Did Sunday Prove That the Baltimore Ravens Are Still the Best Team in the AFC North?

By Charles Harris

 With the Baltimore Ravens’ 13–10 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field, more affectionately known as the “Dawg Pound,” Cleveland moved into a tie for first place in the AFC North. This marks the first time since mid-October 2014 that the Browns have been in a first-place tie this late in the season. Notwithstanding, there are flaws showing in the Browns, Steelers, and the Bengals, Baltimore’s opponent this Sunday.

The Browns won on Sunday against the Ravens, but they have real issues, particularly on offense. Cleveland’s defense is no fluke; it is a legitimate defense and one of the most solid units in the AFC, period. The Cleveland Browns rank 13th in the NFL in total defense, allowing 317.5 yards per game through Week 6 of the 2026 season. The Browns have drafted well on defense in recent years, including linebacker Carson Schwesinger, following a strong 146-tackle performance in 2025; Mason Graham, who had an impressive rookie year and leads the Browns’ defensive line in sacks and interior pressure; and Denzel Ward, one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Ward has earned an 84.7 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) for the 2026 NFL season, ranking fourth among 102 players at his position. The defense in the Dawg Pound will be very good. However, these facts do not change the offensive issues facing this team.

Deshaun Watson, by the low standards many fans and members of the media have set for him, has performed better than some expected. However, he was clearly erratic in the first half of the Ravens game, and several fans in the stadium were calling for Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ 2025 fifth-round draft pick, because Watson was struggling to move the ball. The Browns are also dealing with injuries to their top two running backs, Quinshon Jenkins and Audric Estimé. Additionally, the jury is still out on the Browns’ coaching staff, as they have a rookie head coach in former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Nevertheless, Cleveland is still in first place.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4–2 following their Week 6 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nevertheless, the Steelers have looked less than impressive despite their winning record. At the end of the 2025 season, Pittsburgh made major changes. For the first time since 2007, Mike Tomlin is no longer the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the offseason, he was replaced by one of the most surprising hires of the NFL offseason and in Steelers franchise history: 61-year-old Mike McCarthy.

Interestingly enough, Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy could share the same nickname from opposite sides of the ball: “Mediocre Mike,” with Tomlin known as a defensive-minded coach and McCarthy as an offensive-minded coach.

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now the oldest starting quarterback in the National Football League at 42 years old, and he has stated that 2026 will be his final season in the NFL. Rodgers has completed 143 of 233 passes (61.4%) for 1,487 yards, averaging 6.38 yards per attempt, with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the oldest roster in the NFL, with an average age of 27.1 years. Pittsburgh’s veteran leadership includes 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers and 37-year-old defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. The Steelers’ top five players outside of Rodgers include T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, and linebacker Patrick Queen. Watt remains an elite pass rusher, Heyward provides veteran leadership up front, Metcalf is a dangerous deep threat, Ramsey brings experience to the secondary, and former Raven Queen adds speed and physicality to Pittsburgh’s defense.

Notwithstanding, the Steelers remain consistently inconsistent. The 2026 Steelers do not pass the “eye test.” They have not won by more than 12 points so far and have not looked particularly impressive against sub-.500 teams in victories over the Buccaneers, Colts, and Falcons.

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming to Baltimore this Sunday with a 3–2 record. Many fans and members of the media consider the Bengals the best team in the AFC North, or at least equal to the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Joe Burrow.

The Bengals Present a Different Challenge

Unlike Cleveland, Cincinnati has the potential to put pressure on Baltimore through the passing game. When Joe Burrow is healthy and operating efficiently, the Bengals can challenge opposing defenses with explosive plays and sustained drives. Cincinnati’s receiving talent can turn a small defensive mistake into a touchdown, and that is exactly the kind of threat Baltimore cannot afford to overlook.

The Ravens must be disciplined in coverage, generate pressure without consistently sacrificing their secondary, and tackle effectively after the catch. Giving Burrow too much time in the pocket could turn Sunday’s game into a long afternoon for Baltimore’s defense. The Ravens also need to limit penalties and avoid giving Cincinnati extra opportunities. Against a quarterback of Burrow’s caliber, those mistakes can be the difference between a win and another frustrating loss.

Offensively, Baltimore must find a way to finish drives. The loss to Cleveland exposed how costly missed opportunities can become in a close divisional game. A team cannot expect to win consistently when it leaves points on the field, commits costly turnovers, or struggles to execute when the game is on the line. Baltimore has the talent to move the football, but talent alone does not guarantee victories.

The Ravens also need to establish a more consistent running game without becoming predictable. Derrick Henry remains an important part of the offense, but ball security has to be nonnegotiable. His costly fumble against Cleveland helped swing momentum in a game Baltimore could have won. The Ravens need their veteran playmakers to deliver in critical situations, not give opponents opportunities to steal games.

Baltimore Has Questions to Answer

The biggest question is whether the Ravens can turn their potential into consistent execution. Baltimore may still have one of the most talented rosters in the division, but the Browns just demonstrated that a strong defensive performance and timely execution can overcome a more talented opponent.

The Ravens cannot simply point to their roster, past accomplishments, or expectations as evidence that they remain the team to beat. They have to prove it on the field. That means protecting the football, improving situational football, limiting penalties, and finding ways to close out tight games.

The AFC North is rarely a division where a team can afford to relax. Cleveland has a defense capable of keeping games close, Pittsburgh has enough veteran talent to remain competitive, and Cincinnati has a quarterback who can change a game in a hurry. Every divisional matchup matters, and one bad stretch can quickly change the standings.

Baltimore also has to recognize that winning the division is not just about beating up on weaker opponents. The Ravens need to win the games that determine who controls the AFC North. Losing a close contest to Cleveland is not season-ending, but repeating the same mistakes against Cincinnati would raise serious questions about the team's ability to contend.

Conclusion: Are the Ravens Still the Best in the AFC North?

My answer is yes, the Ravens still have the potential to be the best team in the AFC North, but they have not done enough recently to make that claim unquestionable. Cleveland earned its victory, Pittsburgh has a winning record, and Cincinnati remains dangerous with Joe Burrow. Baltimore cannot dismiss any of those teams simply because it believes it has the superior roster.

The Browns showed that their defense deserves respect, but their offensive limitations could become a problem over the course of the season. Pittsburgh continues to win without consistently looking dominant, while Cincinnati has the firepower to challenge Baltimore if its offense gets rolling.

For the Ravens, the path forward is straightforward: protect the football, execute in the red zone, clean up the penalties, and finish games. Derrick Henry must secure the ball, the offense must capitalize on scoring opportunities, and the defense must make critical stops when the game is on the line.

Sunday's loss does not mean Baltimore's season is over, nor does it automatically make Cleveland the superior team. But the Ravens have to stop giving their opponents reasons to believe they can be beaten.

Ravens Flock, the question is no longer whether Baltimore has the talent to win the AFC North. The question is whether this team can consistently play up to that talent when it matters most. The Bengals are coming to town, and Baltimore has an immediate opportunity to respond. If the Ravens want to reclaim their place at the top of the division, they need to prove it on Sunday—not just talk about it.