:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71815375/1453712628.0.jpg "NFL standings, Week 17: Where things stand in AFC North playoff picture moving toward Week 18")
The AFC North has featured a tight race between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens all season long, but the Bengals have a clinching scenario heading into to close out Week 17.
The Ravens hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the latter in desperation mode. A win would keep their playoff hopes alive after they got help from a Dolphins loss earlier in the day. Baltimore took the lead in the second quarter and led until the final minute of regulation. But Kenny Pickett stepped up in a huge way and capped off an 11-play, 80-yard rive with a ten-yard touchdown pass to Najee Harris. It gave the Steelers the lead and they picked off Tyler Huntley to secure the win.
Baltimore is now a game back with the Bengals hosting the Bills in the Week 17 finale. If Cincinnati wins, they clinch the division and move into the No. 2 seed. If they lose, they'll have to beat or tie the Ravens in Week 18 to clinch the division and the No. 3 seed. Ravens-Bengals will likely be the Week 18 game if the division is on the line.
Below is a rundown of the AFC North division standings, each team's opponent next week, and their division title odds at DraftKings Sportsbook heading toward Week 18.
| AFC North | Record | Wk opp | Week 1 | Week 17 | Week 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC North | Record | Wk opp | Week 1 | Week 17 | Week 18 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 11-4 | vs. BAL | +170 | -225 | -700 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 10-6 | @ CIN | +140 | +175 | +550 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 8-8 | vs. CLE | +1000 | OTB | OTB |
| Cleveland Browns | 7-9 | @ PIT | +380 | OTB | OTB |