AFC North Power Rankings: Baltimore Ravens remain on top

Week 4 of the 2018 NFL season is over and the Baltimore Ravens remain on top of the AFC North with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The AFC North continues to produce exciting games each week. The Browns lost in a controversial overtime, the Bengals walked-off in Atlanta, and the Ravens and Steelers slugged it out, with Baltimore earning the knockout.

#4 Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2-1)

Not time to hit the panic button yet, but boy is it getting close. A hard 26-14 loss at home to the rival Ravens falls on the “dominant offense” this team is supposed to have. This Steelers offense refuses to score in the second half. The Steelers have 102 total points this season, only 30 of them were in the second half. Oh, and they still lead the league with 42 penalties against them.

While it seems like the season may be over, don’t get too concerned just yet. The team did manage some aspects to cheer about. Juju Smith-Schuster has over 400 yards this season, and averages 13.4 yards per catch. The team also ranks 3^rd in total passing yards per game. This week, Pittsburgh hosts a struggling Falcons team. A perfect situation for the team to turn things around before the “Bell” finally tolls for a certain highly-talented running back in Week 8…allegedly.

#3 Cleveland Browns (1-2-1)

The Cleveland Browns haven’t had a starting quarterback win their first start since coming back to the league in 1999. On the other hand, Cleveland has something to cheer about these days. Baker Mayfield, in his first start, threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two picks and lost two fumbles. Fellow rookie star Nick Chubb had a day with three carries for 105 yards and two scores. He was also cheated out of a game clinching first down, but why would the Nation Football League ever try to keep it fair in a football game?

The Browns are no joke this year, they have talent and all the potential to finish above .500. However, the same Cleveland woes continue for these dawgs. Aside from the four turnovers, they let Oakland go over 400 yards in the air and Marshawn Lynch be his old “beastmode” self (20 carries, 130 yards). The Browns host a surging Chargers team, so Baker better get the pots and pans ready for a high scoring feast.

#2 Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)

A walk-off in Atlanta, and no I’m not talking about the playoff Atlanta Braves (the catch being they won’t be hosting the division series even though they won the division! #changepostseasonbaseball). Anyways, back to Football. The Bengals pulled away with a tough win against the Falcons. Andy Dalton played great, throwing for 337 yards, three touchdowns, and a pick. AJ Green had four catches for 78 yards and ended the game with this epic touchdown catch.

Again, I know the Bengals defeated the Ravens already this season, but it’s only week 5. They let the Falcons torch them for over 500 total yards but did slip away with the victory. A game against the 3-1 Miami Dolphins at home is the perfect opportunity for this team to prove they’re the real deal.

#1 Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

“Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore! Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

Much like the poem, this Baltimore Ravens team could mark the death of the division. They completely dominated the Steelers on Sunday Night Football 26-14. Joe Flacco looks like the Joe Flacco of 2012, throwing for 363 yards and two touchdowns. John Brown torched the Steelers secondary with three catches for 116 yards and a score.

The reason I have the Ravens over the Bengals this week (yes, I know Cincinnati beat them in week 1) is because Baltimore has allowed only 65 total points over the first four weeks. They are the only team to rank in the top 5 for defensive passing, rushing, and total yards allowed per game (YPG). The Bengals sit atop the standings, but power rankings take a different approach. Always remember, defense wins championships.