AFC North Week 2 standings
AFC North Week 2 standings
After three of the four AFC North teams won to open the season, things changed in a major way in Week 2.
The Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns picked up key road wins, while the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers came up short in their first losses under new head coaches.
It’s still early in the season, but things are taking shape in the rugged division.
Here’s the updated AFC North standings post-Week 2 with all four teams having played.
AFC NORTH STANDINGS THROUGH WEEK 2
1. Cincinnati Bengals: 2-0
2. Baltimore Ravens: 1-1
3. Cleveland Browns: 1-1
4. Pittsburgh Steelers: 1-1
AFC North standings after Week 2 #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/wfRDpOFYtR
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 20, 2026
As the Steelers dropped an ugly 20-3 decision to the New England Patriots in Foxboro Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens came up short in an up-and-down showing against the New Orleans Saints, 24-17.
The Ravens took a 14-6 halftime thanks to a Derrick Henry 1-yard rushing touchdown and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Rashod Bateman. But things flipped in the second half as the Saints — behind second-year QB Tyler Shough — battled all the way back.
The Ravens and Saints traded field goals to make it a 17-9 game before Shough found Chris Olave for a 21-yard touchdown pass. A 2-point conversion from running back Travis Etienne Jr. made it 17-17.
New Orleans subsequently forced a quick three-and-out and then took the lead. Shough hit tight end Juwan Johnson for a 25-yard gain and gave the Saints the lead with a 1-yard rushing touchdown before New Orleans closed out the win by intercepting Jackson.
Shough’s rushing touchdown came with some controversy as it was never clear that the ball broke the goal line.
I am more surprised that the ruling on the field in #NOvsBAL was touchdown vs instant replay standing with the on-field ruling.
After looking at all the angles in replay, I can't see the football cross the goal line. Plays at the goal line are incredibly hard to overturn because… pic.twitter.com/uWZYcr2zbp
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) September 20, 2026
Shough threw for 252 yards and a touchdown, while Olave had eight receptions for 86 yards and a score. Henry rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Ravens, while Jackson threw for 235 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Ravens will host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, but it won’t be a traditional home game. The teams will play in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, next Sunday.
After picking up a thrilling win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener, the Bengals hit the road for a tough Week 2 game against the Houston Texans in what could be a pivotal AFC playoff matchup later. The Bengals’ defense bent but didn’t break, holding Houston to just six points despite not forcing a turnover and allowing nearly 400 yards.
Ja’Marr Chase made an incredible touchdown catch and later an 18-yard scoring grab to lead the Bengals offense against arguably the best defense in football.
Joe Burrow LAUNCHES it to Ja'Marr Chase for the TD 🔥
CINvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/4eiw31KRRE
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
Joe Burrow threw for just 208 yards, but it was enough for Cincinnati to cruise to the win. Now, the Bengals will take on the Steelers in Week 3.
The Browns got on track in Week 2 in Tampa Bay, dealing with a nearly two-hour weather delay before holding on late in the game to move to 1-1 with a 23-19 win over the Buccaneers.
After looking rough in Week 1 against Jacksonville, the Browns bounced back in a big way as Deshaun Watson played his best ball, throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-30 passing. He found rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston for a 55-yard touchdown and also hit tight end Blake Whiteheart for a 17-yard touchdown, playing efficient football in the win.
Blake Whiteheart gives the Browns the lead!
CLEvsTB on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/8KxKa5GxPD
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
The Browns allowed 137 rushing yards to Tampa Bay, but they forced a turnover on downs after the delay to get into the win column.
Watson found Whiteheart for the score with 3:51 left in the fourth quarter, capping a 12-play drive before the new-look defense without star Myles Garrett stood tall in the final minutes, giving Cleveland a much-needed win. Now, the Browns will host the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.