Entering the season, the Ravens were projected to be the top team in the AFC North. Things started out poorly for them with a devastating loss in Buffalo and a 1-5 start to the season. Lamar Jackson got injured, and it only complicated matters. The Steelers got off to a tremendous start, and the Bengals started 2-0 before Joe Burrow suffered what could be a season-long injury.
Steelers leading for now:
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to throw in the third quarter of the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Oct. 16, 2025.
Now we are 9 weeks through the season, and although record-wise, the Steelers are atop the division, they certainly don’t look like they are the best team in the division. The Steelers offense with Aaron Rodgers has been better than expected, yet their usually top-notch defense has let them down time and time again this season, leading to questions about just how good this team really is.
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Bengals and Browns:
Oct 16, 2025; 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 offense is fantastic since Joe Flacco took over, so even without Joe Burrow, they are able to put up big points, but their defense is atrocious, and it’s why they shouldn’t be considered true contenders in the division. We saw clear evidence of this in their week 8 loss to the New York Jets, who entered the game winless on the year.
The Browns have a championship-caliber defense, but their offense is one of the worst in the league. This was to be expected, of course, as the Browns offense is in a complete rebuilding phase, and for them to finish in last place would surprise no one. Dillon Gabriel has done an okay job starting at QB for them, but he is not a difference maker, and at some point, we might see Shedeur Sanders get an opportunity.
The Ravens Path:
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Lamar Jackson quarterbacking the Baltimore Ravens | Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Finally, we are back to where we started with the Ravens. Despite their injuries and horrible 1-5 start, they are right there in the divisional race, and now that Lamar Jackson is back, they should be considered the most feared team in the division. Their defense has struggled for most of the season, but has been much better over the past couple of weeks.
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The winner of this division is likely to end the season with a 10-7 record, which means the Ravens will have to go 7-2 in the final 9 weeks of the year. Over the next 5 weeks, the Ravens will play 4 divisional games and the New York Jets. If they are able to win 3 of those 4 divisional games, they will be at .500 or better for the season, and more importantly, likely be in first place.
Considering they were counted out at 1-5, the Ravens battling back and winning the division would be quite the story in the 2025-2026 season. Who do you think the best team in the AFC North is?
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