AFC North Power Rankings: Ravens rise after Steelers stumble in Week 5

As Week 5 comes to a close, we're starting to learn a lot about each AFC North team. Some teams are rising to the occasion while others are showing major flaws. Following a 1-3 week, where does each team in the division fall in the weekly power rankings? Let's find out.

4. Cleveland Browns (1-4) LW: 4

What the heck is going on in Cleveland right now? Just when you think the season's reached a low point, the Browns remind you they can go lower. A 34-13 loss to the Commanders on Sunday showed just that.

The defense struggled to contain Jayden Daniels and am improving Commanders' offense. Even with Washington being a better offense than most anticipated, giving up 434 yards is bad for a defense that was supposed to be one of the best in the league.

They allowed 215 yards on the ground on over 6 yards a carry. That unit has been disappointing this season and continues to let the Browns down. But this loss was more about the continued struggles of the offense.

I can confidently say that Deshaun Watson is the worst starting quarterback in the NFL right now. Game after game he gets worse and worse as he leads the Browns toward the bottom of basically every single offensive statistic. He's a complete joke of a quarterback and that trade looks worse and worse every single week.

The Browns are in big trouble right now. Their offense stinks. The defense is disappointing. And nothing seems like it's going to change. The only thing that's going to change is their schedule. They couldn't beat the Giants and Raiders and now they have to play contenders from both conferences. Yikes.

Next week: @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

3. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) LW: 3

Similar to the Browns, the Bengals have dug themselves a 1-4 hole to start the season. They're above the Browns because they have at least a facet of their team in a good spot after a 41-38 overtime loss to the Ravens.

Joe Burrow looked like the Burrow of old, throwing for almost 400 yards and 5 touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase had his best of the season, catching 10 passes for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns. That's an encouraging sign for a Bengals offense that started the season slow. They'll look to carry that momentum with them going forward.

The defense continues to be an issue for the Bengals and is lowering their ceiling as a team. They allowed over 500 yards and 41 points to the Ravens. Over the past four games, the Bengals have allowed 26, 38, 34 and 41 points respectively. That's not going to get it done in the NFL. That unit needs to improve soon.

The Bengals will need to start winning a lot of games quickly in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. I don't know if that defense is up to the task.

Next week: @ New York Giants (2-3)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) LW:1

For the first time this season, the Steelers find themselves out of the number one spot on the power rankings. It's very deserved following a pitiful 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

The offense was bad once again, failing to take advantage of a banged-up Cowboys defense. Justin Fields took multiple steps back from last week. The running game was non-existent and George Pickens did next to nothing outside of complaining and dropping critical third-down passes. It was an abject failure for a unit that's been an abject failure for five seasons now. Something needs to change with the offense and soon because I can't deal with watching another anemic offense this season.

The defense doesn't get let off the hook here either. While they only allowed 20 points and forced three turnovers, that unit failed to get the stop when the team needed it. I credit more of those turnovers to bad plays from Dak Prescott. The defense allowed 445 yards and Dallas converted 9 of their 15 third downs, which is pathetic. The third-down defense needs to improve now. Throw in an injury to Nick Herbig and this was a bad night.

Following a 3-0 start, the Steelers have slipped up in back-to-back weeks. While it's not the end of the world, it is a cause for concern. I need to see a win next week to calm those down.

Next week: @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-3)

1: Baltimore Ravens (3-2) LW: 2

After that crazy 41-38 overtime win over the Bengals, the Ravens find themselves at the top of this week's power rankings.

Lamar Jackson was magnificent on Sunday, throwing for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns. Derrick Henry, Isaiah Likely, and Zay Flowers also performed very well. That offense looks like it's finally hitting its stride, which is dangerous for other AFC contenders. A very good game for that unit.

The defense struggled to contain the Bengals' passing game, allowing close to 400 passing yards They'll need to sure this up going forward if they want to win games in January. The run defense was very good, holding the Bengals to 71 yards and 3 yards a carry on the ground. It was far from perfect for the defense, but the offense was able to pick them up.

The Ravens seem to be rounding into form and took advantage of a Steelers loss to hop into the top spot. They'll look to keep this spot by winning again next week.

Next week: vs Washington Commanders (4-1)