Famous for ferocious defenses, but also home to just the second franchise to finished 0-16, the AFC North has been a topsy-turvy affair in recent years. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the class of the division and the reigning division champions. Their crown is under threat from two-time Super Bowl winners Baltimore Ravens, however. Hue Jackson’s Cleveland Browns are drawing excitement because of their offseason moves as well as being the stars of this year’s Hard Knocks. Meanwhile in Cincinnati Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis are still searching for their first playoff win.
Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
Ben Roethlisberger (left) and Antonio Brown (right) are one of the best QB-WR duos in the NFL (photo credit: Pittsburgh Steelers).
Draft class: Terrell Edmunds (safety), James Washington (wide receiver), Mason Rudolph (quarterback), Chuks Okorafor (offensive tackle), Marcus Allen (safety), Jaylen Samuels (running back), Joshua Frazier (defensive lineman).
Mike Tomlin’s men saw their season end a year ago at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars as the pair put on a classic which resulted in Jacksonville moving onto the AFC Championship game following their 45-42 victory over Pittsburgh. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger floats the idea of retirement after every campaign but there is no escaping that his Super Bowl window is closing. It would be a missed opportunity if Big Ben was unable to capitalise on the great skills players around him.
The Steelers have a relatively soft start to their 2018 campaign but down the stretch their fixtures become tougher as they duel with Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees after their week seven bye.
Second-year wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had an outstanding rookie campaign and makes the offense even more dynamic. Antonio Brown is still one of the best receivers in the NFL along with all-purpose running back Le’Veon Bell. The unit is always a contender to be the best offense in the league but too often has come unstuck in January.
Defensively, Pittsburgh look to be on the verge of creating another great unit. They will be without sideline-to-sideline linebacker Ryan Shazier as he continues his recovery from a spinal injury. Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward logged 12 sacks last season and in the secondary former Green Bay Packer Morgan Burnett was added at safety to go along with first-round draft choice Edmunds.
The six-time Super Bowl winners will be the favourite to win the North, the real test will come once the postseason starts and if they can end their nine year wait for another championship.
Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
Joe Flacco faces a critical year with first-round pick Lamar Jackson waiting in the wings (photo credit: Baltimore Ravens).
Draft class: Hayden Hurst (tight end), Lamar Jackson (quarterback), Orlando Brown (offensive tackle), Mark Andrews (tight end), Anthony Averett (cornerback), Kenny Young (linebacker), Jaleel Scott (wide receiver), DeShon Elliott (safety), Greg Senat (offensive tackle), Bradley Bozeman (center), Zach Sieler (defensive lineman).
Ossie Newsome’s finals draft as Ravens’ General Manager will be a pleasing one. They addressed several positions of need while putting quarterback Joe Flacco on notice as the Ravens traded back up into the first round to take Lamar Jackson. Since defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII the Ravens have only returned to the postseason once and are aiming to end a three-year playoff drought.
Baltimore finished 27th in total offense last year and 29th in passing offense. A clear message was sent with the drafting of Jackson to stoke the flames under Flacco. The former Super Bowl MVP has, by all accounts, had the best training camp of his career as a result. Michael Crabtree and John Brown were added through free agency to help the passing attack. On the ground, Alex Collins proved his worth and will be John Harbaugh’s bell-cow running back from week one.
The defense played at an elite level throughout 2017 giving up an average of 18.9 points per game and topped the interception charts with 22 picks. Terrell Suggs found the fountain of youth in 2017. At 35 he is still tormenting defenses and registered 11 sacks last time out. Ball-hawking safety Eric Weddle leads an opportunistic secondary which will see Jimmy Smith return from a torn Achilles. Opposite Smith, Marlon Humphrey had an excellent rookie season.
The season feels pivotal for Baltimore, even more so for their Super Bowl-winning QB. If the Ravens fail to make it back to January football this season then it may be the end of Flacco’s reign as their starting signal caller.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)
Joe Mixon (28) had an encouraging end to his rookie season (photo credit Cincinnati Bengals).
Draft class: Billy Price (center), Jessie Bates III (safety), Sam Hubbard (defensive end), Malik Jefferson (linebacker), Mark Walton (running back), Devontae Harris (cornerback), Andrew Brown (defensive end), Darius Phillips (cornerback), Logan Woodside (quarterback), Rod Taylor (offensive lineman), Auden Tate (wide receiver).
Distinctly average last season and riddled with roster flaws, the Bengals’ wait for a first playoff win since 1990 went on, not even making the postseason in 2017. The offensive line was a huge issue, but efforts were made to rectify that. They traded for left tackle Cordy Glenn before drafting Price in the first round. Running back Joe Mixon had a hit-and-miss rookie campaign but started to put together consistent performances down the stretch.
Former fourth-round pick Carl Lawson added to a mean defensive line with eight and a half QB takedowns in 2017. He, along with All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins and two-time pro bowler Carlos Dunlap form the base of their defense.
The clock could be ticking on Andy Dalton’s stay in Ohio as the Bengals QB continues his erratic performances. Both the Ravens and Cleveland Browns addressed their issues under center in the hopes of competing with Pittsburgh, by the time the 2019 season rolls around Cincinnati may have done the same. Perhaps sooner depending on their record heading into the week nine bye.
A.J. Green continues to be a target monster at wide receiver often jolting the offense into life, if the offensive line can be better at opening up gaps, as well as keeping Dalton upright, then Mixon could be in-line for a breakout year in his sophomore season.
Head Coach Marvin Lewis had his contract extended in the offseason. However, the Bengals are in real danger of propping up their division, if that is the case then dry ink on the paper will mean little and Lewis’ 15 season stay with the team could be over.
Cleveland Browns (0-16)
Tyrod Taylor was traded to the Cleveland Browns in March (photo credit: Cleveland Browns).
Draft class: Baker Mayfield (quarterback), Denzel Ward (cornerback), Austin Corbett (offensive tackle), Nick Chubb (running back), Chad Thomas (defensive end), Antonio Callaway (wide receiver), Genard Avery (linebacker), Damion Ratley (wide receiver), Simeon Thomas (cornerback).
There is every reason to be excited for the Browns entering 2018. New General Manager John Dorsey has been busy in the offseason making a plethora of trades and free agent signings, determined to life Cleveland from a pitiful two-season stretch which has seen them win just one game since the start of the 2016 season. In came Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde on offense. Last season’s starting QB DeShone Kizer was flipped to Green Bay in exchange for defensive back Demarious Randall.
The return of wide receiver Josh Gordon will be another plus point, the 2013 receiving yards leader has had a host of off-field issues with addiction but has returned seemingly in the right frame of mind.
Head Coach Hue Jackson has openly stated that Taylor will be the starting signal caller and that first overall pick Baker Mayfield will have to sit and learn the offense. Usually those best laid plans do not play out, but Taylor is a stable veteran QB who can guide Cleveland to an encouraging record in 2018. Starring on Hard Knocks adds to the hype surrounding the Ohio-based franchise.
In 2017 they used their first overall selection on defensive end Myles Garrett, this year they used their fourth overall pick to bolster the back end by adding cornerback Denzel Ward. The Browns had an underrated defense last year as they finished 14th in total D and were top ten against the run.
Hiring Dorsey has brought with it a culture change, the organisation feels less erratic and better equipped to deal with any uncomfortable scenarios. The new stability off the field should translate to steady progression on it.
