Fall is in the air, Starbucks has started selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Which means the NFL is back. It’s time to take a look across the league and give expert opinions and predictions, none of which will be wrong.
Check out the AFC West preview and predictions here.
Check out the AFC South preview and predictions here.
The AFC North is a constant struggle and dogfight. The Ravens, Browns, Steelers, and Bengals all managed to go over .500 last season. That includes a Bengals team that lost Joe Burrow after 10 games, and a Steelers team that was alternating QBs. There’s a cheesy announcer saying: “Throw the record book out with these guys.”
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Last season: 13-4
Prediction: 12-5
Something tells me the Week 1 matchup between the Ravens and Chiefs is going to decide the one seed in the AFC at the end of the year. The Ravens have a tough opening five weeks. With games against the aforementioned Chiefs at Arrowhead, vs Raiders (the easiest game), at Dallas, vs Buffalo, and at Cincinnati. If they could escape that going 3-2 or better, they’re in a great spot.
No doubt the Ravens will have a top rushing attack again this season with the addition of Derrick Henry. However, they had to replace three offensive linemen. There may not be a better QB-RB duo this year than Lamar Jackson and Henry, and I expect some dynamic plays on the way to another AFC North title.
Cincinnati Bengals
Last season: 9-8
Prediction: 11-6
The loss of RB Joe Mixon and WR Tyler Boyd will get some getting used to for Joe Burrow, in addition to new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. Luckily for the Bengals, three of their first four games are against teams with either a first year head coach or rookie quarterback (Patriots, Commanders, Panthers).
Ja’Marr Chase holdout scare is done, so it’s finally time to see what a healthy Burrow, Chase, and Tee Higgins can do. It feels like forever since they’ve been on the same field. Health is the concern for the Bengals, more specifically Joe Burrow. He’s had two of his first four season cut short by major injury. But when he’s healthy… MVP?
Cleveland Browns
Last season: 11-6
Prediction: 9-8
The Browns were dominant at home last year. The problem is that four of the first six games are on the road (they play the Giants and Cowboys at home). Deshaun Watson is clearly no longer the same quarterback the Browns thought they gave $230 million dollars to.
Nick Chubb won’t be back to normal until next year. He’s going to miss 6-8 weeks and, when he does come back, he’ll be on a pitch count. I don’t trust the wide receiver room outside of Amari Cooper, and will their defense be susceptible on the road?
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last season: 9-8
This season: 8-9
I think this is it. I think this is finally the year Mike Tomlin goes under .500. The Steelers defense is unbelievable: T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joey Porter Jr., and they lured away Patrick Queen from the dreaded Ravens. That unit will win them games.
The blinding issue is the quarterback situation. There’s some hope that Justin Fields can develop into something more under Mike Tomlin, but he won’t do the Steelers any good this year. Fields and Russell Wilson are the two most sacked QBs over the past two season by a country mile. The Steelers have a bad offensive line. Things might get ugly.
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