Steelers Relinquish AFC North Lead Again on Sunday
The AFC North landscape shifted dramatically after the latest round of NFL games. The Pittsburgh Steelers briefly held the top position in the division, but lost it after a disappointing performance against the Buffalo Bills.
Steelers Relinquish AFC North Lead
The Steelers entered Week 13 as division leaders. However, their defeat to the Bills allowed the Baltimore Ravens to reclaim the AFC North lead. The Ravens had lost on Thursday night, which briefly opened the door for Pittsburgh, but their overall performance against common opponents has proved decisive.
Current Standings and Records
- Baltimore Ravens: 6-6 (5-2 against common opponents)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-6 (4-4 against common opponents)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 4-8
- Cleveland Browns: 3-9
The Ravens secured victories against teams like the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, while also defeating the Cleveland Browns twice. Their only losses came against the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers faced challenges this season as well. They triumphed against the Jets, Vikings, and Browns, but suffered losses to the Bills and Bengals, which cost them critical standings. Their performance against common opponents is inferior to that of the Ravens, causing their drop in rank.
Playoff Picture Updates
As December begins, the Steelers find themselves out of the playoff race. A stark contrast to teams at the top of the standings, including:
- New England Patriots (10-2)
- Denver Broncos (9-2)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
- Buffalo Bills (8-4)
The Houston Texans are just a game behind the playoff teams, while the Steelers sit among a group of 6-6 teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins.
As the playoff picture evolves, the Steelers will need to regroup quickly to regain their standing in the competitive AFC North.
