The Bottom Line:
The Ravens have been a better team than any of their AFC North foes. The Steelers are the x-factor in this equation. They have one of the best passing attacks in the NFL and have put up the seventh most points per game. If the Steelers are for real, this is a legitimate three horse race. Here’s the thing, if the Ravens take care of the games in front of them, they shouldn’t worry about the AFC North. It’s there’s for the taking.
Pittsburgh gives up 25.7 points per game and allows 380.2 yards per game. The Ravens already beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh, and they know Joe Flacco can surgically dissect Mike Tomlin’s defense. The Ravens also have gotten all their division road games out of the way. The Ravens are undefeated outside of Ohio and they don’t have to go back to that state this season. The Ravens are a more complete team than the Bengals. If the Steelers become a factor, the Ravens just have to knock them down one more time and stay in front of them. The most complete team in the AFC North is the Ravens and it isn’t even close.
The Ravens can win the AFC North. They have two tough games ahead of them with the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers. If the Ravens win just one of those games, they will leave the first half of the season with a 5-3 record and will be in a good position. Then the Ravens have a chance to put themselves in a full fledged driver seat with back to back games hosting the Steelers and Bengals. The division is there, the Ravens just have to take it. Judging by the numbers, they will.