AFC North preview: Four potential playoff teams can claim 2024 optimism

03/09/2024 12:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns made the playoffs while Joe Burrow's injury hampered the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023.

The AFC North was home to the NFL MVP and three playoff teams in 2023, but they only combined for one playoff win. Outside of a quarterback change for one squad, the division is mostly intact from a year ago and look poised to have another successful season.

Kickoff for the 2024 NFL season is right around the corner. Where do each of the divisions in the NFL stand heading into the season? Here, we'll be outlining the offseason subtractions, additions, coaching changes, reasons for optimism and reasons for pessimism for each team in the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens

2023 Record: 13-4
2023 offense: 370.4 total yards per game (6th)
2023 defense: 301.4 total yards allowed per game (6th)

Subtractions: defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, RT Morgan Moses. RG Kevin Zeitler, LG John Simpson, LB Patrick Queen, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, S Geno Stone, WR Odell Beckham Jr., RB Gus Edwards, RB J.K. Dobbins, OLB Tyus Bowser, QB Tyler Huntley

Additions: RB Derrick Henry, LB/ST Chris Board, OT Josh Jones, WR/ST Deonte Harty

Reasons for optimism for the Ravens

Since 2018, the Ravens have won 75% of their games with quarterback Lamar Jackson as their starter. Now in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system—paired with their biggest outside free agent signing of running back Derrick Henry, the offense looks primed for a balanced attack with their run game coupled with pass-catchers Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman and Isaiah Likely. On defense, they retained the majority of their stars, and by all accounts the youthful pass rushers are showing they're ready to take the necessary steps in their development.

Reasons for pessimism for the Ravens

The offensive line could be the Ravens' fatal flaw. After parting ways with three of 2023's starters, the trio of left guard Andrew Vorhees, right guard Daniel Faalele and rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten struggled in the preseason to make lanes for their run game. The Ravens' division features some of the NFL's best pass rushing units and their schedule is one of the NFL's toughest in 2024. The defense is all but guaranteed to take a step back after being first in scoring, takeaways and sacks last season. Everything was aligned for the Ravens to win in 2023. Now, they have to make the journey, and it will only be more challenging.

Cincinnati Bengals

2023 Record: 9-8
2023 offense: 318.9 total yards per game (22nd)
2023 defense: 374.6 total yards allowed per game (31st)

Subtractions: RB Joe Mixon, DT D.J. Reader, OT Jonah Williams, CB Chidobe Awuzie, TE Irv Smith Jr.

Additions: OT Trent Brown, S Geno Stone, TE Mike Gesicki, RB Zack Moss, DT Sheldon Rankins, S Vonn Bell

Reasons for optimism for the Bengals

A healthy Joe Burrow is a problem for the NFL and he'll be wheeling and dealing from a fourth place schedule. The Bengals could jump out to a 4-2 start by Week 6 and doing so in the AFC North sets a team up for success down the road. Factor in a few solid additions through the 2024 NFL Draft and a defense better suited to contend this season and the Bengals will remind all who may have forgotten about a team who narrowly missed the playoffs without their starting quarterback last season.

Reasons for pessimism for the Bengals

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase may have returned to practice, but Week 1 is on the horizon and a deal has yet to be done. It's also up in the air as to whether CeeDee Lamb's mega-deal from the Cowboys puts further pressure on the franchise with numbers higher than they'd like. Injuries have hit the Bengals with first-round offensive lineman Amarius Mims' status being questionable for Week 1. The Bengals get the benefit of an easier schedule, but the gauntlet of the AFC North won't be kind.

Cleveland Browns

2023 Record: 11-6
2023 offense: 335.9 total yards per game (16th)
2023 defense: 270.2 total yards per game (1st)

Subtractions: QB Joe Flacco, TE Harrison Bryant, DT Jordan Elliott, LB Anthony Walker Jr., CB Mike Ford Jr., LB Matthiew Adams, LB Sione Takitaki

• Additions: QB Jameis Winston, RB D'Onta Foreman, RB Nyheim Hines, WR Jerry Jeudy, OL Germain Ifedi, C Brian Allen, LB Devin Bush, DL Quinton Jefferson, LB Jordan Hicks, CB Tony Brown

Reasons for optimism for the Browns

The Browns offense is a surplus of offensive strength. Their offensive line and pass catchers are top-tier units. Defensively, they have the makings of a top-five unit in crushing quarterbacks and they retained their studs, led by Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Moving the football against this unit is a painful endeavor and all signs point to the same being the case in 2024.

Reasons for Pessimism

Quarterback Deshaun Watson's shoulder and arm soreness haven't gone away since undergoing shoulder surgery; he's played just 12 games for the Browns in two years. The roster is there but porous quarterback play is a death knell for a great team to fall back into misery. The Browns took a massive leap in 2023. Sustaining such a jump is rare in the NFL and if the Browns' fallback plan is to hope Watson can keep them afloat, it could all fall apart.

Pittsburgh Steelers

2023 Record: 10-7
2023 offense: 304.3 total yards per game (25th)
2023 defense: 342.1 total yards per game (21st)

Subtractions: QB Kenny Pickett, WR Diontae Johnson, QB Mason Rudolph, CB James Pierre, DL Armon Watts, CB Patrick Peterson, S Keanu Neal, QB Mitchell Trubisky, WR Allen Robinson, P Pressley Harvin III

Additions: QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, WR Van Jefferson, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, CB Cam Sutton, S DeShon Elliott, LB Patrick Queen, P Cameron Johnston, CB Donte Jackson

Reasons for optimism for the Steelers

In 2023, the Steelers' defense dragged their offense kicking and screaming to the playoffs. And though the offense isn't expected to become the NFL's best, they're improved enough to not be the hindrance of years past. Head coach Mike Tomlin can't go under .500, even with half-baked rosters far from this talent pool. Defensively, they remain sound. Offensively, they went out and added quarterback Russell Wilson, who at minimum is disciplined with the football and at maximum elevates this roster to contention for the AFC North crown and more.

Reasons for pessimism for the Steelers

The Steelers found themselves in 11 games decided by seven or fewer points in 2023 and managed a 9-2 record in them. Things broke their way—a few times when they shouldn't have. They face a top five toughest schedule and relying on a defense to produce takeaways is not a winning recipe for multiple seasons. Tomlin magic or not, the Steelers can't repeat their reliance on takeaways and pure efficiency, and Wilson may not give them enough.