A third of way through the season, can Steelers remain in hunt in ultra-competitive AFC North?

By the time the Pittsburgh Steelers walk off the field Sunday at SoFi Stadium, they could be in sole possession of first place in their division.

They also could be tied for last.

Such is the state of the tightly bunched AFC North where, one-third of the way through the 18-week season, one game separates first place and fourth place. The AFC North also is the only division in the NFL in which every team has a .500 record or better.

At 3-2 as they return from their bye week, the Steelers reside in second place, a half-game behind the 4-2 Baltimore Ravens and tied with the Cleveland Browns. The Cincinnati Bengals are 3-3.

A win Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams would either keep the Steelers in second place or thrust them into first if the Ravens lose at home to the Detroit Lions. A loss would drop the Steelers into a tie with the idle Bengals. Cleveland would exit the weekend either 3-3 or 4-2.

“That just shows the type of division we’re in,” outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said. “The AFC North is the best division in football. Every team is a tough team. We have to do our part and keep winning so we can stay on top.”

An indication of the competitive nature of the AFC North came last weekend. While the Steelers rested, the Ravens went to London and defeated the Tennessee Titans. The Browns upset the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers, and the Bengals clawed back to .500 after an 0-2 start by holding off the Seattle Seahawks.

Not that veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson was expecting to get any outside help.

“It’s the NFL. If you are hunting or searching for someone to give you a bone or think something is going to be easy, you’re in the wrong business,” he said. “You’re going to have to fight, scratch and claw until (Week 18). … You’re not going to get a handout from anybody.”

Tight end Pat Freiermuth put it more succinctly: “If the rest of the North wins, we have to continue to win as well.”

With 12 games remaining and no time off, the Steelers are in a decent position because of their 2-0 record in divisional play: home victories against Cleveland and Baltimore. Their 3-1 conference record also is the best among the four competitors. On the other hand, they have allowed 31 more points than they have scored, an indication of how slow the Steelers have started on offense.

Here is how the record of the AFC North compares to the Steelers heading into late October:

Steelers (4-2)

Division record: 2-0

Division games remaining: at Cleveland (Nov. 19), at Cincinnati (Nov. 26), Cincinnati (Dec. 23), at Baltimore (Jan. 7)

Conference record: 3-1

Offense/defense rank: No. 30 total yards, No. 30 points scored, No. 30 fewest yards allowed, No. 20 fewest points allowed

Why they can win it: Outside the division, the Steelers face only two teams currently with winning records (Jacksonville, Seattle). They have back-to-back games against New England and Arizona, each 1-5.

Why they won’t: Have you seen that offense?

Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

Division record: 2-1

Division games remaining: Cleveland (Nov. 12), Cincinnati (Nov. 16), Steelers (Jan. 7)

Conference record: 4-2

Offense/defense rank: No. 11 total yards, No. 15 points scored, No. 2 fewest yards allowed, No. 4 fewest points allowed

Why they can win it: All three remaining division games are at home, with two coming in a five-day span. The Ravens also are playing strong defense.

Why they won’t: Before facing the Steelers in the finale, the Ravens travel to San Francisco and face Miami at home. The Ravens offense also has lacked consistency through the first third of the season.

Cleveland Browns (3-2)

Division record: 1-2

Division games remaining: at Baltimore (Nov. 19), Steelers (Nov. 26), at Cincinnati (Jan. 7)

Conference record: 2-2

Offense/defense rank: No. 20 total yards, No. 21 points scored, No. 1 fewest yards allowed, No. 5 fewest points allowed

Why they can win it: The Browns are playing some historically great defense, holding two opponents to three points and limiting the 49ers to 17. Before facing Cincinnati in the finale, they face the Bears, Texans and Jets.

Why they won’t: Quarterback Deshaun Watson can’t stay on the field long enough to make a difference and doesn’t resemble the player he was early in his career in Houston.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)

Division record: 0-2

Division games remaining: at Baltimore (Nov. 16), Steelers (Nov. 26), at Steelers (Dec. 23), Cleveland (Jan. 7)

Conference record: 0-3

Offense/defense ranks: No. 32 total yards, No. 27 points scored, No. 24 fewest yards allowed, No. 17 fewest points allowed

Why they can win it: Despite ranking last in total offense, the Bengals might be hitting their stride as Joe Burrow shakes off his preseason injury. The Bengals have won three of four and can use the bye for a reboot.

Why they won’t: The Bengals face San Francisco and Buffalo coming out of the bye. Losses to those teams could bury the Bengals. They also haven’t won a conference game yet this season.