AFC North Power Rankings: Steelers an afterthought to open Week 1

Now that meaningful professional football is finally back, it's time to start examining where the Pittsburgh Steelers fall in their division. Training camp and preseason performances can only show so much, and the results don't always transfer to the NFL stage (thank goodness).

While Pittsburgh's defense was impressive this summer, their offense struggled to put points on the board. As we look ahead to Week 1, we gauge what's happening in the AFC North when comparing the Steelers to their division rivals.

The results of Week 1 could prove to be enough for a few teams to flip-flop in the standings. As of now, the Steelers are an afterthought to begin the 2024 season.

1. Baltimore Ravens

We all know about Baltimore's struggles when they get to the postseason, but as far as power rankings are concerned, it's hard not to slot them atop the AFC North ahead of Week 1. The Ravens were 13-4 last season and claimed the top seed in the AFC.

During the offseason, John Harbaugh's team landed cornerback Nate Wiggins and offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten with his first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Running back Derrick Henry was arguably their most important addition of all. For a team that already lacked weaknesses, it's going to be hard to find a glaring hole.

The Ravens get a daunting task against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. If they put up a fight, they could do enough to hold onto their top spot in the AFC North standings.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

In terms of betting odds, the Bengals and Ravens are neck and neck in the race for the division to open the season, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. However, the Bengals have a bit more uncertainty with their current situation. Though Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the game when healthy, he struggled with injuries last season and only suited up for 10 games.

Burrow is back and ready to rock, but his top receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, has been sitting out of practice all summer amid a contract dispute. Additionally, the Bengals have several new starters across their roster, and their team will need some time to develop chemistry with each other.

Fortunately for them, Cincinnati has a walk in the park with a home game against the Patriots in Week 1. Dropping a must-win game on the 2024 schedule would be disastrous, but I expect the Bengals to come out swinging.

3. Cleveland Browns

Despite deploying five different starting quarterbacks during the 2023 season, the Browns somehow found a way to rack up 11 wins last year. Now that Deshaun Watson is healthy and ready to go, Cleveland could take the next step.

However, I'm not convinced that Watson is the player who's going to elevate the performance of the team. There's no question the Browns will have a great defense again in 2024, but star running back Nick Chubb is working his way back from a gruesome knee injury, and the passing game is stagnant under Watson.

Still, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that Watson went 5-1 in six games as a starter last year. Cleveland's roster didn't improve on paper as much as Pittsburgh's, but I have the Browns in the third spot in my AFC North power rankings ahead of Week 1.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Bringing up the rear in the AFC North is the Pittsburgh Steelers... at least for now. On paper, no team in the division did as much to improve their roster ahead of the 2024 season. The front office added linebacker Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott in free agency before loading up on players like Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Roman Wilson, Payton Wilson, and Mason McCormick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Most importantly, Pittsburgh revamped their lackluster quarterback room -- swapping Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph for Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen. However, we still need to see results at work.

Wilson and Fields both put up underwhelming performances in the preseason. It could take some time for this unit to gel, and until we see the fruits, it's hard to have the Steelers listed anywhere but last in the AFC North power rankings.