AFC North: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

(Photo credit: Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK)

AFC North Division Preview

Predicted finishing order in 2024, record

Cincinnati Bengals (11-6)

A healthy Joe Burrow should propel Cincinnati back to the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. The contract dispute with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase could be a distraction. The Bengals have enough talent to overcome that challenge.

Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

Two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and newly signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry will be a formidable duo in the run game. The defense will be solid, but the biggest question is the offensive line, which has three new starters.

Cleveland Browns (10-7)

Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett leads one of the NFL’s toughest defenses, which allowed a league-leading 270.2 yards per game last season. The Browns will need more production from quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was limited to six starts in 2023 with a shoulder injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

Russell Wilson has been named the opening day starter. His grip on the position is fragile after an uninspiring training camp. The Steelers will be solid defensively with linebackers TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and offseason acquisition Patrick Queen from Baltimore.

Three candidates for AFC North MVP

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow

Burrow, who has recovered from a season-ending wrist injury suffered against the Ravens in November, is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. He has thrown for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 16 games in 2022-23. He has also completed 68.3 percent of his pass attempts (414-of-606) while leading the Bengals to back-to-back division titles for the first time in franchise history.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

Jackson is the 11th player in NFL history to win multiple MVP awards. He threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns, posting career-highs in pass completion percentage (67.2) and yards per carry (8.0) in 16 regular-season games. He also led the Ravens with 821 rushing yards, an average of 5.5 yards per carry and five scores. Jackson is poised for another solid year despite uncertainty on the offensive line.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett

Only two defensive players — Alan Page in 1971 and Lawrence Taylor in 1986 — have won the NFL MVP award. Garrett is a game-breaker who can help the Browns win. Last year, he was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 14 sacks — tied for third most among Browns players in a season. Garrett also had six quarterback hurries, 16 quarterback knockdowns and 30 quarterback pressures.

AFC North Breakout Players in 2024

Probable Ravens TE Isaiah

The third-year player from Coastal Carolina has six touchdown receptions in the last seven games while Mark Andrews is sidelined with an ankle injury. After an impressive training camp, expect Likely to be more involved and have a big season.

Ravens ILB Trenton Simpson

The sophomore from Clemson replaces Patrick Queen, who signed with the Steelers in the offseason. Simpson is a big, physical player who tied with rookie safety Beau Brade with a team-high 19 tackles in three preseason games.

Bengals defensive end Chase Brown

The Canadian will have plenty of opportunities to carry the ball after Joe Mixon left, who was traded to the Texans. Moss averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season and is a solid blocker and pass catcher.

Bengals CB DJ Turner II

The capable defensive back is effective on defense and will have plenty of opportunities when opposing offenses throw the ball to keep up with the Bengals’ explosive offense. Turner has struggled as a rookie, but he’s ready to take the next step in his young career.

Browns S Grant Delpit

The fourth-year player will play a key role in the dominant Browns defense. Delpit had 80 tackles, a career-high 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception in 13 games last season and could add to those numbers if he stays healthy.

WR Browns Jerry Jeudy

After being traded to the Broncos, a change of scenery should benefit Jeudy, a 2020 first-round pick by Alabama. Jeudy shined in training camp and is a perfect complement to teammate Amari Cooper and middle linebacker David Njoku.

Steelers center fielder Nick Herbig

The 2023 fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin is pushing to make a bigger impact after a dominant showing in training camp. Last season, Herbig played in all 17 games, finishing with three sacks and two forced fumbles, and has improved this offseason.

Joey Porter Jr., Steelers linebacker

The son of a former Steelers linebacker has already made his mark as a rookie, playing in 17 games and allowing 24 receptions in 807 snaps. Porter is a hard worker and could eventually develop into one of the league’s top defensive backs.

Outlook for 1 week

Ravens vs. Chiefs, Thursday, September 5, 8:20 PM ET

A rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, when the Chiefs won 17-10 en route to their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy. The prime-time opener features a star-studded lineup, with a pair of two-time MVPs in quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs will unveil their Super Bowl LVIII banner and draw energy from a raucous crowd. Mahomes won 4-1 in head-to-heads with Jackson. But Kansas City will have to contain newly signed Ravens quarterback Derrick Henry, a four-time Pro Bowl selection. The Ravens inexplicably ran the ball only 16 times in the AFC Championship despite having the NFL’s best ground attack. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh won’t make the same mistake this time.

Bengals vs. Patriots, Sunday, September 8, 1:00 PM ET

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow returns to the lineup after suffering a season-ending wrist injury 10 games into the 2023 season. If Burrow stays healthy, the Bengals have enough talent to make a deep playoff run. Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has named Jacoby Brissett the team’s starting quarterback instead of rookie Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the draft. Brissett has 48 career starts and has played in 27 snaps this preseason, going 5-of-14 for 36 yards with an interception (14.6 grade). New England could struggle to keep up with the Bengals’ high-powered offense.

Browns vs. Cowboys, Sunday, September 8, 4:25 PM ET

Deshaun Watson is trying to get back on track in Cleveland after battling injuries that limited him to six games last season. Watson has a strong group of wide receivers with Amari Cooper and the recently acquired Jerry Jeudy. However, Cleveland will be without four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, who is still recovering from a knee injury. Cleveland should have a fearsome defense, led by Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The unit will put pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, whose future in Dallas is uncertain because of an unresolved contract issue.

Steelers vs. Falcons, Sunday, September 8, 1:00 PM ET

The Russell Wilson era is beginning for the Steelers … how long will it last? Wilson was disappointing in the preseason, and coach Mike Tomlin could turn the offense over to Justin Fields. Pittsburgh will have a potent passing attack with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith to pressure Atlanta’s offensive line. The new-look Falcons will rely on quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​to get the team back on track. Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot caused a stir when he signed Cousins ​​to a four-year, $180 million contract in March, then used the eighth pick in the draft to select another quarterback, Michael Penix Jr.

–Field Level Media