Tucker’s 2024 AFC North Projection
Credit: Sports Illustrated
By Tucker Harlin
The battle for the AFC North is hotly contested every season.
The Baltimore Ravens came out on top last year, but both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns found their ways into the playoffs.
The division promises to be difficult again with the Cincinnati Bengals looking to return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.
1. BALTIMORE RAVENS
I have last year’s AFC regular season champs will staying put at the top spot in the AFC North this season.
The key to winning the division recently for the Ravens has been keeping Lamar Jackson healthy over the course of the season.
The Ravens missed the 2021 playoffs because of it, and they were a shell of themselves in the 2022 postseason loss to the Bengals.
As long as Lamar is healthy, the defense can take care of the rest.
2. CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals should be able to take a step forward this year as long as Joe Burrow remains healthy.
The only two seasons the Bengals have missed the playoffs in his career were seasons in which Burrow went out for the season.
The talent surrounding Burrow has always been strong, and that remains the case this season.
But he’s got to stay healthy
3. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Deciding between the third and fourth spots on this list was tricky, but ultimately I went the team that has the creepy elf mascot in the middle of the field.
My big question about the Browns is how good they will be with Deshaun Watson because a lot of their success in 2023 came from a late run with Joe Flacco.
The defense was very good in 2023, and Nick Chubb returning from injury ought to give the offense a boost.
4. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
I’ve hated the Steelers on paper every year for about the last four, but Mike Tomlin has a way with exceeding expectations.
You know the defense will be good and they’ll find themselves in plenty of close games, but that offense looks terrible.
They got rid of Kenny Pickett for a washed Russell Wilson and the failed experiment of Justin Fields. Those two could definitely be better than Pickett, but I can’t see anything more than a marginal improvement.
The receivers are questionable, and Najee Harris took a big dip in production last season.
Again, knowing Mike Tomlin, this team can win nine games, but it probably won’t be anything pretty.
