The AFC North has been one of the strongest divisions in the entire NFL for many years. In the past season alone, three of the four teams had a positive record. And this season it looks like this division will be one of the most exciting in the entire league.
Just under a week before the start of the season will tell you sport.dewho has the best chance of making the playoffs – in the AFC North Division Preview!
review
In the preseason, the Cincinnati Bengals secured the divisional victory with a record of 12-4. Wait, that was only 16 games, wasn’t it? Right, because there was the game against the Buffalo Bills that was not counted due to the tragic events surrounding Damar Hamlin.
Second place went to the Baltimore Ravens, who also made the playoffs with a 10-7 record. In third place with a record of 9-8, the Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly missed the playoffs on the final day. The Cleveland Browns finished the season fourth. Seven wins faced ten losses.
Cleveland Browns
The all-important question for the Browns is: What else can Deshaun Watson do? The quarterback, who came by trade from the Houston Texans in 2022, was initially suspended for the first 11 games of the season. In the games in which he was then on the field, the long break was clearly noticeable. And now? Will Watson find his way back to his old strength after completing his preparation? Wait!
Jim Schwartz was hired as the new defensive coordinator. He brings a lot of experience, including as head coach of the Detroit Lions. The Browns have a talented roster on both sides of the ball.
One can assume that Watson will have a much greater impact on the Browns’ game after a complete offseason in which his person remained quiet. Otherwise it could get uncomfortable in the chair of head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Pittsburgh Steelers
In Pittsburgh, the signs were clearly pointing to a new start, which has been made and will continue to be pushed forward. In the offseason, investments were made in the supposed weak points of the offensive line and defensive backfield. Now Kenny Pickett’s year two is about building on what was shown at the end of last season. The Steelers have a number of young players on offense who will all benefit from the experience they have gained.
The defense can count on the cornerstones of Cam Heyward, TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. In addition, some veterans like Patrick Peterson and Keanu Neal strengthen the team. However, the Steelers are clear outsiders when it comes to bookmakers.
Baltimore Ravens
For the Ravens, the big question of the offseason was what would happen to quarterback Lamar Jackson. This question was clarified in time for the draft when Jackson signed what was then the best-paid contract in the league.
And investments were also made around him. With Odell Beckham Jr., a well-known player was signed on wide receiver and in the draft Zay Flowers was added again for this position.
Even more interesting for me is the personality of the offensive coordinator. There Todd Monken follows Greg Roman – and he will probably field a much more pass-heavy offense than his predecessor.
The Ravens’ defense has been one of the strongest in the league for years anyway. In recent years, however, Baltimore has always been plagued by injuries. Not only Lamar Jackson missed games again and again, the Ravens were not spared in other positions either. Unfortunately, injuries are not uncommon in this league, it is more important to catch them.
Cincinnati Bengals
After the Bengals were in the Super Bowl after the 2021 season and lost it to the LA Rams, the question was whether and how the Bengals would be able to recover from this loss.
And after a somewhat rocky start to the past season, the Bengals, led by the ingenious duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, once again won the division and only had to face the later Super Bowl in the new edition of the AFC Championship Games. Champion Kansas City Chiefs surrender.
Burrow is now absent from the team after suffering a calf injury earlier in camp but should not be out for long. 2023 could be the last year for Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. In addition, the departure of Jessie Bates, one of the best safeties of recent years, has to be coped with on defense. His neighbor Vonn Bell also has to be replaced. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will compensate for these departures.
forecast
Ever since the Bengals drafted Joe Burrow, they’ve been leading the division, especially with strong passing. Cincinnati has outstripped the Ravens and Steelers. After two strong years with deep runs into the playoffs, the Bengals are again the favorite for the division title this year.
But the rivals don’t sleep either. Baltimore has given Lamar Jackson playoffs other than Mark Andrews. In any case, the Ravens are a team that is always good for ten wins in a season. If only they could stay injury-free again…
The Steelers almost made the playoffs last season. Whether this is possible again this year remains to be seen, because after two weak years the Browns certainly want to have a say in the fight for a place in the playoffs. For me, however, you are the great unknown. Theoretically, first and fourth place is not impossible for the Browns.
The other division previews
Sebastian Severin
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