AFC North standings: Ravens fall further behind after 36-10 loss to Bills

The Baltimore Ravens’ third straight defeat has made their path back into the AFC North race harder, with Sunday’s 36-10 loss to Buffalo dropping Baltimore to 4-4. The Ravens entered Week 8 one game behind Cleveland and Pittsburgh, but Sunday’s results increased the pressure on a team that has already lost both of its division games.

AFC North standings — confirmed results

Pittsburgh takes control with win over Cleveland

The Steelers improved to 6-2 after defeating the Browns 27-6 on Sunday, strengthening their position at the top of the AFC North. Pittsburgh entered the matchup tied with Cleveland at 5-2. The result creates additional separation between the Steelers and a Baltimore team trying to recover from consecutive losses to the Browns, Bengals, and Bills.

Cleveland fell to 5-3 but remains ahead of the Ravens in the standings. The Browns also have an early head-to-head win over Baltimore, beating them 13-10 in Week 6.

Cincinnati remains a factor in the division race

The Bengals entered Sunday’s matchup against Tennessee at 4-2 after defeating Baltimore 35-13 in Week 7.

Cincinnati’s result against the Titans will further affect the division standings, but the Bengals already hold an important head-to-head advantage over Baltimore. The Ravens’ inability to win division games has become an increasingly serious problem. They are 0-2 against AFC North opponents with five division games still remaining.

Ravens face difficult road back

Baltimore’s immediate problem is finding a healthy quarterback after Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley were ruled out against Buffalo. The Ravens must also contend with offensive line issues and an inability to produce points after halftime. Baltimore hosts Jacksonville on Thursday before facing additional games that could determine whether the team remains in playoff contention. The division remains competitive, but the Ravens cannot afford to continue losing while their rivals collect victories.

Sunday’s blowout loss made an already difficult situation considerably more urgent.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: AFC North standings: Ravens fall further behind after 36-10 loss to Bills