Where AFC North stars rank following a lifeless Week 1
By Matt Sidney
The stars were out during the NFL's opening weekend. Football is more back than it's ever been. The Baltimore Ravens kicked off the season Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a great start to an entertaining and exhilarating start to the 2024 NFL season.
Last season, the AFC North was a wagon. It was an impressive feat, especially since Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered season-ending injuries, and the Pittsburgh Steelers changed starting quarterbacks midway through the season.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson led the division in passing yards and touchdowns with 3,678 and 24 respectively. Steelers running back Najee Harris led the division in rushing yards with 1,035. Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper led in receiving yards with 1,250.
Expect more of the same this season. All four teams have postseason hopes. See updated AFC North player rankings weekly as we embark on another NFL season.
Every AFC North team's stat leader after Week 1
Passing leaders
Raise your hand if you thought Joe Burrow would throw less than 200 passing yards against the New England Patriots in Week 1. Keep them raised if you thought Justin Fields would eclipse 150. How many hands are still up? How many are lying?
Lamar Jackson took the top spot in the division after Week 1, building off his second MVP performance last season. Jackson looks poised this season. He's the frontrunner for now, we'll see how he fairs as the season continues.
Player | Passing Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|
Lamar Jackson (BAL) | 273 | 1 |
Deshaun Watson (CLE) | 169 | 1 |
Joe Burrow (CIN) | 164 | 0 |
Justin Fields (PIT) | 156 | 0 |
Rushing leaders
The Baltimore Ravens led the entire NFL in total rushing yards last season. Lamar Jackson was a big part of that, accumulating 821 yards himself. His dynamism and electric style of play always puts him in a position to dominate the rushing game.
He did nothing other than dominate the rushing game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson consistently danced around Chiefs defenders in tight spaces and put them on skates in the open field. His athletic ability is something to marvel at. He'll be in contention for the top spot all season.
Player | Rushing yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|
Lamar Jackson (BAL) | 122 | 0 |
Najee Harris (PIT) | 70 | 0 |
Zack Moss (CIN) | 44 | 1 |
Jerome Ford (CLE) | 44 | 1 |
Receiving leaders
You'll notice the usual suspects dominate the receiving yard leaderboard. That is everyone except for the top spot. Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely led all receivers after Week 1. He was virtually unstoppable and one of only a few winners in a game against the Chiefs where there were several losers.
This division is filled with star receivers. Expect this list to fluctuate constantly as the stars of the AFC North battle for supremacy.
Player | Receiving yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|
Isaiah Likely (BAL) | 111 | 1 |
George Pickens (PIT) | 85 | 0 |
Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) | 62 | 0 |
David Njoku | 44 | 0 |
Sack leaders
The AFC North has no shortage of elite pass rushers. Every team in the division has at least one quarterback-wrecker that opposing teams need to keep their eyes on. Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt is always a name to keep an eye on. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is equally as much a problem for opposing QBs.
Week 1 didn't offer too many quarterback takedowns but expect that to change as soon as next week.
Player | Sacks |
|---|---|
David Ojabo (BAL) | 1.0 |
T.J. Watt/Montravious Adams (PIT) | 1.0 |
Dax Hill (CIN) | 1.0 |
Myles Garrett/Dalvin Tominson/Za'Darius Smith | 1.0 |
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