Baltimore Ravens: For much of the John Harbaugh era, the Ravens have mixed occasional aberrational stumbles with fairly consistent blowouts. This feels no different. The question is whether they can avoid a stumble in January or February.
Cincinnati Bengals: They’re still very much alive, but a crossroads has arrived for 2024. They need a road win against the Chargers next week.
Cleveland Browns: The win over Baltimore was a mirage and trading away Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith seems to indicate they understand that. The question now is how and when they’ll replace Deshaun Watson.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Clearly, they think they can make a run in a season that lacks a powerhouse despite Kansas City’s record. I don’t know if Mike Williams and Preston Smith get them there, but it’s not out of the question with the right timing and the potential rejuvenation of Russell Wilson. The problem is the second-half schedule is still a mountain, starting with Washington on the road Sunday afternoon.