How the Fate of the AFC North (Sort Of) Rests on Haloti Ngata's Ankle

Obviously there won't be a playoff spot given out to anyone in Week 9, but in a weekend with marquee games, the one between the Ravens and Bengals could shift not only the AFC North race, but the AFC wildcard hunt as well. The game takes on a greater meaning for the Ravens as the team tries to avoid being swept at the hands of the Bengals, who already won in Baltimore this season. Dropping two games to Cincinnati not only serves as a de facto elimination from the division race, but it also puts a serious hurdle in their way when it comes to a wildcard spot. But a win from Baltimore and a loss from Pittsburgh -- neither of which are out of the question -- throws the AFC North into a three-way tie at 5-3, with the Steelers and Ravens having both of their matchups remaining on the schedule. It'd be easy to focus on Chad Ochocinco vs. the Ravens' DBs after the deodorant he sent them this week, but it might all come down to Ravens DT Haloti Ngata and his bum ankle. He was ...