AFC North Battle Rages On for the Baltimore Ravens

The AFC North has long been one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions, and the 2024 season has only amplified that intensity—with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns all fighting tooth-and-nail for the top spot and a guaranteed playoff berth. As the regular season enters its final three weeks, the division race remains razor-thin: the Ravens sit atop the standings at 11-3, but the Steelers (10-4) are hot on their heels, having won five straight games, while the Bengals (8-6) and Browns (7-7) still have mathematical chances to spoil the party. For the Ravens, this battle isn’t just about winning a division title—it’s about securing home-field advantage in the playoffs, avoiding a potentially brutal wild-card matchup, and asserting dominance over rivals who know their strengths and weaknesses intimately. AFC North Battle Rages On for the Baltimore Ravens explores the stakes of this fiercely contested race, the key games that will decide it, and how the Ravens are preparing to outlast their division foes.

AFC North Battle Rages On for the Baltimore Ravens first highlights the tightness of the standings and the impact of head-to-head results—a factor that could ultimately decide the division. The Ravens hold a critical edge over the Steelers thanks to their Week 5 victory (23-17) and Week 11 win (27-14), meaning Pittsburgh would need to win out and have the Ravens lose at least two of their remaining games to overtake them. But the Steelers aren’t the only threat: the Bengals, who have split their two games with the Ravens this season (a 28-21 Ravens win in Week 5, a 34-31 Bengals win in Week 12), could still force a three-way tie if they win their final games and the Ravens stumble. “In the AFC North, head-to-head matchups are everything,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. “We worked hard to beat Pittsburgh twice, and that could be the difference between a division title and a wild-card spot. But we can’t take anything for granted—every game from here on out is a must-win.” The Browns, meanwhile, have proven to be spoilers: they handed the Ravens their first loss of the season in Week 3 (20-17) and could derail their division hopes with a win in Week 16. This parity means the Ravens can’t afford to look past any opponent, even the 7-7 Browns.

A critical element of the AFC North battle is how divisional rivals have adapted to the Ravens’ strengths—forcing Baltimore to adjust its game plan week in and week out. The Steelers, for example, have focused on stopping Derrick Henry (who rushed for 112 yards in their first matchup) by stacking the box with eight defenders, forcing Lamar Jackson to beat them with his arm. In their Week 11 rematch, the Steelers held Henry to 78 yards but couldn’t contain Jackson, who threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals, meanwhile, have targeted the Ravens’ secondary with Ja’Marr Chase, who has 14 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns against Baltimore this season—prompting the Ravens to use bracket coverage on him in their most recent matchup. “Every AFC North team knows us inside and out,” said Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. “They’ve watched every snap we’ve played, and they know our tendencies. We have to be unpredictable—mix up our blitzes, change our coverages, and keep them guessing.” This adaptation has made every divisional game a chess match: the Ravens adjust to their opponents, and their rivals adjust right back, creating high-pressure, back-and-forth contests that often come down to the final play.

A defining aspect of AFC North Battle Rages On for the Baltimore Ravens is the pressure of late-season divisional games—a test of the team’s mental toughness and ability to perform under stress. The Ravens’ remaining schedule includes two critical AFC North matchups: a Week 16 game against the Browns in Cleveland and a Week 18 showdown with the Bengals in Baltimore. Both games could have major implications for the division: a win over the Browns would all but eliminate Cleveland from contention, while a win over the Bengals would secure the division title and potentially home-field advantage. The Ravens have a history of rising to the occasion in late-season divisional games: in 2023, they won their final two AFC North matchups to secure the division title, and in 2022, they beat the Bengals in Week 17 to clinch a playoff spot. “Late-season divisional games are what you play for,” said Jackson, who has thrown for 5,200 yards and 38 touchdowns in AFC North matchups over his career. “The crowd is louder, the hits are harder, and every play matters. That’s where this team thrives.” For the Baltimore Ravens, these games are also an opportunity to build momentum heading into the playoffs: winning their final divisional matchups would give them confidence and send a message to the rest of the AFC that they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Another layer of the AFC North battle is the impact of injuries on the race—a wildcard that could shift the balance of power in an instant. The Ravens have been relatively healthy this season, but key injuries to rivals have changed the dynamic: the Steelers lost star linebacker T.J. Watt to a knee injury in Week 10 (though he’s expected to return for their final games), while the Bengals have been without tight end Tee Higgins for three games. For the Ravens, staying healthy will be critical—especially on offense, where Jackson and Henry have been the engines of their success. “Injuries are part of the NFL, but in a tight division race, they can be season-changing,” said Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. “We’ve worked hard to build depth, but losing a player like Lamar or Derrick would be a huge blow. We’re doing everything we can to keep our key players healthy down the stretch.” The Baltimore Ravens have also used their depth to their advantage: when Henry missed a practice with a minor ankle injury in Week 13, Keaton Mitchell stepped in and rushed for 92 yards against the Cardinals, showing that the team can still be effective even when key players are sidelined. This depth will be crucial in the final weeks, as the Ravens look to avoid the injuries that have derailed their division hopes in past seasons.

Wrapping up AFC North Battle Rages On for the Baltimore Ravens is what a division title would mean for the team’s playoff aspirations—a prize that goes far beyond bragging rights. Winning the AFC North would give the Ravens a first-round bye in the playoffs, allowing them to rest key players and avoid the chaos of the wild-card round. It would also give them home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, meaning they’d play all their postseason games at M&T Bank Stadium—a venue where they’re 7-0 this season and have won 15 of their last 17 games. “Home-field advantage is huge in the playoffs,” said Harbaugh. “Our fans create an atmosphere that’s tough for opponents to handle, and playing at home gives us a mental edge. Winning the division isn’t just our goal—it’s a necessity if we want to win a Super Bowl.” For the Baltimore Ravens, the AFC North battle is also a chance to cement their legacy: a division title would be their third in four seasons, establishing them as the dominant force in the NFL’s toughest division. As the final weeks of the season unfold, the Ravens know that every play, every possession, and every win will bring them one step closer to their ultimate goal. Ultimately, AFC North Battle Rages On for the Baltimore Ravens is a story of competition, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence—a story that will define the team’s 2024 season and shape its place in NFL history.