The AFC North was widely considered the toughest division in the NFL heading into the regular season, but there certainly have been some bumps in the road where the division played poorly. Every NFL team was in action, obviously, in Week 4, but the AFC North had games on multiple times. When all was said and done, the Steelers loss to the Colts combined with a Bengals and Ravens win causes their division lead to shrink.

Time to take a look at how the AFC North played out in Week 4, the latest standings and the upcoming schedule in Week 5.

Cincinnati Bengals – 34
Carolina Panthers – 24

We knew it would happen at some point, right? The Bengals are far too talented to continue their losing ways, especially against the Panthers. While Carolina and Andy Dalton put up a fight, the Bengals claimed their first win of the season. Maybe I’m only speaking for myself here, but there is still something off about this Cincinnati team. I can’t put my finger on it, and maybe winning cures all, but I’m not buying Bengals stock for the 2024 season.

Indianapolis Colts – 27
Pittsburgh Steelers – 24

Such a weird game in so many ways. The Steelers defense coming out of the gates sluggish, the offense waiting till the very last second to turn it on, and untimely turnovers/penalties which doomed the visiting Steelers. I guess these games happen throughout the course of a 17-game schedule, but it doesn’t make it any more palatable.

Las Vegas Raiders – 20
Cleveland Browns – 16

The only real shock within the division in Week 5 was the Browns losing to the Raiders. The Raiders who were without Davante Adams. Nonetheless, the Browns fan base, and players, certainly have a gripe with NFL officiating, but who doesn’t this season? When all was said and done the Browns lost another game they probably should have won and they find themselves sliding further down the division ranks as a result.

Baltimore Ravens – 35
Buffalo Bills – 10

I saw the Ravens winning at home on Sunday Night Football, but I can’t say I saw them blowing the doors off the Bill in doing so. From the first offensive snap, literally, when Derrick Henry ran 80+ yards for a touchdown, the game was over. Does this say more about the Ravens or the Bills? Can the answer be both? I believe the Ravens will still be a really good team this season despite their slow start.

AFC North Standings

Pittsburgh Steelers – 3-1
Baltimore Ravens – 2-2
Cleveland Browns – 1-3
Cincinnati Bengals – 1-3

AFC North Week 5 Schedule

Cleveland Browns at Washington Commanders — 1:00pm EST, Sunday
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals — 1:00pm EST, Sunday
Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers — 8:20pm EST, Sunday (SNF)