Nine weeks down and nine to go as we evaluate the AFC North standings. It looks to be a two-horse race between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Their schedules are examined closely below, with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns being ruled out. For curious minds, they were included in the prediction model, but finished 6-11 and 3-14, respectively.
The Ravens have a Week 10 matchup on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Having quarterback Lamar Jackson back in action gives his team the offensive edge, while the Vikings seem forced to play quarterback JJ McCarthy, whom they already benched this season. Baltimore’s elite run game also has the edge against the league’s 24th-ranked run defense. This win would put them at 4-5.
The Steelers have a tough Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Pittsburgh ranks well below them in offense, and the defensive comparison is even more embarrassing. This loss would put them at 5-4.
The Ravens travel to challenge the Browns in Week 11. Cleveland easily has the better defense, but it’s of no value if the offense isn’t scoring points. Even if that defense slows down the offense, it’s not nearly enough to keep them competitive in this game. The Ravens would improve to 5-5.
The Steelers host the Bengals in Week 11. Fans in Cincinnati have enjoyed the acquisition of quarterback Joe Flacco, and he certainly is an upgrade. The enjoyment still smells more like desperation than playoff aspiration. At the end of Week Nine, the team has the league’s worst defense and 29th-ranked offense. The Steelers would improve to 6-4, holding on to the narrow lead atop the AFC North.
Week 12 has the Ravens hosting the New York Jets in a quite favorable matchup. The Jets’ defense ranks above the Ravens, but that doesn’t mean they’re a concern. Baltimore’s offense should run all over them, and improve the team to 6-5.
Week 12 has the Steelers on the road against the Chicago Bears in an interesting matchup. The Bears are getting more yards, but fewer points. The defensive matchup is similar, with Chicago giving up fewer yards but more points. A focused team should go into Soldier Field and battle out a tough win, putting them at 7-4.
The Ravens’ soft stretch of schedule continues in Week Thirteen, when they host the Bengals. Burrow isn’t expected back until mid-December, per Yahoo! Sports, and it’s a stretch to expect his team to find a defense this season. It’s not like Baltimore has a defense either, so they may give up 20+ in this game, but their offense should double it, improving to 7-5.
Week 13 isn’t as fortunate for the Steelers, who will be hosting the Buffalo Bills. The Pittsburgh defense has fallen off a cliff after an elite 2024-25 season and ranks well below the Bills. The offenses are also incomparable; this loss drops the home team to 7-5.
The Steelers will be on the road to challenge the Ravens in Week 14. It’s an important game, not just because it’s in the division, but more specifically, for tie-breakers at the end of the year. The defenses on both sides are equally pugent, but Baltimore’s elite offense gives them a huge advantage over Pittsburgh’s mediocre one. This important swing-game improves the home team to 8-5, and their opponent drops to 7-6.
The Ravens are on the road against the Bengals in Week 15. There’s no reason to rush Burrow back this season, and even if they were still in the hunt, it’d be unlikely to see him by this point. Baltimore should keep the winning streak alive and improve to 9-5.
The Steelers will look forward to hosting the Miami Dolphins after a haul of stiff competition in Week 15. The Dolphins are falling apart and are overdue for an overhaul. Pittsburgh should improve to 8-6.
The New England Patriots will be in Baltimore for Week 16. The Patriots will present the toughest competition for the Ravens in weeks. The defensive edge easily belongs to New England, while the offensive matchup requires more projection. Baltimore currently ranks lower on the season, but is certainly the better team with Jackson at the helm. It’s a stiff test, but they would improve to 10-5.
The Steelers’ tougher schedule continues in Week 16, when they go on the road to face the Detroit Lions. It’s a matchup nightmare for Pittsburgh, going up against a top-ten offense and defense. This loss puts them at 8-7.
The Ravens’ winning streak has to come to an end at some point, and their trip to challenge the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 raises those concerns. This marks the first playoff team of yesteryear since Week Ten. The top-ten offense and defense will be matchup hell for Baltimore, who would then drop to 10-6.
The Steelers will be hungry to catch the Ravens atop the AFC North, and should enjoy their Week 17 matchup with the Browns. Cleveland’s defense will be exhausted from carrying the team all year, and their starting quarterback for that game is a shot in the dark right now. Pittsburgh should improve to 9-7.
The final week of the regular season features another game between the Ravens and Steelers, this time from Acusure Stadium. If even one of the previous predictions is wrong, this game becomes much more interesting. Otherwise, even with a loss, Baltimore still wins the division via tie-breaker.
An easier schedule and a healthy quarterback put the Ravens in line to repeat as AFC North champions. A couple of these predictions could go either way, so it’s destined to be a tight and entertaining race down the stretch.
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