Steelers Lose First Place in AFC North

After once appearing like runaway favorites to win the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers have now lost their grasp on first place.

Upon losing 31-28 to the Chicago Bears in Week 12 with Aaron Rodgers out due to a wrist injury, the Steelers fell to 6-5 on the season. Simultaneously, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Jets at home by a score of 23-10, which extended their winning streak to five games while improving their record to 6-5.

Because Baltimore's 2-0 divisional record is better than Pittsburgh's at 2-1, the former currently holds the tiebreaker for first place. The Ravens were once 1-5 amidst Lamar Jackson's hamstring injury, but they now control their own destiny in the AFC North and have dethroned the Steelers for the time being.

How Did We Get Here?

Since taking down the Cleveland Browns in Week 6, Pittsburgh has gone just 2-4 with losses to the Cincinnati Bengals (Week 7), Green Bay Packers (Week 8), Los Angeles Chargers (Week 10) and Bears. Its wins during that span have come over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, which still stands out as an impressive feat for the team, and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11.

The Steelers have not won a true road game since they took down the New England Patriots in Week 3, and their last victory away from Acrisure Stadium came at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.

The Ravens, on the other hand, have turned things around with wins over the Bears, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Browns and Jets following their Week 7 bye, with Jackson playing in four of those five contests in his return from injury.