AFC North Notebook: Steelers clinch playoff spot, Johnny Manziel injured
Every Monday and Friday, theScore's NFL editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the AFC North Notebook.
Cincinnati Bengals
Steelers/Bengals flexed to Sunday night. Next week's matchup between the Bengals and Steelers has been shifted from 1 p.m. ET to 8:30 p.m. ET.
Bengals hoping to exorcise big-game demons. A team that generally wilts under the bright lights of prime time, the Bengals are looking to some expel their big-game demons Monday night against the Denver Broncos.
Win and they're in. The Bengals control their own destiny over the final two games of the season. One victory will assure a spot in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers clinch playoff berth. The Steelers officially locked up a spot in the postseason with a 20-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon.
Sack party. Linebacker Jason Worilds and the Steelers' defense took up residence in Alex Smith's kitchen, sacking the Chiefs quarterback six times during Sunday's game.
Tuitt showing promise. Rookie defensive end Stephon Tuitt is starting to show flashes of what made him a second-round pick in this year's draft.
“We always used to tell him, ‘Your time’s coming. You just have to play your part,’” left guard Ramon Foster told ESPN. “And now he’s really showing it. I’m proud of the way he’s playing so far. But he’s got to get better because the season is just getting started. It’s getting really hot now.”
Baltimore Ravens
Ravens playoff chances seriously damaged. A lopsided loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday put a serious dent in the Ravens' playoff chances.
Steve Smith expects criticism from couch QBs. Outspoken wide receiver Steve Smith is expecting a legion of fans to criticize the Ravens following their embarrassing outing against the Texans.
"We expect and understand and anticipate all of the negative feedback and all of the fat, lazy, sorry couch quarterbacks are going to come out," Smith told the Baltimore Sun.
Flacco's putrid half. With only three completions on 18 passes in the first half against the Texans on Sunday, Joe Flacco had the lowest first half completion percentage by an NFL quarterback in 23 years (16.7%).
Cleveland Browns
Manziel suffers hamstring injury. Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel suffered a hamstring injury during the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers. The severity of the injury is unknown at this point.
Newton calls cheering of Manziel's injury 'classless'. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wasn't impressed with the fans in Bank of America Stadium who cheered Johnny Football's injury.
"I just think it was classless at that time," Newton said. "Anytime a person is hurt, you don't celebrate. I've had that done in my career. It takes the integrity out of the game.''
Browns ending season with QB mess. As ESPN's Pat McManamon notes, the Browns are continuing their tradition of ending every season with a quarterback mess.