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How Will Steelers Stack Up Against AFC North?
With the start of AFC North play looming, how will the Pittsburgh Steelers stack up against the divisional opponents in 2024?
As the 2024 NFL season continues into its second half, the AFC North remains as competitive as ever, with three teams very much in the mix for playoff contention. The Pittsburgh Steelers lead the division at 7-2, thanks to a strong defense and an offense that has clicked since Russell Wilson’s return to the starting lineup.
Right behind them, the defending division champion Baltimore Ravens (7-3) are making a push to secure back-to-back titles, led by an MVP-caliber season from Lamar Jackson. The Cincinnati Bengals, despite sitting at 4-6, are poised to make a playoff run, with Joe Burrow playing at an elite level and a favorable stretch of games ahead.
At the bottom of the division, the Cleveland Browns (2-7) are struggling through a tough season marked by injuries and quarterback uncertainty, but they remain a team with potential to spoil the plans of their rivals. With the stakes high and rivalries intensifying, the second half of the season promises drama and crucial matchups for all four teams.
Baltimore Ravens
Record: 7-3, 2nd place AFC North
Remaining Schedule: @PIT, @LAC, PHI, BYE, @NYG, PIT, @HOU, CLE
The Baltimore Ravens are right on the heels of the Steelers, sitting in second place with a 7-3 record, and they face a pivotal matchup this week against Pittsburgh that could go a long way in determining the division winner. The Ravens have made some strategic moves to bolster their roster, including trading for wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Panthers and cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Rams. Johnson, who spent five seasons with the Steelers, brings a wealth of AFC North experience, and his return to Pittsburgh this Sunday adds another layer of intrigue to this critical game. While the Ravens’ offense has been clicking with Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level, their defense has been far less consistent. After two disappointing losses to the Raiders and Browns—teams they should have beaten—Baltimore has struggled to maintain momentum. A heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs on opening night, where a late touchdown by tight end Isaiah Likely was ruled incomplete due to a toe-tapping controversy, only added to the frustration.
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Despite these setbacks, the Ravens’ offense has been a juggernaut. Lamar Jackson, playing arguably his best football as a passer, is the clear front-runner for MVP honors. His ability to dominate both through the air and on the ground has made the Ravens one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. Additionally, the addition of Derrick Henry has proven to be a game-changer, with the running back looking like a legitimate Offensive Player of the Year candidate. The Ravens’ Super Bowl hopes are alive, but they’ll need their defense to step up, particularly in the pass game, where they’ve been vulnerable. The play of safety Kyle Hamilton has been a bright spot, as he’s emerged as one of the top safeties in the NFL, though his recent injury is a concern. The loss of veteran defensive tackle Michael Pierce, though not expected to be season-ending, is another hit to the defensive line. If the Ravens can tighten up their pass defense and Lamar Jackson can continue his MVP-level play in big games, they could be primed for a deep playoff run. But for that to happen, their defense must start showing the consistency needed to contend for a title, beginning with this critical showdown against Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 4-6, 3rd place AFC North
Remaining Schedule: @LAC, BYE, PIT, @DAL, @TEN, CLE, DEN, @PIT
At 4-6, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves in a precarious position, but they may just be the best 4-6 team the NFL has seen in years. Quarterback Joe Burrow is playing at an incredibly
high level—arguably better than any other QB in the league right now—but unfortunately, the team’s overall results haven’t matched his elite performance. Alongside him, Ja’Marr Chase continues to be one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the game, and their connection always gives the Bengals a shot to win, no matter the opponent. But as the clock ticks down on their playoff hopes, the Bengals need to win their next two games—against the Chargers and Steelers—to keep their postseason aspirations alive. It’s a tall order, but with Burrow and Chase leading the charge, there’s still hope. Additionally, the Bengals have found a nice rhythm with free-agent addition Mike Gesicki at tight end, who is developing solid chemistry with Burrow, offering another weapon in the passing game as the team searches for consistency.
Despite the offensive firepower, the Bengals’ defense has been a major issue this season, allowing a troubling 26.2 points per game, which has put extra pressure on Burrow to produce high-scoring affairs. Injuries have also ravaged the team, with key contributors like running back Chris Evans, safety Dax Hill, and tackle Trent Brown all sidelined for the season. These losses have compounded the team’s struggles, particularly on defense and in the running game. The absence of star wide receiver Tee Higgins has also been felt deeply; the Bengals are just 1-4 without him this season, and their offense clearly lacks the same rhythm and explosiveness without Higgins on the field. To make matters worse, starting left tackle Orlando Brown has been dealing with a knee and fibula injury, though he’s expected to return soon. With several injuries derailing their season and a porous defense, the Bengals’ window to make a playoff run is quickly closing. However, with Burrow playing at an MVP level, the Bengals are not out of the race yet—but they must find a way to put it all together in these next crucial games.
Cleveland Browns
Record: 2-7, 4th place AFC North
Remaining Schedule: @NO, PIT, @DEN, @PIT, KC, @CIN, MIA, @BAL
The Cleveland Browns have found themselves mired in an overwhelming combination of injuries, underperformance, and long-term uncertainty, making 2024 a lost season. After Deshaun Watson’s Achilles injury ended his season, Jameis Winston stepped in, offering a slight improvement in quarterback play, but the damage had already been done. With Watson’s future in serious doubt and no clear solution at the quarterback position, the Browns are stuck in a frustrating limbo. General Manager Andrew Berry faced tough questions about the team’s direction during his bye-week chat with the media, but his answers offered little clarity. His response to whether a rebuild was necessary was non-committal, deflecting any major decisions until the offseason. Meanwhile, the trade of veteran players like wide receiver Amari Cooper and pass rusher Z’Darius Smith—both of whom were dealt away to contenders—signals that the front office is resigned to the reality that this season is over. With five of their remaining eight games on the road, the Browns are simply trying to finish out the year without completely bottoming out. But with Watson’s massive contract weighing heavily on their cap space and no clear path forward at quarterback, the franchise’s outlook beyond this season is bleak.
On the field, the Browns’ struggles have been compounded by injuries, particularly to star players like running back Nick Chubb and the offensive line, which has been decimated by various ailments. Chubb, who made his return after tearing his MCL and ACL last season, has been nowhere near the dominant force he once was, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry in 2024—a stark drop from his previous seasons where he averaged well over 5 yards per attempt. This has left the Browns’ offense sputtering, unable to find any consistency. Meanwhile, the defense, which has often carried the team in past seasons, has also faltered, partly due to the lack of offensive support. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has admitted to the frustration surrounding the team but insists that the focus remains on trying to improve week to week. However, with the roster in a state of flux and no clear vision for the future, the Browns are in the midst of a painful rebuilding phase. The reality is that 2024 is effectively over, and the question now is whether they can find a way to correct their course heading into 2025. Drafting a quarterback seems like the most logical next step, but with Watson’s looming contract, it’s unclear how much flexibility the team will have to make the changes necessary to truly reset the franchise. For now, Cleveland is left to stew in the mess that Watson’s contract and the injuries have created, with little hope of immediate redemption.