AFC North standings see Steelers riding off a high heading into Week 13

Week 12 of the NFL brought mixed results around the AFC North division. It created some shockwaves across the standings as two teams won and the other two lost. It has made for some big differences across the board. All four clubs remain tight in the division, but things are starting to take shape. It is going to be a race to the finish line.

Both the Steelers and Ravens were able to win their respective games this past weekend. They will need to find different ways to top one another each week if either wants to finish first for the AFC North crown. The Browns are still in the hunt, but they are coming off a tough loss on the road against the Broncos. Cincinnati seems like a lost cause the rest of the way.

The Bengals sit at a losing record after another tough AFC North loss

Back to a losing record for the Bengals after a season-altering loss against the Steelers on Sunday. It seemed like a prayer was sent up to the Heavens only for it to be swatted back down to earth. Cincinnati lost Joe Burrow for the remainder of the season due to injury. That will derail most clubs' seasons, and it seems like it will happen to them.

Other than a couple of plays that set their offense up to succeed, the Bengals were not able to do much against the Steelers' defense. Their only hope will be a solid defensive effort to keep them in games that can set up their offense to make plays going forward. This past game sunk them back to a losing record, which they took forever to dig out of earlier this year.

The good news is that Cincinnati gets an extra day of rest and preparation this week. The bad news is that they go on the road to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are a team that has been struggling with consistency over the past couple of weeks but is a young and skilled group. The Bengals are going to have their hands full on both sides of the ball.