The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2024 NFL season as the favorites to win the AFC North. One of the top divisions in the league over the past few seasons, the race for the crown was projected to be a close one, with all four teams coming into the year with high expectations. But one team has been a step ahead of the rest, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have an opportunity to lock up the North title for the first time since 2020 with a win this weekend.
Steelers Can Wrap Up The AFC North This Weekend
Pittsburgh has been one of the surprise teams this season. There were plenty of questions surrounding the team, mostly regarding the offense and quarterback position. Both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson were brought in after being jettisoned by their former teams, and it was unclear how Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers coaching staff planned to use them.
Pretty much everything that they’ve done this season, they’ve done correctly. Bolstered by a top-10 defense that forces more turnovers than any other team, the offense has been able to play complimentary football in most games. The combination has Pittsburgh alone in first place in the AFC North with a 10-4 record, and they are currently in 3rd place overall in their conference and in line for at least one home game in the upcoming playoffs.
The Steelers have had the Ravens number in recent meetings, but who gets the win on Saturday? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gi8fWYx2Sk
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 19, 2024
The Ravens still have a chance to win the division, and are listed at a respectable +130 by BetOnline to do so. But that makes this Saturday’s game a must-win. Pittsburgh is one game up on Baltimore entering the week, which might as well be a two-game cushion thanks to the Steelers owning the tie-breaker. Given that there are just two games left following Week 16, if Tomlin’s team is victorious, they’ll be crowned the AFC North champions.
Getting it done this weekend should be of high importance to the Steelers. They have one of the tougher remaining schedules in the league, with their final two games coming against the Chiefs and Bengals.
