The AFC North rarely follows the script. Every season seems to produce a surprise contender, a disappointing favorite, or a dramatic storyline that reshapes the division race by Thanksgiving. Entering 2026, however, one thing feels clearer than it did a year ago. TheBaltimore Ravens appear to have the division's most complete roster.
They have the most stable infrastructure. They have the fewest unanswered questions. That doesn't guarantee a title, but it certainly settles the minds of their fans and the Baltimore media.
It also explains why they open the season atop the AFC North's four-team ranking. The only other question is where everyone else ranks.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Sometimes even successful organizations need a new voice. As accomplished as John Harbaugh
was during his lengthy tenure, the Ravens appear energized by a fresh chapter. The buy-in across the roster has been noticeable, and an encouraging preseason only heightened expectations around a team that already believed it was close.
If 2025 taught Baltimore anything, it's that the Ravens can compete with anybody when they avoid self-inflicted mistakes. Lamar Jackson remains one of football's most dangerous players, Derrick Henry still gives defenses nightmares, and the roster has enough talent on both sides of the ball to make another deep postseason run.
The Ravens enter Week 1 as the team everyone else in the division is chasing. Head coach Jesse Minter isn't shying away from conversations about Super Bowl expectations.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have spent years creating unnecessary obstacles for themselves. Since Zac Taylor arrived in 2019, Cincinnati has consistently stumbled out of the gate, compiling a disappointing September record and often playing catch-up in the AFC playoff race.
Last season provided another reminder of how damaging slow starts can be in a competitive conference. Still, there are reasons for optimism.
A healthy Joe Burrow immediately changes the equation, and there is growing belief around the league that Cincinnati could be positioned for a bounce-back campaign. If the Bengals can finally avoid digging themselves an early hole, they have enough offensive firepower to challenge Baltimore for the division crown.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are one of the league's most fascinating teams entering 2026. Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are reunited, but this isn't the Green Bay Packers. The success they enjoyed together was a long time ago.
Both men are older, and neither is operating at the peak of his powers. The partnership carries plenty of intrigue, but it also comes with legitimate questions. The bigger storyline may be life after Mike Tomlin.
For years, Tomlin was either credited for Pittsburgh's consistency or blamed for its postseason shortcomings. Now comes the ultimate test. If the Steelers struggle and post a losing season, the organization may discover that Tomlin was less of the problem and more of the reason things never completely fell apart.
4. Cleveland Browns
The Browns remain a franchise searching for answers. Deshaun Watson once again enters the season as the starting quarterback, a reality that has done little to energize the fan base. Meanwhile, the Shedeur Sanders experiment appears to be on hold, leaving Cleveland without a clear long-term direction at the position.
The trade that sent Myles Garrett elsewhere brought back significant draft capital and rising pass rusher Jared Verse. Replacing a talent like Garrett is nearly impossible, even for a young star this good. Make no mistake, though. Verse is no slouch.
The Browns may be building toward a brighter future, but most of those benefits won't arrive this season. For now, Cleveland remains the AFC North team with the longest climb ahead.
The gap between Baltimore and Cincinnati feels smaller than many realize, and Pittsburgh's new era could produce unexpected results. Cleveland, meanwhile, appears destined for another rebuilding year. The Ravens have an opportunity to establish dominance again and ensure the road to the AFC North title runs through Baltimore.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL Power Rankings: Where Ravens land in the AFC North ahead of Week 1
