NFL scores, live updates: Ravens lock up division title, Bengals keep playoff hopes alive in AFC North doubleheader

The four teams of the AFC North came together for a Saturday doubleheader in Week 18. The result was a division title for the Baltimore Ravens and another day of hope for the Cincinnati Bengals

The Ravens captured the divisional crown with an undramatic 35-10 victory against the Cleveland Browns, who started Bailey Zappe at quarterback, swapped in Dorian Thompson-Robinson after a pick 6, then brought Zappe back in. With the Cleveland offense struggling, the Ravens were up multiple scores the entire second half.

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The biggest highlight: an interception by 355-pound defensive tackle Michael Pierce.

Baltimore is now locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AFC side of the playoffs, behind the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs and No. 2 Buffalo Bills.

Lamar Jackson finished his season with 4,172 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns with some of the best pass efficiency numbers in NFL history, as well as 915 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. It was the most productive and efficient season of his career. Was it good enough for a third MVP award against a strong campaign by Bills quarterback Josh Allen?

On the Bengals’ side, they faced a reeling Pittsburgh Steelers team that still had playoff seeding to play for, as a win would mean facing the Houston Texans rather than the Ravens, who beat them 34-17 at home just two weeks ago. Now, the Steelers need a Chargers loss to finish as the No. 5 seed in the AFC.

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The Bengals took an early lead and held off a later Steelers comeback attempt to stay alive in the AFC wild-card hunt. They still, however, need some help, namely wins by the Kansas City Chiefs over the Denver Broncos and New York Jets over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The game pitted a team on a four-game winning streak against one with a three-game losing streak. Both teams continued those streaks, and that gives them very different feelings entering the playoffs.

Here’s how it all went down on Yahoo Sports: