For the first six weeks of the season, the Baltimore Ravens could chalk their inconsistencies up to growing pains under a new coaching staff and Lamar Jackson's absence. Those excuses are already starting to get old.
After a brutal second half against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens sit alone at the bottom of the AFC North. Their division rivals all look threatening in their own ways, giving Jesse Minter's squad no room for error.
As the Ravens turn their attention to a critical Week 8 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, here's how the AFC North stacks up.
AFC North power rankings after Week 7
Week 7 results:
- Steelers beat Saints 16-10
- Browns beat Titans 27-24
- Bengals beat Ravens 35-13
1. Cleveland Browns don't seem to be slowing down
Surely at some point the Cleveland Browns will turn back into a pumpkin, right? Todd Monken's team keeps finding ways to win close games at the buzzer, and they got some help from the officials in their Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Cleveland's defense looks like a truly good unit, though. They play with more cohesion and physicality than the Ravens' defense does, though that's been a low bar as of late.
Even if they're not winning by traditional methods, the Browns sit atop the AFC North almost halfway through the season. It's time to start taking them seriously.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 1st @ Steelers
2. Cincinnati Bengals finally hit their groove on offense
Something in Joe Burrow woke up in the second half against the Ravens. With no warning, he became an MVP-caliber quarterback again, dicing Baltimore's defense up on connections with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Mike Gesicki.
If the Bengals' offense can keep playing like that in the coming weeks, they'll fuel a true playoff threat. Cincinnati's defense has improved enough to keep from holding the team back like it did last season.
Put simply, any team with the collection of offensive skill position talent that the Bengals have is capable of winning the division.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 1st vs. Titans
3. Pittsburgh Steelers are benefiting from a timely Aaron Rodgers resurgence
Aaron Rodgers must have discovered an anti-aging machine. He may not be matching his production from his MVP years, but he's playing significantly better than he has over the last two seasons. He's extending plays from the pocket, hitting his receivers downfield, and conducting a real offense.
Maybe the Steelers still finish with a wild-card round exit, but this team is at least competitive enough to steal a couple of games against superior opponents. This is the type of team that could beat the Ravens twice late in the season and end their playoff hopes.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 1st vs. Browns
4. Baltimore Ravens are in a freefall without Lamar Jackson
Ravens fans are checking Jackson's injury status like their lives depend on it. What was initially thought to be a minor ankle injury has held the former MVP out for three weeks now, and his availability for Week 8 still seems to be up in the air.
Even when the QB does return, the Ravens' defense might not be good enough to support a run to the top of the division.
It's not quite time to panic yet for the Ravens, but it's certainly getting close. The margin for error has become alarmingly thin.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 1st @ Bills
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