A capsule look at the AFC North heading into the 2025 season, with teams listed in predicted order of finish.
Baltimore Ravens
says: Win Super Bowl, 7-1; Over-under win total, 11.5
Strengths: The Ravens, synonymous with strong defense for, well, the entire 21st century, produced the No. 1 offense in the league last season. Postseason wobbles aside, Lamar Jackson is one of the three best quarterbacks in the sport, the offensive line is great and Derrick Henry laughed at your aging curves all the way to more than 1,900 yards rushing last year.
Weaknesses: Baltimore gave up a lot of passing yards, partly because teams were desperate to keep pace on the scoreboard. The Ravens made a couple of additions, including first-round pick Malaki Starks, in the secondary. Maybe tight end Mark Andrews won’t be able to fully recover from his gaffes in a stunning playoff loss to Buffalo. Maybe Jackson will continue to put on his Clark Kent glasses in the postseason. Otherwise, good luck.
Cincinnati Bengals
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl, 20-1; Over-under win total, 9.5
Strengths: Saying that Joe Burrow might “only” be the fourth-best quarterback in the world behind Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Jackson is like trying to pick out the worst Golden Girl or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. He’s amazing, and he’ll continue to have one of the best 1-2 punches at wideout after Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both signed huge extensions this offseason.
Weaknesses: Saying the Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the league last year would be like … well, just reciting some statistics. Itap also been a rocky offseason with public contract disputes involving their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson, and first-round pick Shemar Stewart. Al Golden made Notre Dame’s defense mighty. Now he’s being tasked with helping the Bengals get back to respectable.
Pittsburgh Steelers
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl, 40-1; Over-under win total, 8.5
Strengths: The Steelers have three future Hall of Fame members on defense, though safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was swapped out for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who joins T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward. They have a new high-end No. 1 wide receiver, a strong tight end room and an exciting rookie running back.
Weaknesses: And they have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Is the offensive line going to be better? Maybe. Is Ramsey’s positional value an upgrade over Fitzpatrick? Maybe. But everything is focused on Rodgers … just the way he likes it. So, is this going to be another year in the mushy middle of the NFL for Mike Tomlin’s Steelers? Probably.
Cleveland Browns
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl, 300-1; Over-under win total, 4.5
Strengths: Edge rusher Myles Garrett tried to leave, but the Browns convinced him to stay with a hefty extension. Add in top-five pick Mason Graham, and Cleveland could be great up front, and pretty salty in general on defense.
Weaknesses: The old saying goes, “If you have two quarterbacks, then you have none.” So, what does that mean for the Browns? CU Buffs product Shedeur Sanders could start. Or Dillon Gabriel. Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco are in camp as well. Deshaun Watson has a torn Achilles. Maybe Kelly Holcomb or DeShone Kizer will take snaps at some point this season.
