This week we move to the North of each conference.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals (11.5 Wins, AFC North +150, AFC +550, SB +1000)
Additions:
- Free Agents: OT Orlando Brown, S Nick Scott, TE Irv Smith,
- Draft Class: DE Myles Murphy (1st), CB DJ Turner (2nd), S Jordan Battle (3rd), WR Charlie Jones (4th), RB Chase Brown (5th), P Brad Robbins (6th)
Departures: CB Eli Apple (Dolphins), TE Hayden Hurst (Panthers), SS Vonn Bell (Panthers)
Coaching/Scheme: The Bengals run it back with the same group: HC Zac Taylor, OC Brian Callahan and DC Lou Anarumo. That consistency has led to deep playoff runs.
Outlook: The Bengals did not really suffer the Super Bowl hangover like most last year. QB Joe Burrow has a strained calf now, but he should be game for opening day. The WR corps returns intact and the D may have gotten better with the Draft and Nick Scott. They should contend yet again for the Super Bowl. They will win the AFC North and should be in the AFC Title yet again.
Prediction: 13-4, AFC North Title, 3 Seed in AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers (8.5 Wins, AFC North +500, AFC +2800, SB +5000)
Additions:
- Trade: WR Allen Robinson from Rams
- Free Agents: CB Patrick Peterson, LB Cole Holcomb, LB Elandon Roberts, G Isaac Seumalo, CB James Pierre
- Draft Class: Ot Broderick Jones (1st), CB Joey Porter Jr. (2nd), DT Keeanu Benton (2nd), TE Darnell Washington (3rd), LB NIck Herbig (4th)
Departures: SS Terrell Edmunds (Eagles), LB Devin Bush (Seahawks), S Karl Joseph (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: The Steelers also keep the same group intact with HC Mike Tomlin, OC Matt Canada and DC Teryl Austin. Last year was a pleasant surprise with the Rookie QB Kenny Pickett at the helm.
Outlook: I have not been a big Mike Tomlin fan over the years, but this is his type of team. A tough D again with actual upgrades in the Draft and Free Agency can make them even better. If Pickett can take another stop with all the weapons he has and an upgraded O-Line, I think they will contend for the playoffs despite the oddsmakers.
Prediction: 10-7, 2nd in AFC North, Miss Playoffs
Baltimore Ravens (10.5 Wins, AFC North +220, AFC +1100, SB +2000)
Additions:
- Free Agents: WR Odell Beckham, CB Rock Ya-Sin, CB Arthur Maulet
- Draft Class: WR Zay Flowers (1st), LB Trenton Simpson (3rd), LB Tavius Robison (4th), CB Kyu Kelly (5th), OG Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (6th)
Departures: DT Calais Campbell (Falcons), OT Ju’Wuan James (FA), WR Sammy Watkins (FA), CB Marcus Peters (Raiders), DE Justin Houston (FA), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (FA), CB Kyle Fuller (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: Jon Harbaugh returns as HC and DC Mike MacDonald returns, but he has swapped OCs with Todd Monken formerly at Georgia. Monken should bring more of a play action game to the table.
Outlook: [Correction] The Ravens have been a measure of consistency for over a decade, but Ravens did make the playoffs in 2022 but still lost 3 of their last 4 without Jackson in the lineup – much like 2021. Jackson has been paid now, but that does not guarantee anything. I’m down on the Ravens although the jettisoning of all the older players on D should bode well for a unit that was awful down the stretch in consecutive seasons. Still, I think Harbaugh may actually be on the hot seat this year.
Prediction: 8-9, 3rd in AFC North, Miss Playoffs
Cleveland Browns (9.5 Wins, AFC North +375, AFC +1800, SB +3500)
Additions:
- Trades: WR Elijah Moore from Jets, DE Za’Darius Smith from Vikings
- Free Agents: S Juan Thornhill, TE Jordan Atkins, WR Marquise Goodwin
- Draft Class: WR Cedric Tillman (3rd), DT Siaki Ika (3rd), OT Dawand Jones (4th), DE Isaiah McGuire (4th), CB Cameron Mitchell (5th)
Departures: DE Jadeveon Clowney (FA), DT Taven Bryan (Colts), CB Greedy Williams (Eagles), LB Reggie Ragland (FA), S Ronnie Harrison (FA), RB Kareem Hunt (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Kevin Stefanski after his Coach of the Year campaign in 2020 has fallen short. OC Alex Van Pelt will be under a microscope too now that QB Deshaun Watson is back in full. The hiring of Jim Schwartz as DC may be what this underperforming unit needs. Expect a lot more blitzing and havoc than past seasons.
Outlook: The Browns seem to have missed their window in the division. Even with Watson, I don’t think they have a chance. They will need Deshaun Watson of old and an actual MVP caliber season out of Myles Garrett. I think they flop and Stefanski is out by year end. Browns Under 9.5 Wins seems like a gift.
Prediction: 5-12, 4th in AFC North, Miss Playoffs
On to the NFC North on Thursday.
Wegs