AFC North and NFL Roundup: Week of Nov. 26-30

Wednesday, Nov. 28

!Dwyer Named Starter On Depth Chart The Pittsburgh Steelers have promoted running back Jonathan Dwyer to the top spot on the depth chart, moving running back Rashard Mendenhall to third string. The Steelers have used of rotation of running backs this season, but Dwyer could carry the load moving forward. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

!**Browns Deny Gruden Report**
The Cleveland Browns have denied a recent rumor that Jon Gruden has been offered an ownership stake in the team in exchange for agreeing to coach the University of Tennessee. Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam is also a Tennessee booster, which is how the connection to the Browns was made. Haslam, however, said he has no role in Tennessee's coaching search. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

!Bengals-Ravens Finale Could Get Flexed 
The Ravens head to Cincinnati on Dec. 30 for the regular-season finale, and there is a chance that the game could get flexed out 1 p.m. time slot and moved into primetime. The NFL wants to feature Week 17 games that have  playoff implications, and the Bengals could be fighting for a playoff spot that game. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

!**QB Controversy Brewing In San Fran **
The San Francisco 49ers have a budding quarterback controversy between Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick. They recently started Kaepernick in a win against the Saints, but Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game that Smith was still the team's starting quarterback. [SI.com] Tuesday, Nov. 27

!Steelers Activate Rookie DeCastro The Steelers have activated rookie guard David DeCastro from the injured reserve – designated to return list. The first-round draft pick suffered a knee injury in the third preseason game and was placed on IR, which has kept him off the field up to this point. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

!**Holmgren To Leave Browns Friday**
Outgoing Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren met with the media on Monday and announced that he would leave the team on Friday, ending a disappointing tenure of the last three years. Holmgren's departure comes after new owner Jimmy Haslam had already appointed Joe Banner to be the team's new president. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

!Improved Run Game Big In Bengals Resurgence 
The Bengals have rebounded in recent weeks and are making a push for the playoffs, and the resurgence corresponds with a big improvement in the running game. The Bengals have rushed for 410 yards the last two games, which is their best two-game run in 10 years. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

!**Eagles Fall To Panthers On MNF **
Things in Philadelphia continue to get worse, as the Eagles fell to the Carolina Panthers 30-22 at home on Monday Night Football. The Eagles have dropped to 3-8 on the year, losing their last seven games. Another loss has increased speculation that longtime Head Coach Andy Reid will not be back in Philadelphia next season. [SI.com] Monday, Nov. 26

!Steelers Season Continues To Slip Away With Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers dropped to 6-5 on the year and three games back in the AFC North behind the Ravens. The eight turnover effort doomed the Steelers, who are desperate for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to get back in the lineup this weekend against the Ravens. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

!**Browns Pull Off Upset**
The Cleveland Browns pulled off an upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, taking down Pittsburgh 20-14 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Steelers turned the ball over eight times in the loss, and the Browns beat Pittsburgh for just the second time in their last 18 matchups. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

!Bengals Pummel Raiders 
Carson Palmer's Cincinnati homecoming didn't go quite as well as the former No. 1 overall pick would have liked. The Bengals topped the Raiders 34-10, and Palmer was held in check throughout the afternoon. With Sunday's win, the Bengals are now tied with the Steelers in the AFC North race. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

!**49ers Top Saints **
The San Francisco 49ers improved to 8-2-1 on the season with a 31-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome. The 49ers gave Colin Kaepernick the start, and the second-year quarterback proved to be up to task in leading the 49ers to the win.  [SI.com]