pittsburgh. As for the Cincinnati Bengals (3-2), they stayed out of the headlines over the past 24 hours but remain firmly in the hunt in a division with three 4-2 teams and one at 3-2.