NFL Preview: AFC North

AFC North:

The AFC East usually consists of three teams, the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The Cleveland Browns are the punch line of the division year in and year out and with question marks surrounding the team again this year, specifically if quarterback Johnny Manziel will be the quarterback the Browns thought he’d be, the team will more than likely be at the bottom of the division in 2015. The Browns lost wide receiver Josh Gordon after he got suspended for a third failed drug test. The team picked up receiver Dwayne Bowe from the Kansas City Chiefs so that might give them a go-to target but other than that they don’t have much to go-to. They drafted center Cameron Irving from Florida State to add some much needed help to their offensive line but we shouldn’t expect much from the Browns this year as it could be another 4 or 5 win season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are your reigning champs coming off an 11-5 season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for nearly 5,000 yards and had 32 touchdowns last season including back-to-back six touchdown games. The Pittsburgh offense has a duo of Pro Bowl players in receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell along with Roethlisberger. The team drafted some defensive help in outside linebacker Bud Dupree from Kentucky. They also have to fill a hole left by the retirement of future Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu. The Steelers might be the favorites in the AFC North this year and could be one of the teams that could knock off other favorites the New England Patriots or Indianapolis Colts.

In Baltimore, the Ravens lost a lot multiple important pieces including All Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata having gone to Detroit but replaced them with guys who can come in and make an immediate impact. The departure of tight end Owen Daniels led to the drafting of Maxx Williams from Minnesota with their first round pick. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for almost 4,000 yards but will have to find another top target now that Torrey Smith is gone. The Ravens will again be in the mix for the division title and could very well top the Steelers for the crown.

The Cincinnati Bengals again made the playoffs, but again they failed to a win a game. Quarterback Andy Dalton had a mediocre season having thrown for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns. Receiver AJ Green also had a subpar season, the Pro Bowl talent had just over a 1,000 yards along with just 6 touchdowns. Defensive end Michael Johnson returns and if the defense can match the offense the Bengals are a serious threat to make the playoffs. Let’s just hope they can actually win a post-season game.  

Prediction: The Steelers and Ravens battle it out for the title with the black and yellow coming out on top for the second straight year.