The AFC North—is one of the most competitive divisions in football. This division has four teams: the Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, and the Browns. The division is historically competitive and currently has a win percentage of 67%, which is the highest in the NFL. This division was created in 1970 and in 2002, when all the divisions were realigned, there were four teams left in the AFC North.
🏈 The Baltimore Ravens—are the current leaders of the AFC North with a record of 10-3. The Ravens are currently in the AFC’s second seed and in power rankings being the third best team. This team looks electric with players on offense: such as former most valuable player (MVP) Lamar Jackson, rookie wide receiver, Zay Flowers, and veteran wide receiver, Odell Beckam, Jr. The Ravens have been battling injuries all year with stars like All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews and is out for the season, Odell Beckam, Jr., has been dealing with ankle and shoulder issues all year, and former All-Pro Ronnie Stanley has battled with injuries as well. Then on the defensive side of the ball the Ravens have the second best rated defense in the league. With stars like Roquan Smith as the leader at linebacker, the leader in interceptions for the team Geno Stone at safety, he is second in interceptions in the whole league. Kyle Hamilton has been one of the best safeties in the whole league and it’s only his second year in the league coming from Notre Dame. Overall, this is a very well rounded team with very few holes to fill.
🏈 The Cleveland Browns—are second in the AFC North with a record of 8-5. The Cleveland Browns are currently the 7th seed in the AFC. They are third in the AFC North due to their loss in week two to the Steelers with a final score of 22-26. The Browns have the highest graded defense in the league. The Browns allowed only 247.9 yards per game (1st) and allowed only 29 touchdowns (10th) this year ranking. There are stars on defense within Miles Garrett and Denzel Ward. Garrett has been one of the most dominant edge rushers in the league with Steeler, T.J Watt. Garrett is a three time All-Pro and has the second best odds to win defensive player of the year (DPOY) according to NFL odds. The Browns have many stars on offense with Amri Cooper and Deshaun Watson. Watson suffered a season ending shoulder injury in week 10 against the Ravens. Watson got surgery on his shoulder and is expected to be back by the beginning of the 2024 regular season. The new starter going forward through the season for the Browns is former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco with the Ravens and is going on to his 15th year in the NFL. The Browns have a chance to make the playoffs but need to keep winning. The Browns have unfortunately had many injuries to both sides of the ball and are still pushing for the playoffs.
🏈 The Pittsburgh Steelers—are the third seed in the AFC North with a record of 7-6. They are currently in the hunt in the AFC. The Steelers are a very talented team with a very solid defense. Mike Tomlin is the head coach and while he has been the head coach they have never had a losing season. The Steelers have struggled on offense with Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. They have recently fired him and moved on to Eddie Faulkner. On the offensive side of the ball they have star athletes: Kenny Pickett, quarterback, Dionte Johnson, star receiver, and George Pickens, wide receiver. Pickett has struggled with injuries all season with his shoulder and now his right ankle which he had surgery on, according to rapsheet and the Steelers organization has high hopes that he will be back by week 18. Johnson has battled on the field arguing with coaches and staff members of the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the defensive side of the ball the Steelers have stars like Minkah Fitzpatrick, T.J. Watt and the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 draft class Joey Porter, Jr. Watt has been one of the most dominant edge rushers in this decade and continues to impress fans to this day. Watt is the most electric player on defense on this team. T.J was drafted by the Steelers in 2017 and never looked back. He is also first in odds to win Defensive Player Of The Year (DPOY). Overall, this team lacks on offense but still manages to win games in a clutch fashion. They have holes to fill but yet they keep pushing for the playoffs.
🏈 The Cincinnati Bengals—are currently last in the AFC North with a record of 7-6. They are currently in the playoff hunt. This team has had a very unlucky year with injuries. There have been many big names to go down this season such as star quarterback Joe Burrow and star receiver Tee Higgins. Burrow has been ruled out for the season with a torn ligament in his wrist required season ending surgery. Yet they are still in the hunt with Jake Browning at quarterback. Ja’Marr Chase is the best receiver on this team who is a Pro Bowl player. Chase was drafted in 2021, the year before Burrow was taken. They both were a force to be reckoned with on the 2019 LSU championship team. They were friends and teammates for years now. The defense of this team is pretty solid all around. They have names like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. Hendrickson was the 78th best player in all of the NFL last year. This team had a hot game against the Indianapolis Colts winning 14-34, and with this win their playoff odds have gone up to 26%. With Jake Browning at quarterback he has gone 1-1 and just needs to be more consistent in order for them to make the playoffs.
Generally speaking if you were to ask someone with football knowledge what division they would say the best is, most would say the AFC North. Every team can make the playoffs and has a record of .500 or above. In the conference the Ravens are the most likely team to win the division. The Ravens are the best rated and the team to beat in the AFC. My prediction is the Ravens will win the AFC North.
