The AFC North is usually one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. While that remains the case this year, the situation is slightly different. All four teams in that division have significant flaws. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in first place at the moment, but the Baltimore Ravens are right behind them. However, there’s plenty of time left in the season for anyone to come out on top. Former Ravens pass rusher Terrell Suggs is confident that the Week 18 game between Baltimore and Pittsburgh will ultimately determine the AFC North winner.
“The Ravens-Steelers games are gonna be the Ravens-Steelers games,” Suggs said recently on The Arena podcast. “We’ve gotta play each other twice… It’s very tough to play in Pittsburgh. I guarantee you, mark our words here, more than likely, it’s going to come down to that game, not only who wins the division, but playoff implications.”
That wouldn’t be a surprising outcome. The Ravens are currently one game behind the Steelers, and both teams still have to play each other twice. Therefore, the outcomes of both those games will likely have a significant impact on the AFC North.
The first Steelers-Ravens game will come in a few weeks in Week 14. Currently, the Steelers look a little shaky, while the Ravens are turning their season around. Pittsburgh has lost three of its last four games, and Baltimore is on a three-game winning streak.
However, even if the Steelers lose their first game to the Ravens, they’ll still have an opportunity to win the division. Their regular-season finale will be against the Ravens in Pittsburgh. That should give the Steelers a slight advantage, especially if that game is for the AFC North. Their fans would likely show up with a lot of support.
Of course, for that scenario to occur, the Steelers will need to at least survive the rest of their schedule. That might be easier said than done, though. The Steelers have to play some of the best teams in the league, such as the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. If they continue to struggle, then the Ravens might gain enough of a lead in the division that Week 18 will matter far less.
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