Fansided

Is The AFC North The Best Division In The NFL?

By Glenn Moore

Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Steelers defenders during the second half at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won the game, 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Steelers defenders during the second half at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won the game, 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With each team at or over the .500 mark, the AFC North is the best division in the NFL this season.

Don’t look now, but the AFC North has quietly become the best division in the NFL.

Going into Week 8, the AFC North is the only division in the NFL with three teams hauling a winning percentage. And the only other team in the division without a winning record is sitting at .500 with a matchup against a winless team on Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns all have a record of .500 or better, the only division that can proclaim the feat in the NFL.

The tight race will set up some dramatic weeks of football between the four teams and the division crown could come down to the final week when the Browns face the Ravens and Bengals take on the Steelers.

The Browns and Bengals also have to face each other twice and each team holds key games against opponents outside their division.

Here’s how each team in the AFC North have fared so far this season and what the rest of the year looks like:

Oct 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) reacts after a safety in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) reacts after a safety in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens (5-2, 1st place in AFC North)

The Ravens sit on top of the division and are one of the top teams in the AFC.

After losing Anquan Boldin after the 2012 season, the Ravens were looking for a physical receiver. Adding Steve Smith in the offseason via free agency filled that void.

The defense is the NFL’s top scoring unit at giving up just 14.9 points per game and rookie linebacker C.J. Mosley has developed into a key player in his first year.

Joe Flacco has reemerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, throwing for 1,854 yards, 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

If the Ravens want to hold onto to first place, they will have to get through the next two games on their schedule. They face the Bengals and Steelers in back-to-back games on the road.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1, second place)

The Bengals were looking like the early favorites to run away with the AFC North, but in their last three games, they have tied once and lost the other two.

Yet, they still find themselves in the hunt for the division crown.

Wide receiver A.J. Green’s recovery from his injured right big toe is key to the Bengals overtaking the Ravens in the division.

But the defense has been the team’s Achilles’ heel, which ranks 31st in total defense (416.7 yards per game) after entering the season considered one of the team’s strengths.

After starting the season as an early favorite, the Bengals will have to fight through a tough schedule to make the playoffs. They face the division-leading Ravens on Sunday and has two remaining games against the Browns and two against the Steelers. Add one game against the Denver Broncos, and you have one tough schedule.

Oct 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Sean Spence (51) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Sean Spence (51) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3, third place)

The Steelers have alternated between wins and losses in each week this season. And if the pattern continues, they will lose this Sunday.

If Pittsburgh wants to be a realistic contender in the tough AFC North, they will have to break the pattern and win a couple games in a row.

Their win Monday night against the Houston Texans was a perfect example of the team’s play this season. Coming back from a 13-0 deficit with 24 unanswered points. It’s been a roller coaster ride so far.

The offense should be able to hold their own with the trio of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown. But the defense will need to step up if Pittsburgh wants any chance to stay in the race.

The unit currently is 16th in scoring defense (23.1 points per game).

Looking ahead, the Steelers face a tough Indianapolis Colts club this Sunday. They then host the Ravens in Week 9 and still have two games against the Bengals late in the season.

Cleveland Browns (3-3, fourth place)

For one week, the Browns were riding high as the surprise team in the NFL. The team was coming off an impressive 31-10 win over the Steelers and improved to 3-2.

Going into last week’s game against the Jaguars, the next three opponents on the Browns’ schedule were a combined 1-16 and fans were talking about this team being 6-2.

But the Browns left Jacksonville with a disappointing 24-6 defeat, leaving some fans to press the panic button. The loss even brought back the quarterback debate between Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel.

The Browns face the Oakland Raiders this Sunday in a winnable game and it’s a chance to get back some of the confidence. But the rest of their schedule doesn’t look so easy.

They hold the toughest remaining schedule in the division with two games against the Bengals, including a key Week 10 Thursday night showdown, one against the Colts, one against the Panthers and one against the Ravens.

Mix in key injuries to the offense and defense and the Browns have a rough climb to the top of the AFC North. These next two winnable games are must-wins for Cleveland. But this season has a different feel surrounding the team and Cleveland will look to shake off the “same old Browns” motto.

More from FanSided

Home/Baltimore Ravens