In the ever-changing landscape that is the NFL, the AFC North has become the league’s toughest and most competitive division. It’s so fiercely competitive that its champion might not be decided until the season’s last weekend and any one of four teams could come out on top.
The 2023 season has been a wild ride so far for the four teams that make up the division with each team showing moments of brilliance and vulnerability, making the season outcome the best show to watch in the NFL this season.
At the center of this saga are four teams: the Baltimore Ravens (7-3), Cleveland Browns (6-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) and Cincinnati Bengals (5-4).
The Bengals may be the perfect illustration of where the division stands. They have played in the AFC Championship game the past two seasons and made one Super Bowl appearance. But the Bengals currently sit in last place in the AFC North. If the season ended this week, the Bengals would miss the playoffs but all three of the other division teams would be in.
It’s a coin-toss when it comes to predicting who will win the division in 2023. Will the Ravens maintain their lead? Will the Browns’ resurgence propel them past their rivals without Deshaun Watson? Can the Steelers defy expectations and continue their winning streak? Will we witness a late surge from the Bengals to claim first place?
Here’s a look at the teams and their current state to show how similar and close all four are just past the midway point of the season.
Baltimore Ravens sitting in AFC North catbird seat
The Baltimore Ravens have led the way in this division despite a mix of injuries and self-inflicted wounds. Their strong start, highlighted by victories over teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, set expectations sky-high.
Lamar Jackson is having a great season despite some challenges with his game. While he’s been struggling with passing down field, his overall performance has been impressive. Jackson’s completion rate for throws over 20 yards is just 31.4%. He holds a career-high completion rate of 70.3% and is on track to surpass his best season in total passing yards.
The Ravens’ recent loss to their rivals, the Browns, added a twist to this story. While the loss adds some spice to their journey, if the Ravens can stay healthy and avoid self-destruction, they remain the top contenders in this division.
Cleveland Browns get up, and then they’re down
The Browns are lurking as somewhat of an underdog in this race.
Their season has been a rollercoaster ride, as the Browns have experienced numerous highs and lows. It took a significant turn for the better with their 33-31 victory over the Ravens on Sunday. The impressive victory was fueled by Deshaun Watson’s solid performance, where he appeared to be settling in after his shoulder injury earlier in the year. The low came just days after the big win over Cleveland when Watson was lost for the season due to another shoulder injury.
What looked like an opportunity to gain momentum toward a playoff run was dashed. While the quarterback position remains fluid for the remainder of the season, the Browns’ late-season schedule is much more favorable than their AFC North rivals, which gives Browns fans hope they could stay in the race.
Pittsburgh Steelers continues to steal wins
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been quite puzzling with their 6-3 record. Despite being outgained in yardage by their opponents for nine games, they have somehow managed to come out on top. While this winning streak is commendable, it raises questions about whether they can sustain this level of performance.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and standout linebacker T.J. Watt have played key roles in guiding the team through tough stretches, but second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett has been inconsistent and has looked downright lost at times. Yet, Pickett has a knack for finding his groove in the fourth quarter. His passer rating is 76.2 from quarters one through three, good for sixth worst in the league. But in the fourth quarter, Pickett seems to find his groove and raises it to 101.5, good for sixth-best overall.
Even if Pickett finds more consistency, the Steelers’ schedule is tough. They play the Ravens and Browns once each and then must face Joe Burrow and the Bengals twice. The Steelers’ determination will be put to the test.
Who Dey? No, really who are the Cincinnati Bengals?
It’s tough to discount the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite a drama-filled preseason without Joe Burrow who injured his calf and missed all but two days, Cincinnati is still in the playoff hunt. But, like last weekend when rookie QB C.J. Stroud led the Houston Texans to an upset win in Cincinnati, the Bengals are so Jekyll and Hyde that you don’t know which team you’ll get.
The biggest hurdle for the Bengals is their remaining schedule, which happens to be one of the toughest in the NFL. Due to their rough start, the Bengals are already 0-2 within their division which puts them at a disadvantage regarding tiebreakers. But with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and that stout Bengals defense, Cincinnati could be poised to make a late-season surge.