Prior to the start of the regular season, many expected the AFC North to be one of the NFL‘s toughest divisions in 2024. Yet, as the final stretch of the regular season approaches, the division has quickly become a two-horse race between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
While the Cleveland Browns are officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Cincinnati Bengals are technically still alive in the Wild Card hunt.
Who will win the AFC North between the Steelers and Ravens? Let’s take a look at their potential paths to a division title.
Which Teams Are Still Competing for the AFC North Crown?
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers currently sit atop the division at 10-4, after a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Battle of Pennsylvania.
Even after the loss, the Steelers are still viewed as the current favorite to win their division this season. According to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor, the Steelers currently have a 55.4% chance to win the AFC North.
Even though they lost this week, the Steelers still managed to clinch a playoff spot thanks to both the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts losing their games.
Looking ahead, the Steelers have the fourth-toughest remaining schedule. Pittsburgh defeated the Ravens in the earlier matchup this season, but the Steelers will have to travel to Baltimore in Week 16.
Then, in Week 17, Pittsburgh will host the 12-1 Kansas City Chiefs before hosting the Bengals in the regular-season finale. These final four weeks will truly decide if the Steelers can compete for the division crown or just sneak into the postseason as a Wild Card team.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are currently 9-5 and have some serious ground to make up if they want to win the AFC North. After losing three of their last four games, Baltimore took advantage of their bye week to come back refreshed and easily take care of the lowly New York Giants.
Luckily for the Ravens, their weak schedule still gives them a 44.1% chance to win the AFC North, according to PFN’s Playoff Predictor. While the Steelers will have to deal with the fourth-toughest schedule during the final few weeks of the regular season, Baltimore’s remaining schedule ranks on the easier side at No. 21 overall.
If the Ravens defeat the Steelers in Week 16, the AFC North will likely be theirs for the taking. Baltimore’s toughest opponent remaining will be the 9-5 Houston Texans in Week 17 on the road, but their other two matchups are against clearly inferior opponents.
The Giants and Browns have just five wins combined in 2024. However, it’s worth mentioning that one of Cleveland’s wins was against Baltimore in Week 8.
Nevertheless, if the Ravens want to win the AFC North, they’ll need to take care of business against inferior opponents, as well as win a monumental matchup against the division-leading Steelers in Week 16.
