This week and next, leading up the kickoff of the 2018 NFL season, I’ll be looking around the grand landscape of the league. We’ll preview all 32 teams, division by division – up next, it’s the AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens finally went out and overhauled their receiving corps, bringing in free agents Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead, and John Brown. They invested high draft picks in tight ends Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews. Hurst is out three to four weeks with an injury. It’s a major effort to catch that offense up, and sure, the new weapons look good on paper, but it all hinges upon whether or not Joe Flacco can actually perform up to his former Super Bowl-winning standards. It hasn’t been pretty these past couple of seasons, and perhaps sensing an inevitable changing of the guard, the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson in the first round. There’s plenty to be excited about for the future of the position, but I don’t know how much it pertains to 2018.
The defense was good, forcing a ton of turnovers in 2017. But, that kind of thing almost feels fortuitous – at the very least, it’s hard to replicate bounces going your way. This is a team that is still capable of rushing the passer, but 2018 certainly feels like the Ravens are gearing up for a rebuild. I don’t expect them to be playoff contenders again this year.
Cincinnati Bengals
Where the Ravens went out and tried to bring in play-makers, the Bengals elected to bolster their weak offensive line, a unit that was one of the worst in the league in 2017. They traded for Cordy Glenn and invested their first round draft pick in Ohio State C/G Billy Price. For good reason, too – quarterback Andy Dalton has plenty of offensive weapons at his disposal. A.J. Green is one of the best receivers in the NFL, John Ross has shown why the Bengals made him a first round pick a year ago so far in the preseason, Tyler Eifert is a capable tight end, and Joe Mixon has strong potential at running back. This is a group that should deliver if the line can protect Dalton and allow him to manage the game.
Having three former first round draft picks in the secondary – Darqueze Dennard, William Jackson, Dre Kirkpatrick – makes for a stifling group of defensive backs. Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins are still Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins last I checked. I mean, if Marvin Lewis can’t find success this year, he has to be gone, right?!?!
Cleveland Browns
Despite the football dumpster fire atrocity that has been the Cleveland Browns the last two seasons, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. It all starts with rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield. Sure, Tyrod Taylor will likely start the season, and while I do think Taylor has been largely underrated as a starter, he’s not the guy. Let’s be real. But, whether it’s Taylor or Mayfield, they’re going to have some weapons to play with.
The Browns signed receiver Jarvis Landry during the offseason, and if Josh Gordon is half of what he used to be, they’re going to have quite the tandem. David Njoku looks like one of the most promising young tight ends in the NFL. But, the backfield is absolutely stacked. In free agent acquisition Carlos Hyde, the Browns get true feature back production. Duke Johnson is still a guy who can help out in the passing game, and the drafting of Nick Chubb rounded out a dynamic and promising stable of running backs.
Offseason additions on defense – Mychal Kendricks, Damarious Randall, Denzel Ward – fortified a unit that was already showing progress under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Myles Garrett is a freak of nature in the pass rush. The bottom line is that this roster is loaded with potential – if Hue Jackson can’t put it together, if there isn’t real progress, it may be someone else’s show to run in 2019.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have absolutely owned this division in recent years, going 15-4 against the AFC North in 2015-17. Last year, they were a perfect 6-0 against the Bengals, Browns, and Ravens. That lack of competition has to make it feel like the Steelers are a lock for yet another division title, but I’m not so sure about that. Last year’s defense was routinely gashed, and they have some offenses on the 2018 schedule that look to be really good. Ben Roethlisberger keeps flirting with retirement, but whether he hangs up the cleats or not, he’s still 36 years old. Antonio Brown is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and Le’Veon Bell is an electric running back.
Together, the “Killer Bs” terrorize opposing defenses – but, there’s a new offensive coordinator in town by the name of Randy Fichtner. We’ll see how the deep offense adjusts, but if the defense is as bad as it was last year, they’ll be relied upon heavily to win games.
Regardless, each of the other AFC North teams went out and made moves to bolster the offense to try and keep up with the points the Steelers are sure to put on the board. I don’t see this team winning 13 games. While they’re still the unquestioned favorite to win the AFC North, the window could be closing on the Steelers’ current Super Bowl aspirations.
Projected finish
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10+ wins)
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-9 wins)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-8 wins)
- Cleveland Browns (4-6 wins)
2018 NFL Divisional Previews
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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