Every season in the NFL is really hard to predict due to injuries and you never know who will emerge as a star in this league. That's what makes football so great. One year your team can be bottom in the league and the next year they win it all. AFC North is not immune to the ups and downs of an NFL season. The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII but the season after they went 8-8. You never know what will happen in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens: After and excellent 2012 season, the Ravens really struggled in 2013 going 8-8. Most of that was due to a loss of personnel. This season they should do much better as Dennis Pitta is healthy and they added Steve Smith to their receiving corp. Joe Flacco should have more targets to throw to, but Ray Rice being suspended for two games is a big relief for them. I believe this season there will be a lot of pressure on the passing game and I don't know how Flacco and this offensive line will be able to hold up. The Raven's defense was just average last year but should be better as they have focused on defense this offseason. They are still working to get close to that Super Bowl team back in 2012 and this season I don't think they will be quite there. I expect them to go 9-7 and possibly get a wild card spot depending on the rest of the AFC.
Cincinnati Bengals: Last season the Bengals played very well and I liked what they did in the offseason. They didn't go a try change their team but instead added depth to it. I really like that and I believe they will only get better as most of the team is young. Their defense is consistently in the top 5 and I don't expect that to change. Andy Dalton is still maturing as a quarterback and I expect him to cut down on his turnovers this season. They have a relatively easy schedule and I expect them to win the AFC North with a record of 11-5.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns did not end last season on a high note, they lost their last 7 games. The offseason didn't help them as their top receiver, Josh Gordon, was caught for the 3rd time breaking the league's substance abuse policy, a year long suspension is probable for him and that will greatly hurt their offensive production. They did pick up Miles Austin in free agency which will help them but without Gordon they are a sub-par passing team. The biggest pick up by Cleveland this offseason is their drafting of Johnny Manziel. I expect the Browns to struggle this season and I'll bet money they'll start Johnny Manziel after a few losses. They won't win a lot of games with him but at least he can put fans in the seats with his exciting game. I predict the Browns going 5-11 this season and missing the playoffs again.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have for the past few years been one of the more dominant teams in the league, last season they struggled to get wins as they went 8-8. This season they seem to be healthier than last year and I expect Le'Veon Bell to play better after a decent rookie year. Also another rookie from last year, Markus Wheaton, should make an impact on this receiving corp and really give them a good number two option. Their team is aging and I don't expect them to dominate the league as they have in the past. I predict they will go 9-7 and be competing for a wild card spot.
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