Predicting Each NFL Division Standings: AFC North

The AFC North has become one of the toughest divisions in the NFL as each team has several star-studded players. All these teams hit hard and enjoy the physical nature of football. With each of these teams having their own unique strengths and weaknesses, who will emerge with the division title this year?

Baltimore Ravens 12-5 (#1 Seed in AFC)

This team is stacked on both sides of the ball. Offensively they are headed by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield. This will be a powerful combination and allow the Ravens to have a true power running game. The defense is always stout for the Ravens. Although they lost a few pieces, like Patrick Queen, I trust John Harbaugh to figure it out and get this team back to the playoffs with the top seed in the AFC.

Cincinnati Bengals 11-6 (#5 Seed in AFC)

Joe Burrow is back, and hopefully to stay. The slight hesitancy with this team is that they are always missing key pieces due to injuries. The Bengals did lose Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd but I don’t expect much of a drop-off offensively, so with that, the focus shifts to the defense. If the defense can step up and play complimentary football with the explosive offense then this team should be a top contender as they secure the top AFC wild card spot.

Cleveland Browns 10-7 (#6 Seed in AFC)

This team is hard to predict. Will Deshaun Watson make a resurgence in Cleveland after being kept off the field for so long? This team doesn’t have many positional holes with the defense being one of the best in the league. However, with the uncertainty in the backfield with questions about Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb slated to miss the first few weeks of the season, the team could struggle initially. However, I expect them to pick up steam toward the later part of the season and end as the second wild-card team in the AFC.

Pittsburgh Steelers 9-8 (Miss the Playoffs)

I want more than anything to have the Steelers make the playoffs but through the first few weeks of the preseason the quarterback situation has me concerned this offense could look the same as last year. The offensive line just continues to look tragic which could mean significant offensive troubles. However, this defense is going to be dominant this season. The defense is going to win the Steelers a lot of games, but it won’t be enough to put the Steelers into the playoffs.