AFC North Roundup: Steelers can put pressure on division with TNF win over Carolina

With Week 9 of the NFL schedule is officially in the books and it’s time to take a look back at those teams who call the AFC North home to see how they fared and what the standings look like after this week’s action.

The first goal for each team in the NFL is to win its division. Doing so guarantees both a playoff spot and a home playoff game, so even these early-season games are important when it comes to divisional rankings.

Let’s take a spin around the AFC North to check on the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Week 9 Results

Kansas City Chiefs - 37
Cleveland Browns - 21

Give Cleveland credit, they didn’t just roll over and die, but the high-powered Chiefs were just too much for Cleveland. What is crazy were the rumors circulating the Browns on how Greg Williams’ first week at the helm resulted in the team’s best practices of the season. Seems the players aren’t afraid of throwing a little dirt on Hue Jackson’s grave as the head coach.

Pittsburgh Steelers - 23
Baltimore Ravens - 16

The Steelers put a very large dagger into the hearts of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. The loss was Baltimore’s third in a row as they limp into their bye week. While the Steelers won their fourth game in a row, the Ravens are now left with questions about their head coach and their starting quarterback.

Week 10 Schedule

Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers - Thursday Night Football - 8:00 p.m. ET
New Orleans Saints at Cincinnati Bengals - Sunday - 1:00 p.m. ET
Atlanta Falcons at Cleveland Browns - Sunday - 1:00 p.m. ET

AFC North Standings

Pittsburgh Steelers - 5-2-1
Cincinnati Bengals - 5-3
Baltimore Ravens - 4-5
Cleveland Browns - 2-6-1

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Let us know what you think about the division after Week 8 in the comment section below. Do you see this being a powerhouse division? Which teams are contenders and which ones are nothing more than pretenders?