As we continue to preview the divisions, we move to the North which has a changing of the guard.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (+1600 SB, +900 AFC, +130 AFC North)

Can Lamar Make The Big Jump?
  • Coaching – HC John Harbaugh returns in his 15th season for the Ravens. OC Greg Roman returns to run the massive running game, but still needs to stretch QB Lamar Jackson’s game. New DC, Mike MacDonald, comes from the college game (Michigan) to replace Don Martindale (NYG). Perhaps a more fundamental defensive approach will be used to play against the pass heavy AFC.
  • Personnel – On Offense, the biggest change is the returning of starters: Lamar Jackson (who missed several games), JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards at RB, although both are slow to return and may miss some early games. Health killed the Ravens in 2021. C Tyler LInderbaum (Iowa) was added in the draft to reload for that run attack. WR Marquise Brown departed in free agency making room for Rashod Bateman to be the clear #1 WR. On D, the secondary has seen some new faces to try and improve on the late season meltdown. CB Kyle Fuller was added from DEN and FS Marcus Williams from NO.
  • Outlook – The Ravens at one time mid-season were the 1 Seed in the AFC, but they proceeded to lose their last 6 games to miss the playoffs. Harbaugh’s team is talented and tough, but it all boils down to Lamar Jackson. A) Can he stay healthy? B) If they win games like 2019 and 2020, can he lead them to a deep AFC playoff run? I like Jackson, and I think the change on D will help, but I’m not sure they have enough to win it all. Playoffs, yes, though.
  • Record – 14-3

Cincinnati Bengals (+1600 SB, +850 AFC, +165 AFC North)

Can Burrow Continue His Roll?
  • Coaching – HC Zac Taylor had his team humming at the end of the season. I’m still not sold he’s a great coach, to be honest. I think Burrow deserves most of the credit, as Taylor had some issues at times in critical moments. Still, he has bought plenty of time with the Super Bowl trip. OC Brian Callahan and DC Lou Anarumo return again as coordinators. So, it is really the same unit to go back to work.
  • Personnel – On Offense, CIN gets another good piece on the O-line with free agent, Alex Cappa (TB), plus they pulled former Raven and Falcon, TE Hayden Hurst to replace CJ Uzomah. The rest of the O is the same in a unit that got super hot at the right time. Burrow to WRs Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd with RB Joe Mixon really is an impressive group. On D, the same unit returns, and they were unsung in that Super Bowl trip.
  • Outlook – The Bengals really caught lightning in a bottle last year. They were able to ride Burrow’s arm and the impressive D to nearly take the Super Bowl. I think they will make the playoffs again as the AFC North is now just a 2 horse race, but not sure why, but the Super Bowl loser has nearly always had a hangover. Most Super Bowl losers miss the playoffs outright, and if they do make the tournament fail to return to the big game. I like the Bengals, but a tougher schedule, return of a healthy Ravens squad and a loaded AFC will deny them the repeat Super Bowl berth, although their odds to win the AFC and Super Bowl are better than the Ravens.
  • Record – 12-5

Cleveland Brown (+4500 SB, +2000 AFC, +425 AFC North)

Should Be Able to Count on the Browns Run Game
  • Coaching – HC Kevin Stefanski runs it back with the same coaching unit. OC Alex Van Pelt and DC Joe Woods return, but will the same schemes be used? Defensively, the Browns were inconsistent. They need to find a way to be dominant more often. On Offense, with a QB change, you have to anticipate a different approach. Run heavy, yes, but Baker Mayfield wasn’t good last year which limited the play calling.
  • Personnel – On Offense, the biggest change was the shipping of QB Baker Mayfield to CAR and the trading for (and signing) of Deshaun Watson. The Watson move was aggressive, and as of this article he is now suspended 11 games after missing all of 2021 (and has to pay a $5MM fine). QB Jacoby Brisset will be the back up for the suspended games, and clearly a step down. I think they will make a move for Jimmy Garappolo. Jimmy could keep the Browns afloat, but I don’t see Brisset doing that. CLE also added WR Amari Cooper in free agency and drafted WR David Bell (Purdue) to give Watson targets. On D, the Browns signed DT Taven Bryan to help stop the run. Again, DE Myles Garrett is elite, but he needs to lead this unit to better numbers.
  • Outlook – The Browns were the darling of the AFC in 2020 and fell on their face in 2021. I like the talent, but the Watson craziness kills this year for the Browns. They have a shot at the playoffs if they can split and go 6-5 or something in his absence, but even if they advance, I do not like their prospects in the AFC. 2023 can be the Browns year.
  • Record – 7-10

Pittsburgh Steelers (+8000 SB, +4500 AFC, +850 AFC North)

The Steelers Need to Rely Heavily on the D in 2022
  • Coaching – HC Mike Tomlin is back again. He still has OC Matt Canada, but DC Keith Butler retired and secondary coach, Teryl Austin is the new DC. Tomlin will have to actually coach now with a near rebuild for this team. Yes, the D should be solid, but Big Ben’s retirement leaves a huge void of leadership.
  • Personnel – On O, QB Big Ben called it quits finally, and enter in the Kenny Pickett (rookie from Pitt) era. Yes, you read that right. Mitch Trubisky was signed from BUF, but early reports out of camp have been mixed. Mitch is a nice guy (as a former Bear), but he doesn’t have it. Maybe Mitch starts a game or three, but you might as well see if the rook has it. WR Juju Smith-Schuster moved on replaced by rookie George Pickens (Georgia) who seems like a stud. So, this offense will revolve around RB Najae Harris yet again. Perhaps it can work, but I don’t see it. They will need to win on D. The Steelers picked up divisional rival DE Larry Ogunjobi to play opposite TJ Watt. Plus, they signed LB Myles Jack which adds speed to an already great unit. The Steelers will need to play throwback football to win in 2022.
  • Outlook – I don’t see it for the Steelers this year. 9-7-1 a year ago was a bit of a surprise, but I can’t see them improving on that with the QB situation. Yes, they should be in games if they can run the ball and play great D, but the AFC is in 2022, while the Steelers in the early 2000s. Tomlin has his first losing season in my view.
  • Record – 6-11

Prediction – The Ravens win this division.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.