Updated AFC North standings after Week 15: Bengals officially can’t win division.
AFC North standings updated following Week 15: Bengals are out of the running to win the division
Despite their successful escape from the AFC North abyss, the Cincinnati Bengals have some unfavorable news. The Bengals won’t be the AFC North winners for the first time since the 2020 campaign. In its entire history, no team has won the AFC North three times in a row.
How did we get here, then? Let’s examine the performances of the AFC North teams throughout the weekend.
The Bengals have won three straight games to improve their record to 8-6 on the year, but they are no longer in contention to win the AFC North as a result of their difficult start. The only two teams with a chance to win the division are the Browns and Ravens.
On Sunday Night Football, the Ravens traveled to Jacksonville and emerged with a significant win. With that victory, Baltimore guaranteed a spot in the playoffs and are now the top seed in the AFC. It won’t be an easy ride to the finish line for the Ravens by any means, as they play two of their next three games against the 49ers and Dolphins.
As this is going on, the Browns are winning inexplicably; on Sunday afternoon, they narrowly defeated the Bears to earn their ninth victory of the year. More power to the Browns, I suppose; I’m not sure how they manage to keep doing this. In the NFL, it’s difficult to win, yet the Browns are managing to do it even though this is their fourth QB start.
The Steelers, who are currently 7-7 and in last place in the division, were the only team in the division to lose their game. The standings are shown here.
Standings for the AFC North after Week 15
Ravens of Baltimore (11-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) Cleveland Browns (9-5) Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
Week 16’s matchup between the Bengals and Steelers will determine whether they finish tied for third place once more (the Bengals will still finish last by default) or whether Cincinnati can catch up to the Steelers by two games. There are significant consequences for the Wild Card game between the Browns and Texans. On Christmas night, the Ravens head to San Francisco to play the 49ers.
The Bengals could, at most, end the season 11-6, but since the Ravens swept them and they couldn’t finish with a record worse than 11-6, that still wouldn’t be good enough for them to win the division. If the Browns triumph and the Ravens lose, they still have a chance to win the AFC North.
Although the Bengals enjoyed a good run at the top of the division, their failure to win the AFC North is not the end of the story. They still have a playoff berth as of right now, and their remaining schedule is doable. Friends, all hope is not lost.
· Three pending free agents that the Bengals should let depart in 2024; two pending free agents that the team might unexpectedly resign in 2024;
The Bengals have sorely missed three recent departures in 2023.
Two starters for the Bengals who will be demoted in 2024
Three players who were cut from the Bengals’ 2024 roster
Next: Six Bengals Starting Players Who Will Not Return in 2024
