AFC North standings: Steelers try to keep their heads above water heading into Week 9

It was an even record for the AFC North division as two teams lost and the other two were victorious. Week 9 of competition will not get any easier for these four clubs that call the north home. Things have gotten tighter in the standings, and some teams are on a positive track while others seem to be starting to show some true colors.

The Steelers and Browns have a lot of question marks moving forward and it seems like an uphill battle for them. Both the Bengals and Ravens are starting to show good things that should help both clubs stay in the playoff hunt during the remainder of the season. We are now officially crossing into the important part of the season here and these teams know it.

4th: Cincinnati Bengals will make a run for the AFC North divisional crown

They might be sitting in last place right now, but the Bengals are playing some of the best football of any of the four clubs in the north. They are losing the tie-breakers even though they do have the same record as the Browns and Steelers right now. Cincinnati is on an upswing in their play and that trend should get them plenty of wins to end the year.

Joe Burrow is the big reason for the Bengals change this season after dealing with a nagging calf injury. He seems to be back to as healthy as he can possibly be going into the pivotal part of the NFL season. That is bad news for the rest of the division as it will likely cause the Steelers and Browns to sink when they play Cincinnati again.

Next up is under the lights on Sunday night at home against a tough Buffalo Bills squad. This could be an AFC playoff matchup preview here. Both offenses have struggled in certain games, but both also have solid defenses that go unnoticed sometimes. It should be a tough battle that comes down to whoever has the ball last.