NFL Power Rankings: AFC North Dominates Week 10 Power Rankings

The AFC North has the three best teams in the AFC and three of the top-five teams in the entire NFL. The Ravens, Bengals and Steelers have established themselves as the teams to beat in the AFC and it's clear that one of them is going to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

All three teams are built for the postseason. All of them put forth a top-five defense and the Patriots are proof that teams who rely solely on offense to win do not last. Their Super Bowl teams had elite defenders. When they left, so did their rings.

The Ravens are the best team in the entire AFC. They swept the Steelers, but came away with two victories in completely different ways.

In the first matchup, they created seven turnovers in a 35-7 rout. It was clear that Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs were going to put forth a special defense this season, but was Joe Flacco really capable of leading his team to victory when the defense couldn't do it all?

He answered that question in their second meeting, when Flacco orchestrated a brilliant 92-yard game-winning drive. Baltimore has the defense to keep them in games and Ray Rice leads an offense that can deliver.

The Bengals are being written off by virtually everyone. Naysayers are quick to point out that they have a rookie quarterback, their offensive wepons are lacking and their defense is overachieving. Those same critics are more reluctant to acknowledge that halfway through the season, the Bengals top the AFC standings.

They are winning, which is really all that matters. They've won five games in a row, which is more than many people thought they would win all season long. 

They got off to a shaky 1-2 start, but have since taken down every team that has come across their path, including the Bills and Titans. The strength of their schedule lies in front of them and after they take on Pittsburgh this week, we'll have a decent understanding of how they actually measure up against the rest of the division.

For now, they've got to be given their credit. With the second-best run defense in the league and their recent hot streak, they are somehow one of the hottest teams in the NFL and remain under the radar.

As for the Steelers, they remain the scariest team in the NFL. Their defense is littered with future Hall of Famers, and though they have lost a step, to discount them as old and suggest that Pittsburgh's window to obtain a championship is foolish.

They've got the pieces in place to win and they've got the experience to do so. Their offensive line is a liability, which is a huge reason why they rank third in their division, but they are still excelling offensively.

Rashard Mendenhall has had a disappointing season, but Ben Roethlisberger's play has been outstanding. He's got a 94.1 QB rating and as many attempts as Tom Brady on the season. The Steelers are relying on Roethlisberger to win more than ever and he's delivering.

The Steelers have a tough opponent ahead of them this week. Pittsburgh is likely writing off the Bengals as being the overrated younger brother of the division, but the Bengals could show a power shift is imminent.

The Steelers were the oldest team in the NFL after the 53-man roster cuts. The Bengals were the fourth youngest. They are led by a rookie quarterback, their star wide receiver is a rookie and yet, they are winning.

To make life even sweeter for the Bengals, they traded Carson Palmer for a first-round pick in 2012 and a conditional first-round pick in 2013. The future is brighter for the Bengals than any team in the division—and their present isn't looking too bad either.

The Patriots have the worst defense in the NFL. They allow 416.3 YPG. That isn't a recipe for success, regardless of how good their quarterback is.

The Texans have shown they can perform at an optimum level. Wade Phillips has turned their defense into the best defense in the league, even without their best player, Mario Williams. Andre Johnson has been banged up, as has Arian Foster, but they continue to produce.

They have to prove that they can win on the road though. They are 2-2, beating only the Dolphins and the now 4-4 Titans. If they beat the Bucs this week, they'll bypass the loser of the Steelers vs. Bengals game this weekend.

For now, three-quarters of the AFC North are in the top five. There is a decent chance that they'll produce three playoff teams this season. As for the fourth member of the AFC North?

Well, the package they landed to trade down in the 2011 NFL Draft is going to be instrumental in getting them up to speed with the rest of their division.

Kyle Vassalo Week 10 Power Rankings
1	Packers
2	49ers
3	Ravens
4	Bengals
5	Steelers
6	Texans
7	Lions
8	Patriots
9	Saints
10	Giants
11	Bears
12	Jets
13	Bills
14	Falcons
15	Titans
16	Cowboys
17	Buccaneers
18	Chiefs
19	Chargers
20	Eagles
21	Raiders
22	Vikings
23	Redskins
24	Broncos
25	Jaguars
26	Panthers
27	Browns
28	Seahawks
29	Cardinals
30	Dolphins
31	Rams
32	Colts