AFC North standings: Browns firmly in NFL playoff picture with win vs. Steelers

It’s beat the snot out of one another week in the AFC North in Week 12 of the NFL season, and two teams bolstered their playoff chances.

The Baltimore Ravens (8-3) remain firmly in control while the Cleveland Browns (7-3) enhanced their playoff chances greatly with a 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens did themselves a huge favor Thursday night by beating up the Cincinnati Bengals 34-20 in a game that cost the Bengals more than a loss.

Right now, Baltimore is in the driver’s seat for the division title. Looking toward next week the Ravens have the Los Angeles Chargers on the road, a bye in Week 13 and a game against the Los Angeles Rams at home in Week 14.

As for the Bengals (5-5), they face the rest of the season without quarterback Joe Burrow, which might actually sink any hopes of a postseason appearance, never mind repeating as AFC North champions.

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The rest of the way doesn’t get any easier as the Bengals still have a date with the Pittsburgh Steelers at home next week. They travel to play the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 and they face the scrappy Indianapolis Colts at home Week 14.

The Steelers may be the team with the easiest stretch the next several weeks. There’s that meeting with the Bengals Thanksgiving weekend, but they follow that with a game at home against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13, although Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray could prove to be the X-factor there. In Week 14, they face the struggling New England Patriots.

AFC North standings

• Baltimore Ravens - 8-3 (3-2 in division, 5-3 in conference)
• Cleveland Browns - 7-3 (3-2 in division, 5-3 in conference) 
• Pittsburgh Steelers - 6-4 (2-1 in division, 4-3 in conference)
• Cincinnati Bengals - 5-5 (0-3 in division, 1-5 in conference)