By Alex Woodward
While the Ravens are in the midst of a five game win streak the rival Pittsburgh Steelers are also enjoying their own win streak of four straight. As it stands right now, the Ravens hold a two game lead for first place in the AFC North but when you look at the upcoming schedule for both teams; it makes you think...could this division race be closer than we thought?
Baltimore owns the leagues top scoring offense behind the best rushing attack in football and they are justifiably getting all the attention but the Steelers are gutting things out and are still within reach of making the playoffs. There was talk about the Ravens only needing 9 wins to win the AFC North and them running away with the division after beating Pittsburgh 26-23 back in week 5 but things change quickly and often in the NFL. That win kickstarted the Ravens win streak and it was the last time the Steelers lost a game. Now it's starting to look like it will take more than 9 wins to win the AFC North.
In the next four weeks, the Ravens have a murderer's row of a schedule compared to Pittsburgh's. Baltimore faces Houston this Sunday before taking on the Rams, 49ers and Bills (25-11 combined record) while the Steelers will face the Browns, Bengals, Browns (again) and then the Cardinals. Those three teams combine for 6 wins total on the season. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL but on paper it looks like Pittsburgh is in a prime position to narrow the margin in the AFC North.