AFC North: Week 9
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
The hot streak continued with a third consecutive week of undefeated picks. Now we’re shooting for a month straight.
But this time we have a tough pair of games to pick in the division.
With that said, here are the AFC North blog's picks for Week 9:
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-2), Sunday at 1 p.m. ET
Overall record: 17-7
Comment: Picking games in November will be brutal this year.
The hot streak continued with a third consecutive week of undefeated picks. Now we’re shooting for a month straight.
But this time we have a tough pair of games to pick in the division.
With that said, here are the AFC North blog's picks for Week 9:
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-2), Sunday at 1 p.m. ET
- Analysis: This should be one of the best games of the weekend. But the Bengals are 1-4-1 after byes since 2003 and the Ravens really need this win.
- Pick: Ravens, 23-20
- Analysis: The Broncos proved against Baltimore that they don’t match up well against the physical teams in the AFC North. Pittsburgh is not only physical, but well-rested.
- Pick: Steelers, 21-14
Overall record: 17-7
Comment: Picking games in November will be brutal this year.
Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker
Half of the division was on a bye last week. But for the first time this season the AFC North has three teams rated in the top 10.
Here is how things shook out in ESPN.com's latest power rankings:
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
Last week: No. 6
Current ranking: No. 6
Analysis: Despite the bye, the Bengals held firm at No. 6. Cincinnati's 35-point blowout of the Chicago Bears in Week 7 still resonated with the panel. The Bengals, who are in first place in the AFC North, have a chance to climb into the top five for the first time this season with another big game against the Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati needs to be more consistent at home. The team's two losses this year have come at Paul Brown Stadium to the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
Last week: No. 7
Current ranking: No. 7
Analysis: Similar to the Bengals, the defending Super Bowl champs remained at No. 7 despite the off week. Pittsburgh is playing great football and has won four games in a row. Its last win two weeks ago was over the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (7-1). The Steelers have also have a chance to climb into the top five of next week's power rankings if they can hand the Broncos (6-1) their second loss in as many weeks.
Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
Last week: No. 14
Current ranking: No. 10
Analysis: The Ravens needed a big win and got it with last weekend's convincing, 30-7, victory over Denver. The game moved the Ravens up four spots and into the top 10 and back into the conversation of AFC contenders. Baltimore has enough talent on both sides of the football to compete with anyone. The issue this year has been finishing games. The Ravens will have another big contest this week within the division against the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns (1-7)
Last week: No. 30
Current ranking: No. 31
Analysis: Just when you thought it would be hard for the Browns to drop any further, they did. The St. Louis Rams (1-7) moved one spot ahead of Cleveland to drop the Browns to No. 31 in ESPN.com's power rankings. Cleveland’s 30-6 loss to the Bears was another ugly showing, and this week's firing of general manager George Kokinis also didn’t help. The only team rated behind Cleveland is the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7).
Half of the division was on a bye last week. But for the first time this season the AFC North has three teams rated in the top 10.
Here is how things shook out in ESPN.com's latest power rankings:
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
Last week: No. 6
Current ranking: No. 6
Analysis: Despite the bye, the Bengals held firm at No. 6. Cincinnati's 35-point blowout of the Chicago Bears in Week 7 still resonated with the panel. The Bengals, who are in first place in the AFC North, have a chance to climb into the top five for the first time this season with another big game against the Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati needs to be more consistent at home. The team's two losses this year have come at Paul Brown Stadium to the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
Last week: No. 7
Current ranking: No. 7
Analysis: Similar to the Bengals, the defending Super Bowl champs remained at No. 7 despite the off week. Pittsburgh is playing great football and has won four games in a row. Its last win two weeks ago was over the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (7-1). The Steelers have also have a chance to climb into the top five of next week's power rankings if they can hand the Broncos (6-1) their second loss in as many weeks.
Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
Last week: No. 14
Current ranking: No. 10
Analysis: The Ravens needed a big win and got it with last weekend's convincing, 30-7, victory over Denver. The game moved the Ravens up four spots and into the top 10 and back into the conversation of AFC contenders. Baltimore has enough talent on both sides of the football to compete with anyone. The issue this year has been finishing games. The Ravens will have another big contest this week within the division against the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns (1-7)
Last week: No. 30
Current ranking: No. 31
Analysis: Just when you thought it would be hard for the Browns to drop any further, they did. The St. Louis Rams (1-7) moved one spot ahead of Cleveland to drop the Browns to No. 31 in ESPN.com's power rankings. Cleveland’s 30-6 loss to the Bears was another ugly showing, and this week's firing of general manager George Kokinis also didn’t help. The only team rated behind Cleveland is the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7).
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife.
