AFC North Roundup: Steelers’ three game skid has Ravens set up to claim division

With Week 14 of the NFL schedule nearly officially in the books, 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 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 13 Results

Kansas City Chiefs - 27 (OT)
Baltimore Ravens - 24

This was a great game to watch, and was back-and-forth for the duration of the contest. However, when it came down to it Patrick Mahomes and company were able to make the plays when they needed it most, snatching victory out from underneath the Ravens. Talk about how different the Ravens look though with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. The offense is unconventional, but it is working. Ravens are in prime position to claim the division.

Cleveland Browns - 26
Carolina Panthers - 20

Hue Jackson must have been the cancer which kept this team from winning, because without him on the sideline the team has not just been competitive, but are winning football games. Cleveland has won 5 games this season, and don’t be stunned if Greg Williams doesn’t get a legitimate shot to be the head coach next year after this turnaround.

Los Angeles Chargers - 26
Cincinnati Bengals - 21

The Bengals, and their coaching staff, are playing for their jobs, and it doesn’t look good. Cincinnati falls to 5-8 on the season, and them remaining ‘in the hunt’ for a playoff spot seems more of a formality than a reality. Everyone wants to know if Marvin Lewis will be fired, and we all thought he would get canned after last season...and look what happened.

Oakland Raiders - 24
Pittsburgh Steelers - 21

In a game which had everything the Steelers would need to do in order to fall flat on their faces in Oakland. Miscues (Chris Boswell), poor management (Coaching Staff) and bad defense in key positions. Add that up, and you get a third straight loss and a team who at one time was considered a lock for a playoff spot now teetering on the edge of watching the playoffs.

Week 15 Schedule

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos - Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff
Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET kickoff
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Oakland Raiders - Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots - Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff

AFC North Standings

Pittsburgh Steelers - 7-5-1
Baltimore Ravens - 7-6
Cleveland Browns - 5-7-1
Cincinnati Bengals - 5-8

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Let us know what you think about the division after Week 13 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?