The 2020 AFC North

The AFC north in recent years has been a very entertaining division. Usually it is the NFC east that gets all the coverage, but a division that at times seems to deserve it more has been the AFC north. The two big dogs of the division have been the Steelers and the Ravens, and that continues this season. We talked about how the AFC south is filled with teams that were created in the modern days of the NFL, and how that hasn’t sparked a lot of attention to the division. Well, the Baltimore Ravens, back in 1996, were lucky to be placed in a division where there is history with the Steelers, the Browns, and Bengals because they fit right in.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers handled business week 10 against the Bengals, and they are riding high as the only unbeaten team left in the NFL right this season. The Steelers at this point are just fighting to be number one seed in the playoffs. For the most part, the Steelers do not have to worry about the rest of their schedule. That is exactly why they should be worried. Some team is looking to spoil them, and could happen against the 1-8 Jaguars who put up an unexpected fight against the Packers week 10. Teams who are undefeated always end up falling. The 2015 Panthers let the Falcons give them their first taste of defeat week 16, the 2009 Saints were 13-0 until playing the Cowboys, and most famously the 18-0 Patriots fell to the Giants in super bowl 42.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens this season have beaten everyone their supposed to. I’d say except for the Patriots on Sunday night week 10. But, they have to be prepared if they want to win week 11 against the Titans who have been good so far this season. Because the AFC north is so good this year, a loss here could spiral things out of control for the Ravens, pushing them to third place in the division, and I do not think they would want to have that. Being in third place could make it really hard to even make it into the playoffs, but a win week 11, and thoughts of that difficulty get closer to going away.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns is why the AFC north is bound to get interesting. In the past two seasons, the Browns have not had a winning record after week nine, but this season, it seems they are finally making a push for the playoffs. It doesn’t happen often, but quite possibly they could be the third AFC north team to make it in the playoffs. They didn’t win pretty against the Texans week 10,  but a win is a win. Next is the Philadelphia Eagles week 11, which shouldn’t be difficult considering the Eagles have been struggling this year.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-5-1. Not only in the bottom of their division, but towards the bottom of the league. They face off against the Washington Football Team week 11. Though games between two bad teams aren’t the most anticipated they can end up being the most entertaining. The Bengals aren’t going anywhere, but it is best to just think about developing Joe Burrow anyway.