AFC North Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Steelers creating space

The Pittsburgh Steelers are distancing themselves from the rest of the AFC North, adding their fifth win to their streak.

Week 10 was like an episode of the “Twilight Zone”. The Patriots lost to the Titans, the Bucs had over 500 total yards but only scored 3 points, and the Browns beat the Falcons!

The AFC North is still up for grabs, but the Pittsburgh Steelers show no signs of letting it go. After nearly a perfect game on Thursday Night Football, the Steelers remain atop the Power Rankings.

The Browns pulled off quite the performance against what seemed to be a potentially dangerous Falcons team. The win puts them dead even with the Ravens in this weeks power rankings. Coming away with the win, 28-16, the Browns put on a show! Baker Mayfield threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

The real star was the rookie, Nick Chubb, gaining 176 yards on 20 carries, and two total touchdowns. The Cleveland defense also showed up, sacking Matt Ryan twice, holding them to under 400 total yards, and forced two turnovers. The fog is starting to lift in the city of Cleveland, as once again, the future looks secure for the franchise. They enter the “bye week” before traveling to Cincinnati and Houston in back to back weeks.

The Ravens had their “Bye” so I’m not going to drop them to the bottom of the rankings…but boy are they close. After falling to the Steelers, the Ravens now only sit a game and a half ahead of the Browns, who they already lost to this season.

Baltimore plays the equally struggling Bengals,  in what becomes a season-defining game for this Ravens team. Joe Flacco needs to find his rhythm, or else he might lose the only head coach he’s ever had, in John Harbaugh.

These Cincinnati Bengals desperately need a win, losing three of their last four. Against the Saints, the struggles continue. Falling 51-14, they failed to eclipse 300 total yards. They also gave away two turnovers, and allowed 244 rushing yards…RUSHING yards. Granted, Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram are two of the best, but that’s a ton of yards. Andy Dalton didn’t help, throwing for 153 yards, a touchdown, and two picks. Joe Mixon only rushed for 61 yards on 11 carries.

The Bengals sit in second place in the North, as they visit the rival Ravens in a do-or-die situation for both franchises.

The Pittsburgh Steelers played a near perfect game against the Carolina Panthers, earning the victory 52-21. The defense sacked Cam Newton five times, held the Panthers to under 100 rushing yards, and forced two turnovers. Big Ben dominated, throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns. He also had a perfect passer rating at 158.3.  Antonio Brown had six catches for 96 yards and a score, while James Conner rushed for 65 yards and a score.

This team played great on both sides of the ball, and knocked one of the best teams in the NFC down a peg. The division is controlled by Pittsburgh, and is theirs to lose. They head to Jacksonville to meet the Jaguars in a game that can further secure the division title for this Steelers team.