The youth movement of the AFC North sets up the division to be the class of the league. Maybe it’s just the nature of the division itself. The AFC North has usually been a dogfight. The same can be expected this year. These are the predictions for the AFC North.
- Baltimore Ravens 13-3 #2 Seed
The Ravens seek to build on their success from the 2019 season. In the offseason, they updated the offense to make it less predictable. After a year of film, teams will have new schemes to stop Lamar Jackson. But Baltimore’s coaching staff stays one step ahead. Despite being ranked in the top five in scoring and total defense, the Ravens D gave up 4.4 yards per carry. The Ravens were aggressive on the defense side by acquiring Calais Campbell. Campbell has been one of the best edge rushers throughout the past decade. He can help guide the defense that is youthful. On the offensive side through the draft, the Ravens selected J.K. Dobbins to take the pressure off Lamar Jackson. Dobbins will open up the offense. Dobbins can catch out the backfilled and attack the edge while Mark Ingram plows through the middle. The Ravens will compete with the Chiefs for the number #1 seed but will fall being in the better division.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5 #5 Seed
For a team that missed the playoffs, the Steelers are where they want to be. Big Ben returning at QB will be their biggest offseason acquisition. The future HOF comes back in 2020 rejuvenated and explosive at age 38. Roethlisberger elevates all parts of the Steelers offense. The Steelers didn’t have much turnover this offseason. This from a team that was one win away from the postseason with a circus at the QB position. The biggest departure is losing tackle Javon Hargrave. The Steelers offset the loss by adding Chris Wormley. Wormely comes over from the Baltimore Ravens where he had 33 tackles. With the offense certainly being better this year and the usually great Steelers defense the team will return to the familiar surroundings of the postseason. The defense ranked in the top ten in scoring and total defense last year, with young stars T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers will return to the postseason as a #5 seed.
3. Cleveland Browns 9-7 #7 Seed
New coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense is more Mayfield–friendly than Freddie Kitchens. Stefanski was successful with the Vikings and two Pro Bowl wide receivers. An improved line gives Mayfield more time in the pocket. With new TE Austin Hooper working underneath, the field opens up for Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry on deep and intermediate routes. After a hyped offseason last year, the Browns have taken the route of low-key veterans. The plan is to rely more on the running game to take the pressure off of Baker Mayfield. Kareem Hunt is the wild card. If he can return to the form of two years ago, the Browns have an explosive run/pass combo of running backs. Nick Chubb is one of the best young running backs in the league. He was second in the NFL with 1,494 yards rushing with eight touchdowns. The defense lost rookie Grant Delpit to a season-ending injury, hurts an already-thin secondary beyond Denzel Ward. This puts more pressure on Myles Garrett to attack the QB. With the NFL expanding to 7 playoff spots the Browns will secure the final spot.
4. Cincinnati Bengals 4-12 No Playoffs
The Bengals are in a full rebuild. They hope to come out of this year believing that they have both the coach and QB to move forward with. In pass coverage, Cincinnati signed Alexander and Waynes from the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings had one of the best secondary’s of the 2019 season. Alexander has developed into one of the nickel cornerbacks and Waynes has talent that hasn’t been reached yet. Defensive Tackle Reader is a monster at stopping the run. Joe Mixon finished with 1,137 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Mixon is also reliable out of the backfield with 35 receptions for 287 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Burrow has a solid crew of offensive weapons with AJ Green, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and draft pick Tee Higgins. But Borrow will be playing two of the top defenses in the league with an inexperienced head coach leading the way. Borrow may have talent but his first year will be rough.
