The AFC North continues to be one of the most unpredictable divisions in football, with every week shaking up the standings and challenging expectations. One team pulled off a clutch win under the primetime lights, another took advantage of a timely bye to regroup, and another delivered one of its most dominant performances of the year.
Here’s how the AFC North teams stack up in this week’s power rankings.
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1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Despite the Steelers losing against the Bengals this week, they are still the best team in the division. They have struggled at times with consistency on both sides of the ball, but they have shown themselves to be the best team in the north, and they can hang with any opponent. The Steelers are entering the more difficult portion of their schedule, so we will have to see if they are truly up to the test and able to keep the number 1 spot in the power rankings.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Flacco
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
The Bengals are one of the NFL’s most exciting teams right now. They are lighting up the field with Joe Flacco and all the weapons in Cincinnati. The Bengals offense is vastly improving as the season goes on, and the defense has shown signs of life and being able to stop something at least. The Bengals are improving and improving; they can easily take the number 1 spot in the power rankings very soon.
3. Cleveland Browns
Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) drops back to pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
The Browns elite defense and ability to stop any offense is what lands them at number 3, their offense continues to struggle in sustaining drives and putting up points. They have improved on both sides of the ball as the season continues, since benching Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel’s running ability has been so helpful for a struggling offense. Once the Browns are able to put it together and get some extra weapons for Gabriel, they will only get better.
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4. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium – Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The Ravens are coming off a bye week, while half of their team is injured. There is no team in the NFL that needed a bye more than the Ravens, it was very timely. The Ravens need Lamar Jackson to be the motor of the offense and continue to carry the team. The defense can take a big step up after the bye week, both from a health perspective and trying to figure out what the issue is for the team, so they can start stringing together wins. They land at 4 in the power rankings because they have simply looked bad in their first 6 games.
Final Thoughts:
The AFC North is one of the most dynamic divisions in football. Anything can change at any moment. This was seen this week, where the Steelers had won 3 straight and the Bengals had lost 3 straight, but the Bengals pulled off a great victory. The Ravens can come back at any moment. It would not be right to write them off just yet; they can string together wins like nothing, and it all starts this week for them. The Browns are probably not going to move any higher than 3 in the power ranking, but their hope is in the future.
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