The Ravens started Sunday with a chance to strengthen their position in the AFC North. They finished it in last place.
Baltimore’s 35-13 loss to Cincinnati dropped the Ravens to 4-3 overall and 0-2 in the division. With Cleveland beating Tennessee in overtime and Pittsburgh defeating New Orleans 16-10, Baltimore was the only AFC North team to lose in Week 7. The Browns and Steelers are both 5-2, with Cleveland leading the division. Cincinnati improved to 4-2 and took the lead over Baltimore after winning the teams’ first meeting of the season.
Baltimore is one game behind Cleveland and Pittsburgh and a half-game behind Cincinnati. Just as concerning, consecutive losses to the Browns and Bengals have left the Ravens with two divisional defeats
and head-to-head ground to recover.
Sunday’s collapse made that position especially frustrating. Baltimore carried a 13-0 lead into halftime before Cincinnati scored 35 unanswered points, turning a potential division win into the Ravens’ second consecutive loss.
The Ravens have fallen from 4-1 to the bottom of a division where every team still has a winning record. Time remains to recover, but Baltimore can no longer lean on its strong start while its closest competitors keep winning.
Next, Baltimore faces a road matchup against Buffalo, followed by a home game against Jacksonville. After letting two divisional opportunities slip away, the Ravens face growing pressure to stop their slide before the standings become more difficult to repair.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: AFC North standings: Ravens fall to last as Browns win in overtime
