AFC North division preview
2024 predicted order of finish, record
Cincinnati Bengals (11-6)
A healthy Joe Burrow should have Cincinnati back in the playoff hunt for the third time in four seasons. The contract dispute with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase could be a distraction. The Bengals have enough talent to overcome that challenge.
Baltimore Ravens (11-6)
Two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and newly-signed four-time, Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry will be a formidable duo in the run game. The defense will be solid but the biggest question is with the offensive line, which has three new starters.
Cleveland Browns (10-7)
Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett leads one of the NFL’s toughest defenses, which allowed a league-best 270.2 yards per game last season. The Browns will need more production from quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was limited to six starts in 2023 because of a shoulder injury.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
Russell Wilson was named the starter for the opener. His grasp on the job is tenuous after an uninspiring training camp. The Steelers will be stout defensively with linebackers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and offseason acquisition Patrick Queen from Baltimore.
Three AFC North MVP candidates
Bengals QB Joe Burrow
Recovered from a season-ending wrist injury he suffered in November against the Ravens, Burrow is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. In 2022-23, he threw for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns with 12 interceptions over 16 games. He also completed 68.3% of his pass attempts (414-of-606), leading the Bengals to back-to-back division crowns for the first time in franchise history.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Jackson is the 11th player in NFL history to win MVP multiple times. He threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns with career highs in completion percentage (67.2) and yards per completion (8.0) over 16 regular-season games. He also led the Ravens with 821 yards rushing, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and five scores. Jackson is poised for another solid year despite the uncertainty with the offensive line.
Browns DE Myles Garrett
Only two defensive players – Alan Page in 1971 and Lawrence Taylor in 1986 – have won the NFL MVP award. Garrett is a game-wrecker who can help carry the Browns to victories. Last year, he was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 14 sacks – tied for third-most by a Browns player in a season. Garrett also had six quarterback hurries, 16 quarterback knockdowns, and 30 quarterback hits.
2024 AFC North breakout players
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely
The third-year player from Coastal Carolina had six touchdown receptions in the final seven games when Mark Andrews was sidelined with an ankle injury. After an impressive training camp, look for Likely to be more involved and have a huge season.
Ravens ILB Trenton Simpson
The second-year player from Clemson replaces Patrick Queen, who signed with the Steelers this offseason. Simpson is a stout, physical player, who tied rookie safety Beau Brade with a team-high 19 tackles in three preseason games.
Bengals RB Chase Brown
The Canadian will get plenty of opportunities to carry the ball with the departure of Joe Mixon, who was traded to the Texans. Moss averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season and is a solid blocker and pass catcher.
Bengals CB DJ Turner II
The talented defensive back is effective in coverage and will get plenty of opportunities as opponents throw the ball to keep pace with the Bengals’ explosive offense. Turner has some struggles as a rookie, but he’s poised to take the next step in his young career.
Browns S Grant Delpit
The fourth-year player will play a key role in the dominant Browns defense. Delpit had 80 tackles, a career-high 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception over 13 games last season, and can build on those numbers if he can stay healthy.
Browns WR Jerry Jeudy
After being traded from the Broncos, a change of scenery should benefit Jeudy, a 2020 first-round pick from Alabama. Jeudy has shined in training camp and is a perfect compliment to fellow wideout Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku.
Steelers LB Nick Herbig
The 2023 fourth-round from Wisconsin is pushing to make a bigger impact after a dominant performance in training camp. Last season, Herbig played in all 17 games, finishing with three sacks and two forced fumbles, and has gotten better this offseason.
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.
The son of a former Steelers linebacker already made his mark as a rookie, playing in 17 games and allowing 24 receptions over 807 snaps. Porter is a hard worker and can eventually emerge as one of the league’s top defensive backs.
Week 1 Outlook
Ravens vs. Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 8:20 p.m. ET
A rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game when the Chiefs emerged with a 17-10 victory en route to their second straight Lombardi Trophy. The primetime opener is not short on star power with a pair of two-time MVPs – quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs will unveil their Super Bowl LVIII banner and feed off the energy of a raucous crowd. Mahomes has gone 4-1 head-to-head against Jackson. However, Kansas City will be challenged to contain the Ravens newly signed running back, Derrick Henry, a four-time Pro Bowler. The Ravens inexplicably ran the ball just 16 times in the AFC Championship despite having the NFL’s top ground attack. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh won’t make that same mistake this time.
Bengals vs, Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow returns to the lineup after suffering a season-ending wrist injury 10 games into the 2023 season. If Burrow can stay healthy, the Bengals have enough talent to make a deep playoff run. Patriots coach Jerod Mayo named Jacoby Brissett the team’s starting quarterback over rookie Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the draft. Brissett has 48 career starts and played 27 snaps in this year’s preseason, going 5-of-14 for 36 yards with an interception (14.6 rating). New England could struggle to keep pace with the Bengals’ high-powered offense.
Browns vs Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 8, 4:25 p.m. ET
Deshaun Watson is trying to get his career back on track in Cleveland after dealing with injuries last season that limited him to six games. Watson has a strong group of wide receivers with Amari Cooper and newly acquired Jerry Jeudy. However, Cleveland will be without four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, who is still recovering from a knee injury. Cleveland should have a fearsome defense, led by Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett. The unit will keep the pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, whose future in Dallas is uncertain because of an unresolved contract issue.
Steelers vs. Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET
The Russell Wilson era begins for the Steelers … how long will it last? Wilson was underwhelming in the preseason and coach Mike Tomlin could hand the offense over to Justin Fields. Pittsburgh will have a formidable pass rush with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith to pressure Atlanta’s offensive line. The new-look Falcons will rely on quarterback Kirk Cousins to get the franchise back on track. Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot caused a stir when he signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in March and then used the eighth overall pick in the draft to select another quarterback — Michael Penix Jr.