The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday by a score of 23-9. The win moved Pittsburgh to 4-1 for the 2025 season, and the franchise now has a commanding lead in the AFC North. The Browns fell to 1-5 after the loss, and the Baltimore Ravens also lost their game against the Los Angeles Rams and fell to 1-5 on the season. Pittsburgh has a big lead on both of those teams, and the Cincinnati Bengals are expected to be without star quarterback Joe Burrow until at least December while entering Week 6 with a 2-3 record.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on at practice while preparing for a matchup with the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season.
It is still early in the 2025 season, but many believe the Steelers should have what it takes to win the AFC North after the way the year has started off. The Steelers will still need to take care of business during their games, but this is a great head start when it comes to capturing the AFC North crown for the first time since the 2020 season.
Safety DeShon Elliott spoke to the media after the win over Cleveland, and he was asked about being atop the division while the rest of the teams in the AFC North continue to struggle.
"I don't give a f**k about Baltimore." Elliott said. "It's still early in the season. We got to handle our games, you know? One game at a time, one day at a time. Last year, we were what, 8-2? 8-1 at one point in time. We started sh*tting the bed. We got to just keep stacking these wins. Whatever happens at the end of the season, whether we're AFC North Champions or whatever, we just got to win playoff games."
The Steelers were in a somewhat similar spot during the 2024 season in that the team had full control of its own destiny when it came to winning the AFC North. Pittsburgh squandered its opportunity, and the team went on a horrendous losing streak to end the regular season and got embarrassed in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Deshon Elliott warms up prior to a matchup with the Washington Commanders in 2024.
The Steelers were 10-3 heading into Week 15 of the 2024 season and had the lead in the division. The group then lost four consecutive games before losing to Baltimore in the postseason. This gives the 2025 team some perspective when it comes to having a lead in the division, and the group understands that the job is not finished until the regular season is wrapped up.
Elliott also acknowledged that none of this matters if the team is not able to win in the postseason. Pittsburgh is on a streak that is approaching a decade when it comes to not winning a playoff game, and it has the fan base on edge. The players want to see success in the postseason, and Elliott's comments after a win absolutely emphasize that point.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin prior to a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2024 season.
Steelers Must Avoid A Serious Collapse During The Backend Of The 2025 Season
The Steelers can feel good about where they currently stand within the division and within the AFC as a whole, but nothing is locked up as the NFL is only six weeks through the season. Pittsburgh's schedule only gets more difficult, and the group must do everything possible to avoid a losing streak.
Pittsburgh is going to have to go through some tough games as the group will have to play the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and the Green Bay Packers later on in the year. These games will be a true test, and losing them late in the year could allow other teams in the division to gain some ground. The season has started in a very favorable manner for Pittsburgh, but it is far from over.
What do you think about Elliott's comments about the AFC North? Let us know in the comments below!
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