NFL Power Rankings: AFC North reaction
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
1:20
PM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
The AFC North is spread throughout the Week 4 power rankings. There's one team near the top (Ravens), two teams in the middle (Bengals, Steelers) and one at the very bottom (Browns).
Here's the bad news in the power rankings: the Steelers suffered the biggest fall of any team (seven spots) and the only team that was ranked the same by all five voters was Cleveland at No. 32.
Here's how the AFC North teams fared in the Week 4 power rankings:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 3
My ranking: No. 4
2012 record: 2-1
Comment: The Ravens jumped up three spots with their win over the Patriots. My colleagues put the Ravens higher than I did. The two unbeaten teams, Falcons and Texans, are obviously atop the rankings. I placed the 49ers above the Ravens based on the strength of winning at Green Bay.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 15
My ranking: No. 14
2012 record: 2-1
Comment: The Bengals inched up one spot after their win at Washington. An argument could be made that Bengals should be higher than the three 1-2 teams ahead of them (Packers, Patriots and Broncos). But Cincinnati's résumé of wins -- Cleveland and Washington -- isn't overly impressive.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 16
My ranking: No. 16
2012 record: 1-2
Comment: As I mentioned at the top, the Steelers dropped seven spots after a three-point loss at Oakland. This was the logical spot. In my rankings, I had the Steelers one spot behind the Broncos (who beat the Steelers) and one spot ahead of the Jets (who lost to Pittsburgh).
CLEVELAND BROWNS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 32
My ranking: No. 32
2012 record: 0-3
Comment: I was the only voter who didn't have the Browns in the bottom spot last week. After their loss to the Bills at home, I couldn't defend them any longer. Cleveland is one of two winless teams, and I put the Saints at No. 31.
Here's my rankings:
1. Falcons
2. Texans
3. 49ers
4. Ravens
5. Giants
6. Cardinals
7. Eagles
8. Packers
9. Cowboys
10. Bears
11. Chargers
12. Seahawks
13. Patriots
14. Bengals
15. Broncos
16. Steelers
17. Jets
18. Bills
19. Vikings
20. Buccaneers
21. Titans
22. Lions
23. Rams
24. Panthers
25. Jaguars
26. Colts
27. Dolphins
28. Raiders
29. Redskins
30. Chiefs
31. Saints
32. Browns
Here's the bad news in the power rankings: the Steelers suffered the biggest fall of any team (seven spots) and the only team that was ranked the same by all five voters was Cleveland at No. 32.
Here's how the AFC North teams fared in the Week 4 power rankings:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 3
My ranking: No. 4
2012 record: 2-1
Comment: The Ravens jumped up three spots with their win over the Patriots. My colleagues put the Ravens higher than I did. The two unbeaten teams, Falcons and Texans, are obviously atop the rankings. I placed the 49ers above the Ravens based on the strength of winning at Green Bay.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 15
My ranking: No. 14
2012 record: 2-1
Comment: The Bengals inched up one spot after their win at Washington. An argument could be made that Bengals should be higher than the three 1-2 teams ahead of them (Packers, Patriots and Broncos). But Cincinnati's résumé of wins -- Cleveland and Washington -- isn't overly impressive.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 16
My ranking: No. 16
2012 record: 1-2
Comment: As I mentioned at the top, the Steelers dropped seven spots after a three-point loss at Oakland. This was the logical spot. In my rankings, I had the Steelers one spot behind the Broncos (who beat the Steelers) and one spot ahead of the Jets (who lost to Pittsburgh).
CLEVELAND BROWNS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 32
My ranking: No. 32
2012 record: 0-3
Comment: I was the only voter who didn't have the Browns in the bottom spot last week. After their loss to the Bills at home, I couldn't defend them any longer. Cleveland is one of two winless teams, and I put the Saints at No. 31.
Here's my rankings:
1. Falcons
2. Texans
3. 49ers
4. Ravens
5. Giants
6. Cardinals
7. Eagles
8. Packers
9. Cowboys
10. Bears
11. Chargers
12. Seahawks
13. Patriots
14. Bengals
15. Broncos
16. Steelers
17. Jets
18. Bills
19. Vikings
20. Buccaneers
21. Titans
22. Lions
23. Rams
24. Panthers
25. Jaguars
26. Colts
27. Dolphins
28. Raiders
29. Redskins
30. Chiefs
31. Saints
32. Browns



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