NFL 2018 predictions: Which team will win each division?
By Nile McNair
AFC North
1. Steelers
2. Ravens
3. Browns
4. Bengals
Not much will change in this prediction from how the AFC North standings finished last year. The Pittsburgh Steelers will win the AFC North and most likely win double-digit games again this season. The reason Pittsburgh will win the division is because they may have the best offense in the league. No other team in the division has the offensive firepower to try to outscore the Steelers.
The Baltimore Ravens are a consistent quarterback away from being a serious threat in the AFC. If the Ravens can just find a way into the postseason they could make a serious run. As always the Ravens have a very solid defense led by linebacker C.J. Mosley.
But they need veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to show up this upcoming season. Flacco is under pressure now that the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson in the first round this year. Expect a little more of the playoff version of Flacco during the regular season which will help the Ravens finish second in this division.
The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals play in the same state, but this year the better team in the state of Ohio will be the Browns. The Browns may have gone winless last year, but they have improved this offseason. Improved to the point their roster has gotten better than the Bengals.
Both the Bengals and Browns defenses are not the best and are about even when it comes to talent. On offense the Browns now have more explosiveness. Receiver Josh Gordon even boldly said they “have the best receiving corps in the league.”
Cleveland will finish in third place in the AFC North. The Bengals will place in last and head coach Marvin Lewis will most likely finally get fired.