With the Steelers and Ravens both atop the AFC North at 6-6, it is decidedly the worst division in the NFL right now. But somebody has to win it, and both sides know that the fight for the title begins on Sunday. Both teams are coming off frustrating losses, but whoever wins Sunday controls the division, despite everything that’s transpired.
That’s the message Ravens HC John Harbaugh communicated in his press conference yesterday. “We’re all now focused on the Steelers coming up”, he said, via the team’s website. “Our goal was to fight our way – play our way back into contention and position to compete for the AFC North [title], and we’ve done that. So, here we are in the last third of the season with that objective and that challenge in front of us – to go win the AFC North, which starts on Sunday”.
The Steelers began the season 4-1, while the Ravens began 1-4, ultimately falling to 1-5. But Baltimore proceeded to go on a five-game winning streak, while Pittsburgh floundered. Since the Steelers’ hot start, they have gone 2-5. And with the Ravens’ Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bengals, both teams are now 6-6.
It’s worth noting that the Ravens have the tiebreaker edge over the Steelers. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head, but they haven’t played each other yet. After that, it comes down to division record, but both teams are 2-1. So, for now, it falls to record in common games, and Baltimore has a demonstrative edge there.
But the Steelers very much control their own fate here, primarily through their two games remaining against the Ravens. If they simply win those two games, it almost doesn’t matter what else happens. They would only have to win one of their other three games to guarantee the AFC North crown. Even if the Bengals were to sweep the rest of the season, Pittsburgh would come out on top in that scenario based on common games.
But this is likely a two-horse race between the Steelers and Ravens, even if the Bengals emerging certainly isn’t impossible. While Pittsburgh and Baltimore could both fall apart, at least one has to win at least one more game. And it’s not like Cincinnati’s defense has magically become good. Even with a healthy Joe Burrow last season, the Bengals finished 9-8. They would have to win out now to go 9-8—like they did last year, granted.
Both the Steelers and Ravens have been through a lot this season. Both have earned their .500 records up to this point, if we’re being perfectly honest. But practically speaking, the path to the AFC North starts on Sunday, and both teams know that. This will be one of the most consequential games of the weekend, which is frequently the case. Let’s just hope it’s a watchable product.
