The AFC North is easily the most competitive division in the National Football League with each team having a viable chance at claiming the division title. It’s possible two or three of the teams will make it into the postseason. The Cincinnati Bengals have won the division in back-to-back seasons, but the other three teams have closed the gap. It’s not a stretch to say the league’s MVP, rushing, and receiving leaders could all come from the AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens
It looked a little dicey for a minute, but Lamar Jackson is the franchise quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens and he is being paid as such. He has some new and exciting offensive weapons in Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Zay Flowers. Â Jackson has been the team’s leading rusher for the last four seasons but has also missed time with injuries. In a new offensive scheme under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken the Ravens will definitely be looking to throw the ball more.
With Beckham Jr. and Flowers he should be able to create a more pass-friendly offense to keep his quarterback healthy and on the field. Beckham Jr. has not played in eighteen months since tearing his ACL during Super Bowl LVI, but if he can be half the receiver he was before getting injured he can be a difference-maker in a heavy passing offense.
There were a lot of departures on the defensive side of the ball including Marcus  Peters.  This defense doesn’t boast many big names like other teams in the division so they will need to play well as a collective unit. The biggest name, ILB Roquan Smith, was rewarded handsomely by Baltimore in the offseason with a record-breaking contract. Stud safety Marlon Humphrey is recovering from foot surgery and will likely miss the beginning of the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Hopefully, TJ Watt can stay healthy all season. Last year Watt missed seven games with a torn pectoral muscle. There was a notable difference in the defense’s efficiency. The Steelers need their defense to lead the team and their leader is Watt.
Kenny Pickett had a really, really good preseason and now many experts are expecting that to translate to the regular season. There’s no way he will finish the season with a perfect passer rating, but there is a lot to be encouraged by. If Pickett can protect the ball the Steelers have a real chance at winning the AFC North. Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season since becoming Pittsburgh’s head coach in 2007 so it’s hard to say he won’t lead this team to at least a winning season. If all goes right however it could be another playoff appearance for the Steelers.
Cincinnati Bengals
Still, the team to beat, the Cincinnati Bengals have had the most recent success in the division. The Bengals have the best offense in the division and one of the best in the entire league.
Every Bengals fan held their breath when they saw Joe Burrow go down at practice. Luckily, it wasn’t anything too serious and he’s already back on the practice field. It was their offensive line that held them back last season and had Burrow running for his life. The team addressed the glaring need by bringing in left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. This should give Burrow more time to get the ball to one of his receivers, the best-receiving corps in the league. Cincinnati is at its peak and needs to make the most out of these years with this offensive core.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are still waiting for their quarterback to prove he’s worth that contract. After being suspended for eleven games last season, Deshaun Watson did not look like the quarterback who led the league in passing in 2020. It’s not like there isn’t talent surrounding him. Nick Chubb is coming off another fantastic season and could be this season’s rushing champion. This team will not make the playoffs without a passing game and depending on Chubb’s legs to get them there. This season is all on Watson’s shoulders who already doesn’t deserve this incredible second chance that he has been given, but I digress.
Their schedule doesn’t help with three divisional games within the team’s first four games. After the first month of the season, Cleveland can make a statement about whether they are contenders or pretenders in 2023. Cleveland lost their starting cornerback Denzel Ward to a concussion after playing him in the preseason finale. A move that definitely could have been avoided, but it’s the Browns.
