Week 8 in the NFL is officially in the books, and the week that was in the AFC North saw more of the same with the Pittsburgh Steelers keeping a stronghold on the division lead.
Time to recap what happened in the AFC North this past week, but before that, time to update the standings:
AFC Standings Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers - 6-2
Baltimore Ravens - 4-4
Cincinnati Bengals - 3-4
Cleveland Browns - 0-8
Week 8 AFC North Games:
Baltimore Ravens — 40
Miami Dolphins — 0
Did the Dolphins even show up in this game? Kiko Alonso did, in the form of trying to decapitate Joe Flacco. Flacco sustained a concussion, and his availability in Week 9 is anything but certain as the Ravens try to keep pace in the division with a big conference game vs. the Titans awaiting in Week 9.
Week 9 opponent: BAL at TEN
Cincinnati Bengals — 24
Indianapolis Colts — 23
Let’s be honest, the Bengals kept their season alive with the win over the Colts, and after an 0-3 start to the season they have very little margin for error the remainder of the way. Their next week’s test won’t get any easier as they travel to play the Jaguars, who are coming off a bye week.
Week 9 opponent: CIN at JAX
Minnesota Vikings — 33
Cleveland Browns — 16
The Browns have been the butt of so many jokes it is hard to even make fun of them anymore. After being abused in England, the team head’s back to the states heading into the bye week with a myriad of questions surrounding the team. Will Hue Jackson actually get a chance to revitalize the team, or will the team continue their coaching carousel?
Week 9 opponent: BYE
...
With the Steelers holding down the fort atop the AFC North, which team do you think will be their stiffest competition down the stretch? Will the Ravens turn it on, or will the Bengals start to surge? I suppose the rest of the division could fall off, making the Steelers’ back half of the schedule a lot less daunting, but not too many people would necessarily believe that.
Either way, let us know what you think about the state of the AFC North in the comment section below!