The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a must-have win over the 2-5 New Orleans Saints in Paris, but they aren't the only AFC North team that found success in Week 7. The Cleveland Browns escaped Tennessee with a 27-24 win over the Titans.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens went toe-to-toe last week, as the Bengals trounced a Lamar Jackson-less Ravens squad in a 35-13 victory.
We have seen some seismic shake-ups in the AFC North power rankings in the first half of the 2026 season, and something tells me that's not going away anytime soon. Week 8 features a Steelers revenge game against the Browns that could have major divisional implications.
Week 8 AFC North power rankings have Pittsburgh Steelers moving back one spot despite recent win
4. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
Which version of the Baltimore Ravens are we talking about here? The one with or without two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson? It makes all the difference in the world.
Without Jackson, the Ravens might be one of the most suspect teams in the league. With him, they have the look of a true contender. Unfortunately for Baltimore, Lamar can't be counted on to stay healthy. The Ravens looked awful in their blowout defeat at home against the Bengals.
And things aren't about to get any easier.
The Ravens will be on the road against the Buffalo Bills this week. Fortunately for them, Jackson is expected to play. However, two straight divisional losses against the Browns and Bengals aren't doing them any favors, and this team that once sat atop the AFC North standings now finds itself at the bottom. A massive win over the Bills in Week 8 would undoubtedly change that.
3. Cleveland Browns (5-2)
I'm not picking on Browns fans by having Cleveland third in the AFC North power rankings, and if they sweep the Steelers with a victory in Week 8, I vow to move them ahead of Pittsburgh. However, I'm still not a believer in this team.
Todd Monken's team was knotted with the now 1-6 Titans with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter before Andre Szmyt kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. Meanwhile, the Browns rank 24th in EPA offense, RBSDM Stats, and 21st in total DVOA—all of which are worse than the other three teams in the division.
Still, Cleveland finds a way to keep winning games. If they claim a Week 8 victory over the Steelers, we'll have no choice but to start giving some respect to their name.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
I can't say that the Steelers' Week 7 win over the Saints was convincing. Despite bullying New Orleans in the trenches, Mike McCarthy's team came away with just a 16-10 win in Paris. However, the Steelers seem to be trending in the right direction.
What makes them potentially threatening is how well they've been running the football and shutting down opposing running games. Obviously, we need to see Aaron Rodgers and the passing offense improve, and there were a few signs of life in Week 7 (like the 51-yard bomb to DK Metcalf).
With the 7th-ranked EPA defense and the 9th-ranked team DVOA, the Steelers are a team trending up; they just need to put it all together.
1. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)
Technically, two teams in the division have a better record than Cincinnati, but this is largely because the Bengals have already had their bye week. Though the Steelers narrowly defeated the Bengals back in Week 3, Zach Taylor's team has quietly been one of the best in the league so far.
After a blowout win over the Ravens, the Bengals are now 4-2. Their EPA offense ranks 6th, while their defense ranks 11th. Meanwhile, the Bengals are 2nd in the NFL in total DVOA, per FTN Fantasy.
Now the Bengals get a home matchup against the Titans that could make them look even better after Week 8. Cincy feels like the team to beat in the AFC North right now.
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