AFC North power rankings: Steelers slip to the bottom, Bengals rise

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) runs with a catch before being brought down inside the one yard line by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42).
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) runs with a catch before being brought down inside the one yard line by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42). /
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Joe Burrow (9) walks the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. /

1. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

I know the Bengals still have a worse record than the Ravens, but while Baltimore seems to have plateaued, Cincinnati is coming off back-to-back blowout wins. They humiliated the Raiders on the road in Week 12 before trouncing the Steelers on Sunday.

This is a team that currently ranks 6th in the NFL in both points scored and points allowed, according to Team Rankings, and there is no reason to believe they can’t be a legitimate contender this year.

Joe Burrow is the real deal and he has played some of his best football over the past two weeks. Despite just an average offensive line, the Bengals have very good skill players and a defense that is playing much better than anyone could have expected.

The elite connection of Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase has made a massive difference for this football team in 2021, and they are currently the best team in the AFC North with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

Trending. 4 takeaways from the Steelers pathetic showing vs Bengals. light

As we approach the final stretch of the season, these power rankings are certainly subject to change. As of now, the Steelers are the bottom team in the AFC North as the Bengals are flying high.