The Ravens didn’t act like a team ready to wave the white flag at the trade deadline. They bought. Their AFC North neighbors, meanwhile, mostly chose to stay put.
That matters because Baltimore still has a pulse in the division race, even if the odds are long and the playoff picture is ugly. The rest of the North had a chance to press the issue and widen the gap, but Cincinnati and Pittsburgh didn’t make the kind of moves that would slam the door on Baltimore.
For the Ravens, the deadline was about keeping themselves alive. They still have problems, and plenty of them, but they at least tried to address the roster enough to remain relevant in the second half.
Cam Jurgens has looked like a solid center, and Jacoby Brissett could be enough to keep the offense afloat while Lamar Jackson is out. The defense and offensive line are still concerns, but there’s talent on the roster, and the mini bye this past week could help those areas settle in.
The Bengals, at 6-2, look like the class of the division. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are as dangerous a trio as there is.
But Cincinnati’s defense keeps leaving the door cracked open. They gave up 24 points to the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 and 36 to the Tennessee Titans in Week 8, and their run defense sits eighth-worst in the NFL.
That side of the ball has improved from where it’s been in previous years, but it still isn’t loaded with difference-makers. The defensive line could have used more help next to Boye Mafe and Dexter Lawrence, and the Bengals tried to land Arnold Ebiketie for that purpose, but the deal never happened.
If their defense can hold up, they’ll be tough to catch. If it can’t, and Jackson is back by Week 17, Baltimore could have an opening.
Pittsburgh has its own issues. The Steelers also sit at 6-2, but they didn’t add the kind of help they could have used at receiver or cornerback. Their passing game and pass defense both land somewhere between average and below average.
Offensively, Germie Bernard has shown flashes over the last several weeks, but the production hasn’t been steady enough. DK Metcalf has been a major disappointment in 2026, and the Steelers are counting on Michael Pittman Jr.’s return to fix the problem.
On the back end, Jamel Dean is the only dependable outside corner. Asante Samuel Jr., the other starter, has allowed a 106.8 passer rating when targeted, and there isn’t much depth behind him. If Jackson is back for those late-season Steelers games, Samuel looks like the kind of matchup Baltimore would want to attack.
None of this changes the biggest condition attached to the Ravens’ hopes: they need to stay on track, and Jackson needs to be back for the final four games. If that happens, the division may not be out of reach after all, especially with the AFC North beating itself up along the way.
It’s still a longshot. But Baltimore isn’t buried yet.
In Other News...
Ravens Quarterback Situation Just Got Even More Concerning
The AFC North picture shifted again in Week 9, and for Baltimore the timing could hardly have been worse. While Pittsburgh stayed on top during its bye and Cincinnati got a lift from Joe Burrow in a win over Atlanta, the Ravens dropped a game to Jacksonville and then moved to shore up the most important spot on the roster by adding quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
It was the kind of move that says plenty about where things stand in Baltimore right now. Clevelands quarterback situation has already been a talking point in the division, with Shedeur Sanders starting in a loss to New Orleans, and the Ravens now find themselves needing another arm in a race that is tightening around them. The acquisition of Brissett adds another layer to a situation that already felt unsettled, and it leaves plenty to sort through as the season moves deeper into November. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Tight End Debate Just Got More Painful For Baltimore Fans
Breiden Fehoko took aim at one of Baltimores most familiar roster choices, arguing that Eric DeCostas commitment to Mark Andrews has come at a cost. The former Steelers nose tackle pointed to the Ravens tight end usage as a factor in the teams championship outlook, while Isaiah Likelys rise elsewhere has only sharpened the conversation. Likely, now with the New York Giants, is putting together career-best production this season, a reminder of what Baltimore once had in reserve.
For Ravens fans, the frustration is easy to understand because the team has already extended Andrews even as his output has slipped from previous years. Baltimores record and injury issues have only made the debate louder, especially with Likely thriving in a bigger role and Andrews still carrying the weight of the franchises trust. It leaves the Ravens in a familiar spot, defending a decision that looks increasingly expensive in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Get A Telling Zay Flowers Update As Lamar Wait Continues
Zay Flowers offered a small but telling glimpse into the Ravens quarterback situation this week, saying he has not spoken with Lamar Jackson recently so Jackson can focus on recovering from the thumb injury that has him on injured reserve. It is the kind of update that says as much about the moment around Baltimore as it does about Jackson himself, with the offense now adjusting to life without its star passer while the team tries to steady itself.
Baltimores response has included bringing in Jacoby Brissett to help support the offense, but the bigger picture remains the same: the Ravens are sitting at 4-5 and trying to keep pace in a season that has already forced them into survival mode. Next up is a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and every bit of news around Jackson only adds to the sense that the Ravens are still waiting for their most important answer. [Read more 🡒]