AFC North standings: How Steelers, Ravens losses impact division race through Week 13 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The AFC North is normally known to be one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, but that hasn't been the case in 2025.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThrough 13 weeks of the regular season, no AFC North teams have separated from the pack. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are both fighting for the top of the division, but both teams have struggled mightily at times this year.
Additionally, while the Cincinnati Bengals spent most of the season without Joe Burrow, they are still very much alive as the star quarterback makes his return. Even the Cleveland Browns, who are on their third quarterback of the season, can still see a path to the playoffs.
Here's a look at the updated standings in the AFC North after Week 13.
MORE: The updated AFC, NFC playoff picture
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAFC North standings
Rank
Team
Record
1.
Pittsburgh Steelers
6-6
2.
Baltimore Ravens
6-6
3.
Cincinnati Bengals
4-8
4.
Cleveland Browns
3-9
Both the Steelers and Ravens lost this week, which means they still have the same record on the year. However, the Steelers own the tiebreaker through Week 13, giving them the temporary edge at the top of the division.
However, the Bengals are just two games back of first in the division, and with Joe Burrow back, have a chance to make a late-season run. The Browns are also still alive at three-games back, but they need to jump all three of their rivals.
The AFC North is also currently the only division with no team with an above-.500 record.
MORE: Who owns the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSteelers schedule 2025
Date
Opponent
Time
TV Channel
12/7
@ Baltimore Ravens
1:00 p.m.
CBS
12/15
vs. Miami Dolphins
8:15 p.m.
ESPN
12/21
@ Detroit Lions
4:25 p.m.
CBS
12/28
@ Cleveland Browns
1:00 p.m.
CBS
TBD
vs. Baltimore Ravens
TBD
TBD
The Steelers and Ravens still play twice before the season ends, as those two games may very well decide the division champion. Pittsburgh also has to face the tough Detroit Lions, but they get to play the below-.500 Browns and Miami Dolphins as well.
Of the top three teams in the AFC North, Pittsburgh is the only one who doesn't have a team currently in playoff positioning left on its schedule.
MORE: How did Shedeur Sanders play in Week 13?
Ravens schedule 2025
Date
Opponent
Time
TV Channel
12/7
vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
1:00 p.m.
CBS
12/14
@ Cincinnati Bengals
1:00 p.m.
CBS
12/21
vs. New England Patriots
1:00 p.m.
CBS
TBD
@ Green Bay Packers
TBD
TBD
TBD
@ Pittsburgh Steelers
TBD
TBD
In order to make the playoffs, the Ravens have to navigate a difficult remaining schedule. Besides playing the Steelers twice, Baltimore also must play the Bengals with Joe Burrow back, along with games against the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf the Ravens do win the division, they will have earned it with an impressive finish to the season.
MORE: Breaking down the AFC South standings
Bengals schedule 2025
Date
Opponent
Time
TV Channel
12/7
@ Buffalo Bills
1:00 p.m.
Fox
12/14
vs. Baltimore Ravens
1:00 p.m.
CBS
12/21
@ Miami Dolphins
8:20 p.m.
NBC
TBD
vs. Arizona Cardinals
TBD
TBD
TBD
vs. Cleveland Browns
TBD
TBD
With Burrow healthy, the Bengals likely need to run the table to win the division. Luckily for them, their final three games are all against teams below-.500, but Cincinnati still must face the Buffalo Bills next week and the Ravens the week after.
If the Bengals can survive until late December, their chances at making the playoffs increase with their soft schedule.
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