Three reasons Bengals are team to beat in AFC North

The Ravens (7-2) lead the AFC North nine weeks into the season with the Bengals, Browns and Steelers all sitting at 5-3. Here are three reasons Cincinnati is the team to beat the rest of the way.

Burrow is back

QB Joe Burrow looks to finally be healthy after dealing with a calf injury through the first month of the season when the Bengals started 1-3. During their four-game win streak, Burrow has thrown for 1,133 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Cincinnati's four straight wins have come against impressive teams too, with the Bengals knocking off the 49ers and Bills in back-to-back weeks. The schedule doesn't seem to be getting any easier with a hot Texans team led by rookie QB C.J. Stroud on deck and followed by matchups with Baltimore and Pittsburgh. But if Burrow continues to play how he has been, the Bengals should be the favorites in every game.

NFL's best arsenal

Cincinnati has surrounded Burrow with arguably the league's best arsenal of weapons. Ja'Marr Chase continues to prove he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, with 64 catches for 697 yards and four touchdowns on the year. WR Tee Higgins also had his first 100+ receiving yard game of the season on "Sunday Night Football" and WR Tyler Boyd continues to be reliable with 36 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns.

However, it doesn't stop there. The Bengals also saw some great production out of tight ends Tyler Hudson, Drew Sample and Irv Smith Jr. The three tight ends combined for 10 receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the team's Week 9 win.

Opportunistic defense

Although Cincinnati's struggling offense made most of the headlines to begin the year, its defense also had a rough start. Through nine weeks, the defense is allowing the sixth most total yards per game (364) in the league.

However, during the win streak, the defense has forced 10 turnovers (seven interceptions, three forced fumbles) and allowed just 17 points per game. One of the main reasons why the Bengals were able to reach the Super Bowl a couple of seasons ago was the opportunistic play of the defense. Cincinnati seems to be finding its groove once again.