As the 2014 season began, it was clear that the AFC North would be one of the tougher divisions in football. The Cincinnati Bengals were coming off an 11-win season and division title, and though the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens struggled through 8-8 seasons, both teams are perennial contender’s year in year out.
Though the Cleveland Browns ended the year at 4-12 with seven straight losses, they were beginning to show signs of no longer being the pushover everyone had grown accustomed to.
After 12 weeks of the season, tough is one thing, but what we are seeing in the AFC North is not only borderline ridiculous, it’s historic.
With the Ravens win over the New Orleans Saints Monday night, Baltimore got their seventh win of the season, and matched the win total of all three of their divisional counterparts. To put into historical perspective, this is the first time in NFL history that every team in a division is three games over .500 at any point in the season.
In other words, at 7-4, the Browns based on tiebreakers currently occupy the basement of the division. However, no one is being fooled into believing this is the “same old Browns” helplessly looking up at their divisional rivals. In fact, it’s possible the Browns could end up winning their first division title since 1989.
In fact, a solid case could be made for each of the teams in the North. One thing is certain, with five weeks left, each team has a shot at the division, and no team can afford to slip up in such a tight race.
For the division leading Bengals (7-3-1) they clearly control their own destiny, but have a very difficult path to a division title. The Bengals still have two games remaining against the Steelers, and also travel to Cleveland. Winning all three of these games might push them over the top, as they have a likely win against the two-win Buccaneers.
However, before they travel to Pittsburgh for the final game of the regular season, they play the Denver Broncos at home, a game that will almost certainly have playoff implications for both teams. This is a tough road for the Bengals, as outside of the Tampa game, they have four very tough games ahead. The tie they got in Carolina may prove to be valuable down the stretch.
For the Ravens (7-4), one could argue they have the easiest path to the division. First, the Ravens host three of their next five, and this includes next week against the San Diego Chargers, who historically struggle to win on the east coast. The one-win Jacksonville Jaguars will play at Baltimore in December, and it’s hard to see a scenario where Baltimore falters. Their final home game is a finale against Cleveland, a game that could be huge for both teams.
The Ravens road tests will include a trip to Miami and Houston. Both teams are holding onto faint hopes of finding their way to the playoffs, so each game should be tough for the Ravens.
As for the Steelers (7-4), there is no question that like the Bengals, they essentially control their own destiny. Win out, and they will claim their first division title since 2010. The two upcoming games against the Bengals loom large for the Steelers and winning both could put the Steelers in the driver’s seat for the division.
The other good news is though the Steelers must play playoff contenders in the Saints and Chiefs, they get both at Heinz Field. Other than their trip to Cincinnati, the Steelers other road game is in Atlanta, another team fighting to make the playoffs. The good news is the Falcons have gone from being virtually unbeatable at home to a team that currently has a losing record at the Georgia Dome.
Clearly losses to the Buccaneers and Jets loom large for the Steelers, and even a win against one of those lowly teams with a combined record of 4-18 would have the Steelers at the top of the crowded AFC North. No time to look back, get to 11 wins and the Steelers should be in good shape to make the playoffs.
Finally, the upstart Browns (7-4) continue to defy the odds (and history) by keeping pace with their divisional counterparts. The real question becomes can they do it down the stretch? A trip to Buffalo won’t be easy, and home games against the Colts and Bengals could determine whether or not the Cinderella season continues. The Browns finish with road games against the floundering Carolina Panthers and Ravens; definitely not an easy path.
For all four teams in the AFC North, it’s clear there will be very little room for error if they want to win the division or make the playoffs. Any missteps or bad losses will almost certainly knock them out of the playoff race.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
