It's starting to look like one of those years when the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers beat each other up while beating everyone else outside the division.
For the third consecutive week, the only AFC North team that lost came at the hands of another divisional foe. And over the first seven weeks of the season, the Norths, AFC and NFC, are the only divisions where every team has a winning record.
The Browns won again in spectacular fashion. The Steelers won in France. Then, what looked like a blowout Ravens win over the Bengals in Baltimore saw the winds shift in the second half of a surprising game.
After all that, here is where the AFC North power rankings stand after Week 7, heading into yet another critical Week 8 weekend.
4. Ravens fly away with nothing in Week 7
The Ravens entered their Week 7 matchup against the Bengals, hoping not to fall to 0-2 in the division. Alas, as some of our grandparents and parents used to say when a child wanted something from the store, "people in (expletive) want ice water."
That euphemism for not getting what you want applies to what the Ravens had in store on Sunday. That is, walking away from said store empty-handed.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley had a career-best game, completing 23 of 34 passes for 298 yards, one touchdown, and one costly interception. He found most of his success throwing to wide receiver Zay Flowers, who had 137 yards and one touchdown.
Surprisingly, Baltimore couldn't get its running game into gear, as Derrick Henry carried the ball 17 times for 45 yards, averaging 2.6 yards per carry. As a team, they ran for 27 carries for 83 yards.
And while their defense appeared stellar in the first half, holding the Bengals to zero points, they gave up 35 in the second half of a game that they previously appeared to be running away with.
The Ravens now possess the longest losing streak in the AFC North with two consecutive losses. Unfortunately for them, both losses came at the hands of the two Ohio teams in the division.
The Ravens next take on the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday, when they hope to get starting quarterback Lamar Jackson back into the lineup.
3. Bengals claw their way out of the cellar
After spending a few weeks in the cellar of the AFC North, the Bengals have finally made a move. That’s thanks to a decisive come-from-behind victory over their divisional rival.
Cincinnati trailed 13-0 at halftime, with Baltimore dominating time of possession 22:20 to 7:40. But the exhausted phrase, "a tale of two halves," has never been more appropriate.
The Bengals outscored the Ravens 35-0 in the second half. Joe Burrow was fantastic, throwing 30 passes, completing 22 for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Also phenomenal was his top target, Tee Higgins, who hauled in six catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey got his wish of not covering Ja'Marr Chase every snap. Unfortunately for him, when he found himself against Tee Higgins, the results were just as bad for the veteran cornerback.
The defense played excellently in the second half, pitching a shutout after allowing several potentially back-breaking long third-down conversions and a career day to Snoop Huntley in the first half.
Cincinnati improves to 1-1 within the division while leaving Baltimore desperate to make up ground with a 0-2 mark in the AFC North.
The Bengals deserve a higher ranking than third, with the best point differential by far at +41. That is the fifth-best in the NFL. However, their head-to-head loss to the Steelers makes their further ascension impossible for now.
But before the Bengals get another shot at the Steelers in three weeks, they have a couple of games, including a game against the Tennessee Titans, next.
2. Steelers shine in the City of Lights
The Pittsburgh Steelers came to the City of Lights dressed as Sneaky Blinders and extinguished the New Orleans Saints’ chance at victory in Paris, the first regular-season NFL game in France.
Fans were fortunate the game had local lighting, since the teams on the field didn't bring much fireworks.
Pittsburgh was led by running back Jaylen Warren, who had 101 rushing yards on 18 carries.
The Steelers won 16-10, guaranteeing that they would at least keep pace with the first-place Browns before the one o’clock games kicked off.
QB Aaron Rodgers was efficient, completing 19 of 30 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown, with most of his passes (6) going to running back Rico Dowdle.
Nevertheless, the Steelers own the longest winning streak in the division at three. They are 5-2 and have an upcoming chance to take complete control of the AFC North. They play the Browns next, then face the Bengals in the second leg of their derby a week later.
1. Browns’ Week 7 win looks familiar
How the Cleveland Browns stay on top of the AFC North Power Rankings is the same way they got there in the first place. It's not just that they won, but how they did it.
Cleveland and the Tennessee Titans were tied at 24 with 58 seconds left in the game. Starting at their own 31, it took the Browns three plays to go 50 yards and put kicker Andre Szmyt in a familiar position to win the game with a field goal. And that’s exactly what he did.
By now, Szmyt is used to being put in that position. It’s the second consecutive game in which he kicked the game-winning field goal. And it is his third walk-off field goal of the season.
Usually, the Browns win with their defense. However, their offense delivered some excellent performances against the Titans.
Rookie receiver KC Conepcion led the Browns with eight catches for 129 yards. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. added six receptions for 81 yards. Their QB, Deshaun Watson, completed 26 of 36 passes, throwing for 308 yards. He also had a rushing touchdown.
While the Browns’ division worst -13 point differential suggests that they should be lower in the power rankings, their 2-0 record, the best within the division, with wins over the Steelers and Ravens, says otherwise.
The Browns next play the Steelers, and the winner will take sole possession of the AFC North.
Perhaps we should count on a low-scoring game through the first three quarters, with the Steelers scoring 10 in the fourth, but Cleveland winning on a last-second field goal. That appears to be the pattern for both teams.
Whether you're a Bengals or a Ravens fan, Browns-Steelers must get second-screen treatment at least this upcoming weekend.
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