sportingnews
As the 2026 NFL season reaches its midpoint, the AFC North standings present two unexpected developments. First, all four teams hold records of .500 or better through Week 8, a scenario few anticipated. Second, the Baltimore Ravens occupy last place and risk falling out of a race many expected them to dominate, largely due to Lamar Jackson's recurring injury issues.
With nine weeks remaining before the playoffs, the division race appears to be a three-team battle among the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals, all of whom have winning records. The Steelers avenged an earlier loss by routing the Browns, while the Bengals survived an upset bid from the Titans in overtime.
Current Standings
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
- Cleveland Browns (5-3)
- Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
The Steelers hold a half-game lead over the Bengals, who have already had their bye week, and own the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to a Week 3 home victory over Cincinnati. The teams will meet again in Week 10 in Cincinnati after Pittsburgh's Week 9 bye. The Bengals are 1-1 in division play, having lost to the Steelers and beaten the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 7. The Browns are 2-1 in the division, with home wins over the Steelers in Week 4 and the Ravens in Week 6. Cincinnati and Cleveland will first clash in Week 13 in Cleveland, with a rematch in Cincinnati in Week 18. The Ravens are 0-2 in the division, having lost to both the Bengals and Browns. They will face the Steelers for the first time in Week 15 in Pittsburgh and again in Week 18 in Baltimore.
Given the possibility that Jackson may not play again this season, history suggests it is reasonable to dismiss the last-place Ravens in such a competitive division.
Second-Half Projections
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Remaining schedule strength: No. 25 in the NFL (.470). The Steelers improved to 4-0 at home on Sunday and are 2-1 in the division. They have won four straight since a tough loss at Cleveland in Week 4. Aaron Rodgers and a running game led by Jaylen Warren have kept the offense balanced and explosive. The defense has allowed an average of 14 points over the past four games, while Pittsburgh's average margin of victory has been 12 points. The Steelers will need to maintain momentum after the bye with a Sunday night rematch in Cincinnati in Week 10. Winning that game would give them a significant edge in the division race. Pittsburgh also has several favorable interdivision matchups remaining: Eagles, Texans, Panthers, and Titans. Their toughest tests are against the Broncos (home, Week 12) and Jaguars (road, Week 14). The Steelers are playing complete, complementary football, with increased big-play potential on both sides of the ball. Rodgers has thrived under Mike McCarthy, and the change from Mike Tomlin was well-timed for what is likely Rodgers' final NFL season. Pittsburgh is not a perfect team, but it displays classic mental and physical toughness with few glaring weaknesses.
Projection: Steelers finish 6-3 to end 12-5.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
Remaining schedule strength: No. 19 in the NFL (.493). The Bengals made it too interesting against the one-win Titans at home on Sunday, but Joe Burrow's MVP-caliber play bailed them out from early mistakes, including some of his own. Cincinnati's losses came at Pittsburgh in Week 3 and at Jacksonville in Week 4—both tight one-possession games they could have won. On the flip side, the Bengals also narrowly escaped losses to Tennessee, Miami, and Tampa Bay. They stand out at 3-1 on the road and 4-2 in conference play. Because of volatility with their pass-heavy offense, slow starts, and a tendency to play close games, the Bengals are week-to-week contenders. For example, playing the Falcons in Spain in Week 9 and the Chiefs at home in Week 14 set up a wide range of outcomes for tight matchups.
Projection: Bengals finish 6-4 to end at 11-6.
Cleveland Browns (5-3)
Remaining schedule strength: No. 24 in the NFL (.470). The Browns have won all five of their games because of Deshaun Watson's fourth-quarter winning drives. In their three losses, they have been outscored by a combined 50 points. Before losing to the Steelers on Sunday, they fell to the Jaguars and Jets. All five wins have been improbable; five plays going differently would have the Browns more like what everyone expected at a potential 0-8. Getting the Saints, Texans, a bye, and the Raiders makes it feel like the Browns are positioned to rebound and go on a run. But no one would be surprised if they lost all three games handily. Beyond getting Cincinnati twice, Cleveland will have to grind to beat anyone, including games against the Falcons, Giants, Ravens, and Colts. The Browns have overachieved to the point it's easy to believe there's a hard regression to the mean coming in the second half.
Projection: Browns finish 3-6 to end at 8-9.
Updated AFC North Prediction
- Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5)
- Cincinnati Bengals (11-6)
- Cleveland Browns (8-9)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-10)
The Steelers are in the driver's seat and can steer toward their first time repeating as division champions since the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Their running game and defense will become bigger strengths when the weather turns down the stretch. Even if they lose the Bengals rematch in Week 10, there's enough there to maintain their edge by at least one game in the end. The Bengals will need to be more consistent to win the division but should at least fall back on a wild-card berth. Numbers say the Browns are in for a hard fall in the second half, while the Ravens' fate seems already written.
Originally reported by sportingnews.