As the Pittsburgh Steelers rested during their bye week, they achieved favorable results. They didn't have to lift a finger, and their lead within the AFC North grew. It was a weekend of interesting outcomes as the NFL tries to solve which teams are contenders and which are pretenders. The Steelers are leaning towards becoming contenders this season with a 3-1 record.
Nothing has been pretty for Pittsburgh during its first four games of action, but they have found ways to win. Teams around the league wish they possessed that trait, especially with several top contenders leading the standings while many other clubs remain stuck in a crowded field. That congestion will begin to clear up in the coming weeks, but for now, the picture remains murky.
The AFC North finds itself in a unique position this season, with two teams grappling with quarterback issues and another dealing with a mountain of injuries.
The Steelers have their own set of problems, but they are set in a solid pathway to success following their bye week. Their schedule gets more difficult, but after Week 5 of the season, Pittsburgh continues to go in the right direction.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hierarchy in the AFC North division standings continues to improve
It was a great weekend of football for Steelers fans, who watched every other team in the division suffer a loss. Not only did they lose, but their path to losing was something positive for Pittsburgh. Each team showed trouble during Week 5 of the season, and it might be difficult for them to recover. If the Steelers stay healthy, their chances of contending for a title will continue to rise.
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The Cincinnati Bengals are in for a season full of hurt, and their division standing continues to tank. Jake Browning hasn't done much of anything on offense, and it leaves many wondering if they would trade for former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson to salvage their season. Pittsburgh should have one less worry in the division without the Bengals in the picture.
No team within the AFC North has been more disappointing than the Baltimore Ravens.
They got blown out at home against the Houston Texans this past weekend. Baltimore was missing several key starters, but they're quickly running out of time to recover from their 1–4 start. They should get better, but the Ravens must win a lot of games to have a shot at the playoffs. The Steelers will struggle against Baltimore this season, but it shouldn't be as challenging.
The Cleveland Browns have three quarterbacks, which means they have none.
Dillon Gabriel showed positive signs in his first NFL start, but it wasn't enough to win the game. The Steelers will do their best to press the rookie signal-caller into poor decisions. Pittsburgh should get a division win coming out of Week 6. They should have a clear avenue to two wins over Cleveland.