NFL Power Rankings: AFC North reaction

October, 23, 2012

Oct 23

11:46

AM ET

The AFC North isn't as good as it was last season. But this is far from being the worst division in football. In the Week 8 Power Rankings, the AFC North is the fourth-ranked division in the league but it's the top-ranked one in the conference. The NFC North, East and West divisions are currently ahead of the AFC North.

Here's a recap:

BALTIMORE RAVENS

ESPN Power Ranking: No. 6

My ranking: No. 7

2012 record: 5-2

Comment: The Ravens should consider themselves fortunate that they slipped only two spots after getting embarrassed in Houston. Baltimore remains the second-highest AFC team behind the Texans. This matches the Ravens' lowest ranking of the year. They were No. 6 in Weeks 1 and 3.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

ESPN Power Ranking: No. 10

My ranking: No. 13

2012 record: 3-3

Comment: You can't call me an AFC North homer. The four other voters had the Steelers ranked 12th or higher. I had trouble moving the Steelers higher after two bad losses on their resume (Tennessee and Oakland) and a poor first half at Cincinnati on Sunday night. The Steelers climbed four spots on the official power rankings, which was tied for the biggest move up this week.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

ESPN Power Ranking: No. 22

My ranking: No. 25

2012 record: 3-4

Comment: The Bengals have lost three straight, which includes two at home and one to the previously winless Browns. That's why I dropped them four spots this week. The only 3-4 team that I have below them is the Bills. But Cincinnati only dipped one spot in the official power rankings to No. 22, which is a season low.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

ESPN Power Ranking: No. 30

My ranking: No. 30

2012 record: 1-6

Comment: The Browns didn't return to the bottom of the power rankings, thanks to the Jaguars losing and the Chiefs being on a bye. The only one-win team higher than Cleveland is the Panthers. The Browns, though, did receive one last-place vote, which came from John Clayton. Could the Browns finish the season below the Brady Quinn-led Chiefs?

Here are my rankings:

1. Falcons

2. Texans

3. Giants

4. 49ers

5. Bears

6. Packers

7. Ravens

8. Patriots

9. Vikings

10. Cardinals

11. Broncos

12. Seahawks

13. Steelers

14. Dolphins

15. Redskins

16. Eagles

17. Chargers

18. Cowboys

19. Rams

20. Colts

21. Saints

22. Jets

23. Titans

24. Buccaneers

25. Bengals

26. Lions

27. Raiders

28. Bills

29. Panthers

30. Browns

31. Jaguars

32. Chiefs

• ESPN AFC North Blogger
• A University of Maryland graduate
• Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/57538/nfl-power-rankings-afc-north-reaction-6

girl scout cookies screen actors guild royal rumble results sag awards 2012 kyra sedgwick honor killings mary tyler moore