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The Cleveland Browns got off to a better start in the 2011 season than most probably figured, but have stalled out in recent weeks, dropping them to the bottom of the AFC North standings and making things awfully hard on the fans. Without strong play from Colt McCoy and injuries to Peyton Hillis, the team is seriously struggling. Unfortunately for them, the rest of the AFC North is trending upward.
After starting the year as the preseason favorite to finish near the bottom of the NFL by many, many folks, the Bengals have taken a lead in one of the toughest divisions in football. After dropping consecutive games in weeks two and three, the Bengals have won five straight games, including a comeback win over the Titans this past Sunday. Sitting at 6-2, the Bengals firmly control their destiny, but can't afford any slip-ups with two teams just behind them in the division. They'll play one of those teams, PIttsburgh, on Sunday at home.
After dropping a game to the Jacksonville Jaguars a couple weeks ago, the Ravens have struggled in their last two outings ... but engineered comebacks in both of them. They overcame a large deficit to beat the Cardinals and then beat Pittsburgh on Sunday night with just a few seconds on the clock. They also are sitting at 6-2, but are second in the standings as it stands. With their win over Pittsburgh, they're riding high, and will next take on the Seattle Seahawks.
Ben Roethlisberger has been playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the last few weeks, but the Steelers currently sit at 6-3 and third place in the AFC North after dropping Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. At this point, all three of these teams are looking to the playoffs, and a showdown with the first place Bengals has the Steelers salivating for a chance to get back in the win column on Sunday.
For a full list of division standings, go here.