NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The AFC North has taken a back seat to the AFC East and AFC West in the last few years thanks to the emergence of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. However, with Lamar Jackson healthy and the Cincinnati Bengals looking every bit of a contender for the 3rd straight season, the AFC North is ready to step back into the spotlight. The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to salvage a dismal start to the season and finished with a 9-8 record. The Cleveland Browns are still searching for an identity with Watson still getting his game together.
What’s in store for the AFC North for the 2023-24 NFL season should be plenty of good football. Each team has made strides and everyone is looking to knock the Bengals off their high horse. But can anyone do it?
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers last season managed to salvage what would have been historic but in the wrong way. Instead, they rallied around their head coach and found a way to keep his streak of non-losing seasons going. It was quite remarkable considering the issues they faced early on. In the process, they managed to turn a lot of heads. There is optimism heading into this season and rightfully so. But will those players who had an impact on their turnaround be able to duplicate that success and even add to it?
Guess it’s safe to say that the Kenny Pickett era is officially here. While he does need to improve in certain areas, Pickett must get help from his playmakers. Najee Harris rushed for his second straight 1000-yard season. On the outside, the Steelers need for Diontae Johnson and George Pickens to become playmakers and take pressure off their young signal-caller.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers will need to keep that high intensity they played with for the second half of the season. There can’t be a week off in the AFC North. The Steelers surrender 20.4 points per game while scoring 18.1. Defensive improvement is key.
Cleveland Browns
At some point, it all has to click for the Cleveland Browns, right? Chubb is one of the best backs in the league but he may be on the wrong team. The same with Myles Garrett. If the Browns were to put together a solid season with another playoff appearance, they could be on to something special. Right now, another losing season and they could be in danger of losing their best players.
This season is officially the Deshaun Watson show. Last season he just wasn’t ready after sitting out for some time. But now, after a full offseason and Training Camp, there are no excuses. Watson has to be the guy for the Browns for the fact they have up a lot to get him. If he can perform as he did in the past, there is no reason not to believe the Browns can’t make a run for the division.
Who Will Win The AFC North
Defense is the name of the game in the AFC North and despite their records of the last few seasons, the Browns have managed to field a pretty decent unit. Garrett is a Pro Bowler but where the Browns will need to make noise is stopping RBs from having great Fantasy Weeks. Last season, the Browns ranked 25th in Rushing Yards Allowed, and if the playoffs are their goal, that front 7 must be shored up.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has his money and a new weapon at his disposal for the 2023-24 season. All last season, the focus surrounding the Baltimore Ravens was not focused on their record. It was if the front office was going to pay their star QB or not. Well, he got his money and hopefully, that’s enough for the Ravens to overtake the Bengals as the team to beat in the AFC North.
By adding Odell Beckham Jr, Jackson easily has his best weapon since he’s been a Raven. If OBJ can return to his Pro Bowl form, the Ravens will be in a position to make that leap. However, this is why the game is played on the field and not on paper. Everything looks good now, but are they a complete unit or one that’s still reeling from last season and the offseason circus that followed them?
The defense tried their best to keep them in games last season despite Jackson missing 6 games. The Ravens still did enough to make a playoff run. Can the defense continue to play at a high level? If the offense can give them breathers with long drives, this will bode well for the team down the stretch.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are clearly the crème of the AFC North for the last 2 seasons and there is no reason to believe they will suffer a fall off this campaign. While their biggest threat will come from the Baltimore Ravens, Joe Burrow and Co are more experienced than their rivals from the Charm City.
Joe Burrow is a top 5 QB and rightfully so. Look at his last 2 seasons if you need proof. The Bengals have gone to the AFC Championship Game twice while making the Super Bowl once. What other QB in the AFC North can stake claim to those honors? But Burrow is not alone. He has arguably the best talent at the receiver position with JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. And, despite the down year by RB Joe Mixon, the Bengals still have enough firepower to put fear in the hearts of the Chiefs for the last 2 seasons.
On the defensive side of the ball is where the Bengals must make some noise. Following a season where they finished 26th in Passing Yards Allowed, the Bengals didn’t quite make the necessary moves to help shore up their secondary. However, the AFC North still belongs to them.
