NFL Preview 2023: AFC North Division
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The most popular sport in America is finally back. The NFL preseason is in full swing, as rookies get their first game action and veterans get a chance to impress front office personnel and coaches in an effort to make their team. As fans across the country look towards the start of the NFL season in early September, they start to zero in and take a look at their team and the storylines intertwined with their respective seasons. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the AFC North. From the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, the AFC North is primed and ready for the 2023 season.
Baltimore Ravens
Major additions: WR Odell Beckham Jr, WR Zay Flowers (draft)
Major losses: DE Calais Campbell, G Ben Powers, DE Justin Houston
Where they were:
The Baltimore Ravens were badly bit by the injury bug in 2023, limiting their hopes and abilities. From star TE Mark Andrews and star QB Lamar Jackson to WR Rashod Bateman and RBs JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the injuries were numerous and proved to be too much for head coach John Harbaugh to overcome with his squad as the Ravens fell quietly in the wildcard round. Despite the sheer amount of physical misfortunes that befell the Ravens, the clouds still had a silver lining in Baltimore last year. The Ravens made the playoffs with a 10-7 record, better than many other teams in the league, giving Baltimore fans hope for the future.
Where they are:
While 2022 will go down as a lost season in Ravens history, there’s plenty to be excited about in Baltimore this year. General manager Eric DeCosta aggressively pursued offensive weapons in the offseason, adding some flashy WRs to help his franchise QB in veteran Odell Beckham Jr. and 1st round pick Zay Flowers.
As long as injury armageddon doesn’t happen in Baltimore for a second straight season, the 2023 Ravens look to be serious contenders for the AFC North, and have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Draftkings has set the Ravens win total over/under at 10.5, and if they stay healthy that could be just the beginning for this 2023 Baltimore squad.
Grade: Underrated
Cleveland Browns
Major additions: WR Elijah Moore (trade), EDGE Z’adarius Smith, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, S Juan Thornhill
Major losses: QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Kareem Hunt
Where they were:
The Browns drank the poison they mixed for themselves in 2022, going with placeholder veteran Jacoby Brissett at QB as controversial offseason trade acquisition Deshaun Watson served his 11 game suspension for some serious off the field matters. As a result, Cleveland missed the playoffs with an uninspiring 7-10 record.
Where they are:
The fate of the 2023 football season in Cleveland rests entirely on the shoulders of Deshaun Watson. With a solid offensive line, a superstar running back in Nick Chubb, and an excellent defense, the Browns should be competitive in every game.
If Deshaun Watson can regain the on-field prowess that he showed in Houston, the Browns could be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC North. But if he can’t, the Brownies could be in for yet another middling season, something that has occurred all too often for Cleveland this century. Draftkings has set the Browns win total over/under at 9.5 games, and with such a solid roster that number should be a reasonable expectation for Cleveland.
Grade: Properly rated
Pittsburgh Steelers
Major additions: G Isaac Seumalo, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Joey Porter Jr (draft), T Broderick Jones (draft)
Major losses: CB Cam Sutton
Where they were:
2022 was a year of transition in the Steel City, as the Steelers moved on from longtime franchise QB Ben Rothlisberger to rookie Kenny Pickett. Despite starting a placeholder veteran at QB (Mitch Trubisky) for a large chunk of the season, the Steelers still found their way to a winning record at 9-8 and just missed making the playoffs.
Where they are:
As Pittsburgh enters year two with Pickett and budding star WR George Pickens, the stage seems to be set for a renewal in Steelers country.
With youthful offseason additions to a rock solid defense and new faces across the Pittsburgh offensive line, the Steelers seem to be in line to improve upon their record of a season ago. Head coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in his career at Pittsburgh and there’s no reason that will change this season. Draftkings has set the Steelers win total over/under at 8.5, a number that seems a bit low for a rock solid and improving Steelers squad.
Grade: Underrated
Cincinnati Bengals
Major additions: T Orlando Brown Jr, TE Irv Smith Jr, EDGE Myles Murphy (draft)
Major losses: RB Samaje Perine, TE Hayden Hurst, S Vonn Bell, S Jessie Bates
Where they were:
The Bengals were one of the last 4 teams standing in the NFL last season, knocking off the #2 seeded Buffalo Bills in the divisional round before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. Led by star QB Joe Burrow and WRs Ja’maar Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals offense alone made them one of the most potent teams in the AFC as they finished the season with a 12-4 record.
Where they are:
The Bengals look to be one of the AFC’s premier teams yet again in 2023. Adding tackle Orlando Brown to an admittedly less than stellar offensive line can only help the Bengals protect their franchise quarterback.
The loss of safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in free agency certainly depletes the Bengals defensive backfield talent, but the Bengals can outscore anyone in the league with Burrow and the electric offense. Draftkings has set the Bengals win total over/under at 11.5, tied with the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles for the highest over/under in the NFL. The sky’s the limit for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023.
Grade: Properly Rated
Who can possibly finish last?
The AFC North is absolutely stacked this season. Who on earth will lose enough contests to finish last? There is a legitimate case for each and every team in the North to have a double digit win season, but history tells us that won’t be the case. The rigors of a 17 game season will separate the weak from the strong. All we have to do is wait and see who survives.
