The Ravens entered Week 6 as the sole leader of the AFC North. They left with the same record as two division rivals but in a less favorable position in the standings.
Baltimore’s 13-10 loss to Cleveland dropped the Ravens to 4-2 and allowed the Browns to move into first place. Pittsburgh’s overtime win over Tampa Bay created a three-way tie in the standings, with the Steelers second and Baltimore third. Cincinnati, which had its bye, remains within striking distance at 3-2.
Standings entering Week 7.
Cleveland has built the strongest early division résumé, winning its first two AFC North games. Baltimore’s first division matchup produced a loss that immediately changed the race. The Ravens still have plenty of time to recover, but their margin
for error has narrowed. Cincinnati is only a half-game behind the three leaders, leaving all four teams separated by half a game. Baltimore also has the division’s best scoring differential at plus-24, compared with Cincinnati’s plus-19, Pittsburgh’s plus-9 and Cleveland’s minus-16. That reflects the Ravens’ overall production through six games, although it does little to soften the impact of losing directly to a division rival.
Lamar Jackson’s recovery from his ankle injury remains central to Baltimore’s outlook after the offense managed only 10 points against Cleveland. The Ravens survived their first two games with Tyler Huntley starting, but Sunday’s result showed how quickly the standings can turn. Baltimore remains positioned to challenge for the division title. It now has to climb past two teams to reclaim the lead it held entering the weekend.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: AFC North standings: Three teams sit at 4-2 entering Week 7
