The Baltimore Ravens are in deep trouble after blowing another double-digit lead, and the power rankings prove it. According to ESPN, the team dropped five spots in the latest poll while the Cincinnati Bengals climbed four after their dominant win.
Baltimore led at halftime against the Bengals on Sunday but could not close the game. They surrendered a double-digit advantage to lose the matchup. Per ESPN Research, this marks just the sixth time in NFL history a team has blown such a lead three times in the first seven weeks. The last team to do this was the 2022 Ravens. The 2026 version is now the first since then to repeat this specific failure.
The Division Race Has Changed
All four teams in the division now hold a winning record through seven weeks. This is only the fifth time since 2002 that every team in a division sits at .500 or better at this point. The Bengals jumped to No. 10 in the rankings, while the Ravens fell to eighth place.
Joe Burrow, the quarterback for Cincinnati, was almost flawless during the latter half of that match. He finished 16 of 18 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns. That performance alone secured the win and the rise in the standings. Meanwhile, the lowest-ranked team in the AFC North is now the Cleveland Browns at No. 16, showing how tight this group remains.
Offseason Moves That Actually Matter
After joining the Kansas City Chiefs, Kenneth Walker III tops all running backs with a 5.8 average yards per carry. Rookie second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez helped the Miami Dolphins secure their first win as the defense’s signal-caller in Week 7.
Coaches Todd Monken and John Harbaugh have placed their teams at the top of their respective divisions. The rankings also highlight specific personnel wins, such as the 49ers signing WR Mike Evans in free agency.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another team finding their footing after a rough start. A dominant win over the Panthers brought their record to 2-1 over the past three weeks. This victory marked the return of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who missed the last three games due to a dislocated right thumb. The Bucs were as low as No. 30 in the rankings earlier this season, but they have now moved into the top 25.
The Ravens Must Fix The Closing
Coach Jesse Minter knows the impact of his rookies even if the results do not show it yet. After three centers were placed on IR, rookie starter started three games at the position and played at a high level. Minter stated earlier this month, “I do not know who votes for Rookie of the Year and all that stuff, but he is a very impactful rookie for our team that has done things that I do not know that any rookies have ever done.”
Despite having impactful players, the team keeps losing leads. They are the first team since 2022 to blow a double-digit lead three times in seven weeks.