AFC North Contenders Shift Focus to First-Place Showdown After Quiet Trade Deadline

Holding matching 6-2 records, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals are set to battle for first place in the AFC North on Sunday Night Football, following a cautious trade deadline period across the division.

Pittsburgh maintained a conservative approach prior to the deadline, choosing to preserve future draft capital. The team expects a boost in its passing game with wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson slated to return from injuries in the coming weeks. Cincinnati also stood pat after a potential trade fell through, leaving questions about whether their current defensive unit has enough depth to support a championship run.

In contrast, the Baltimore Ravens added three players over the past two months to stay in the wild-card hunt despite quarterback Lamar Jackson's injury absence. Baltimore retained high-profile veterans such as Roquan Smith and Mark Andrews whose large contracts limited trade options. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns focused on long-term building, keeping their draft capital intact—including 11 picks in the 2027 draft—as they rely on a four-game home stretch to stay competitive.