NFL Predictions by Division: AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

Will Joe Burrow be healthy? That’s really the only question surrounding the Bengals each of the last four seasons. If he’s healthy, they’re at least in the AFC Championship game. If not, their season ends before January begins. Hopefully, he can stay upright because now is the time to take advantage of an AFC North that’s I don’t believe is as powerful as everyone is saying.

Defensively, the loss of DJ Reader will hurt the line. I don’t believe Rankins will be able to replace what Reader could do. The addition of Geno Stone is a nice get, but we know safeties don’t have a large impact on the game.

A lot of the 2024 campaign will rest on Orlando Browns’ shoulders. He was terrible in his first year as a Bengal. Cincinnati needs him to get back to the level he was playing while in Kansas City or Burrow might be sacked another 50+ times.

Key Additions
DT Sheldon Rankins
S Geno Stone
OT Amarius Mims (Draft)

Key Losses
DT DJ Reader
RB Joe Mixon

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore went 13-4 last season. It was good enough to secure the AFC North and also the coveted one seed in the playoffs. They ultimately fell at the hands of Kansas City in a crushing loss, but it wasn’t all bad. Lamar was arguably his best ever self in 2023. He won MVP again, which gives him two before the age of 27. He was given the greatest congratulatory gift by the Baltimore front office: Derrick Henry. With Henry now on the team, the Ravens coaching staff should hopefully not forget to run the ball. Especially, during the biggest moments of the season.

Henry is aging, but now that he isn’t the only weapon, I believe he will have a bit of a resurgent season. He won’t have to rush 350 times anymore and that will go a long way towards him being ready for a late season push.

Baltimore watched a lot of their talent walk out their door during free agency. They lost three starting offensive linemen. That’s massive as it takes new groups weeks to get on the same page, especially when 60% of said group is new. The Ravens also lost Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney, an edge rusher who recorded 9.5 sacks last season. All in all, I like what the addition of Henry does for their offense. There are just too many remaining questions on the offensive line and defense in general.

Key Additions
RB Derrick Henry
OT Josh Jones

Key Losses
OT Morgan Moses
G Kevin Zeitler
DE Jadeveon Clowney

Cleveland Browns

The Browns didn’t make a lot of noise in free agency and will largely be running out the same team as last season. The sole difference hopefully being Deshaun Watson on the field for more than five games. In those five games, the Browns went 4-1, though it was largely due to a defense that only allowed 12.5 points per game (in that stretch). Unless Watson can find his old self again (unlikely), the Browns will remain in NFL purgatory. Not good enough to make playoff noise, not bad enough to get a high draft pick. Defense can only get you so far in this league and Cleveland might be the prime example of that. Hey, how good is Myles Garrett though?

No Key Additions or Losses

Pittsburgh Steelers

I have lost all faith in Mike Tomlin. I don’t understand why he still has a job in Pittsburgh. Fine, they don’t want chaos in the locker room. I get it. How about some updated offensive schemes? I respect them trying to trade for Aiyuk (still in question at the time of blog posting). Does anyone really think it will matter though? He’s maybe worth half a win in a good offense and Pittsburgh doesn’t have one of those. The first preseason game was a disaster for Fields. Whether himself or Wilson is at the helm it doesn’t matter. The Steelers will see no playoff success in the coming years until they make fundamental changes up and down this roster. Maybe they win another 9 games and Tomlin gets to keep his record? Does that really excite any of the black and gold faithful?

Key Additions
WR Brandon Aiyuk (maybe)
QB Justin Fields/Russell Wilson
LB Patrick Queen

Key Losses
WR Diontae Johnson