AFC North power rankings: Steelers on top as rivals crumbled in Week 1

The NFL season is back and with that brings the return of the AFC North power rankings. It was a tough first week for one of the best divisions in the league, with a combined 1-3 record among the four teams. After a crazy week one, how do these divisional teams stack up to each other?

Without further ado, let's get started with the first edition of the 2024 AFC North power rankings.

4. Cleveland Browns (0-1)

Week 1 was a colossal failure for the Cleveland Browns. They lost at home to the Dallas Cowboys 33-17, but that score gives the Browns too much credit. A late touchdown run by Jerome Ford made the score look a bit better for the Browns. Losing to the Cowboys isn't what's so bad about this. It's how they played and specifically how their quarterback played.

Deshaun Watson was awful yesterday. He completed 24-45 passes for 169 yards (an abysmal 3.8 yards per attempt) 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He looked scared in the pocket and afraid to make decisions. The Cowboys defense is really good, but Watson looked like a deer in headlights. He's been a mess in Cleveland and the Browns are going to be in serious trouble if he plays this way the rest of the year.

You can't hit the panic button after Week 1, but this loss was super concerning for Cleveland. They need to bounce back quickly or things could spiral quickly.

Next week: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)

3. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)

The Bengals earned themselves the fourth spot on this list before the Browns' failure in the afternoon window. A 16-10 loss to the Patriots is simply inexcusable for a team that thinks of themselves as a contender in the AFC. The Patriots are in a 'rebuild' year and not even starting Drake Maye yet. It was a comedy of errors that led to this embarrassing loss for the Bengals.

The Bengals fumbled twice. They allowed 120 rushing yards to Rhamondre Stevenson, who averaged almost 5 yards a carry. Joe Burrow looked incredibly rusty, throwing for a measly 164 yards with no touchdowns. Tee Higgins didn't play, which was certainly a factor in the offensive performance, but the issues yesterday looked bigger than one wide receiver can fix.

Burrow has an excellent track record, so I'm not overly concerned about his performance today. But this game definitely put the Bengals on notice and they'll have to play better going forward to avoid another loss like this. This performance won't get it done next week in Kansas City.

Next week: @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)

2. Baltimore Ravens (0-1)

The Ravens helped open the season by playing a thriller with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night football. They came up short, losing 27-20 to the defending Super Bowl champions, but showed a lot of promise in the loss.

Lamar Jackson had a vintage performance, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding another 122 yards on the ground. Isaiah Likely had a breakout performance, putting up 9 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. He came inches away from catching what would have been the game-tying touchdown in the final seconds.

On the other side of the ball, the run defense was stout, holding the Chiefs to 72 rushing yards on 3.6 yards per carry. Unfortunately for Baltimore, Patrick Mahomes did Patrick Mahomes things and that was enough for the Chiefs to walk away with a win. The Ravens shouldn't be worried about the loss though. They look poised to be one of the best teams in the AFC once again.

Next week: vs Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

The Steelers were the only team in the division to win their Week 1 game, which earned them the top spot in this week's power rankings. Their 18-10 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons was far from perfect, but the Steelers showed flashes of what they can be this season.

The defense was incredible, allowing only 244 yards and 10 points to an improved Falcons offense. T.J. Watt was a game-wrecker, picking up a sack, a fumble recovery, and 2 TFLs (and had 2 strip sacks called off due to questionable officiating). Donte Jackson and DeShon Elliott each picked up an interception in their Steelers debuts and were big winners. That unit should continue to be elite going forward.

The offense was a work in progress. Justin Field went 17-23 for 156 yards and added another 57 on the ground. He struggled early on, but settled in and ultimately didn't make that big mistake to lose the game. George Pickens was the star of the show, catching 6 passes for 85 yards and showing off his trademark hands.

The offense will need to improve going forward, but they were good enough to pick up a win yesterday, which is all that matters.

Next week: @ Denver Broncos (0-1)