The Pittsburgh Steelers were idle in Week 5 but were still able to increase their first-place lead in the AFC North on Sunday.
The Steelers entered their bye with a 3-1 record and took sole possession of first place last week after every team in the division lost, including the Cincinnati Bengals, who were initially in the top spot.
And, amazingly enough, the other three teams in the division all had the same result for the second-straight week, as the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns were all defeated on Sunday.
The Ravens were crushed in an embarrassing 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans that saw them play their first game without an injured Lamar Jackson while the Browns fell to the Minnesota Vikings in London in what was Dillon Gabriel's NFL debut, and the Bengals were downed by the Detroit Lions.
With that, here's an updated look at the AFC North standings.
AFC North standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-1
2. Cincinnati Bengals: 2-3
3. Baltimore Ravens: 1-4
4. Cleveland Browns: 1-4
While it's still very early, the Steelers are in the driver's seat in the AFC North given the mess the other three teams are.
The Browns were never going to compete in 2025, so no surprise there. The Ravens are expected to not have Jackson once again next week, and Joe Burrow isn't going to return to the Bengals until December, at the earliest, and he may not return at all this season.
In Week 6, the Steelers will host the Browns, and the Bengals will hit the road to take on the Green Bay Packers, who are coming out of their bye. The Ravens will have to host a good Los Angeles Rams team in Baltimore.
It's very possible the Steelers might be the only AFC team to win again next week.
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