AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens

Bengals

• The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. writes that, although it was lost in the aftermath of QB Joe Burrow‘s season-ending knee injury, the Bengals offensive line had actually improved in pass protection since the start of the season. 
• Even so, Dehner still expects the Bengals to dedicate significant resources to improving the line this offseason, potentially high in the first round and in free agency. 
• Regarding the Bengals culture, Dehner said he knows there are people who are unhappy and there’s clearly division, but that’s not unexpected for a team that has just four wins since the start of the 2019 season. 
• He adds as far as he can tell, Burrow is bought in to HC Zac Taylor‘s culture and that will go a long way with his teammates. 

Browns

Browns RB Nick Chubb said he and Kareem Hunt are following in the footsteps of former Browns’ 1,000-yard rushers Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner. 

“I know a little bit about Kevin and Earnest,” Chubb said, via Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal. “Yeah, I have heard about them. I think it is best for us to kind of follow in those footsteps and keep the dynamic duo running back thing going here in Cleveland.”

Chubb said that the Browns “executed better” in Week 11 after rushing for 114 yards against the Eagles. 

“I think we just executed better. I think all of us made our mind up that we were not going to be stopped on something that we believe is our bread and butter of this offense,” Chubb said. “I think it was more of a mindset thing and a pride thing for us to go out there and run the ball better.” 

Chubb feels the Browns’ offense still has a “ways to go” to determine its identity. 

“I think we still have a ways to go,” Chubb said. “We can do a lot of things better. As far as our identity, I think we want to be more balanced and be able to do anything and everything we can. Be able to pass and run the ball, it does not matter. We want to be able to do everything.”

Ravens

• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports the Ravens have disciplined a strength and conditioning coach for not reporting his COVID-19 symptoms and inconsistently wearing a mask and tracking device, which may have contributed to the breakout within the organization. 
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Ravens had one player and a couple of staff members test positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. However, it doesn’t appear that this will affect the status of Sunday’s game against the Steelers.