The Baltimore Ravens weren’t sellers at the trade deadline. They were buyers. The rest of the AFC North? They stood pat.
Baltimore doesn’t have much of a chance to win the division anymore, but it is a non-zero chance. Their rivals also didn’t make any improvements. They’ll run it back with what they have in the second half.
I don’t want to get ahead of myself — the Ravens’ playoff odds are still in the mud. However, with the rest of the AFC North not jumping at the opportunity to take the division by the horns, Baltimore hasn’t been buried just yet. They did what they needed to do to stay in contention while their division foes got complacent.
Baltimore Ravens don’t lose much ground in AFC North at trade deadline
With the way the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) are playing, you can’t be overly optimistic about a 4-5 Ravens team emerging back in the race for the division crown. You can’t say they didn’t try patching some of their holes, though.
Cam Jurgens is looking like a solid center, and Jacoby Brissett might be able to propel the offense just far enough to keep the team alive without Lamar Jackson. Other issues like the defense and offensive line remain, but there’s talent there, and this past week’s mini bye could be what it takes for those areas to turn a corner.
On the flip side, the Bengals and Steelers have flaws of their own.
Cincinnati looks like the strongest of the bunch. That Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins trio is otherworldly.
Unfortunately for them, their defense is once again the issue. They allowed 24 points to the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, 36 points to the Tennessee Titans in Week 8, and their run defense ranks eighth-worst in the NFL.
The unit has played better than in years past. Still, they’re not overly talented. The defensive line could’ve used some depth next to Boye Mafe and Dexter Lawrence, and they tried to find that in Arnold Ebiketie, but that trade fell through.
We’ll see if their defense can hold up down the stretch. Jackson tends to have their number, so if he’s back by Week 17, Baltimore might be able to take advantage of Cincinnati’s quiet deadline.
In Pittsburgh’s case, they missed out on bolstering their core at wide receiver and cornerback. They rank roughly average to below-average in passing offense and defense.
On offense, although Germie Bernard has flashed over the last several weeks, he hasn’t been consistent enough. DK Metcalf is also a massive letdown in 2026. The Steelers are banking on Michael Pittman Jr. 's imminent return solving things.
Defensively, Jamel Dean is their only reliable outside cornerback. Their other starter, Asante Samuel Jr., is giving up a 106.8 passer rating when targeted, and there’s not much depth behind him. If Jackson comes back for those late-season Steelers matchups, Samuel is a player to expose.
This all still hinges on the Ravens somehow staying on track, and Lamar Jackson returning in time for the final four games of the season. But if that falls into place, it might not be a runaway division by the time Jackson’s back in action, especially if the AFC North beats up on each other.
It's a longshot, but Baltimore isn't dead yet.
Add us as a preferred source on Google