Steve Selby previews the AFC North and The Post will provide a division-by-division breakdown ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
1. Baltimore Ravens
coach: John Harbaugh
2023 Record: 13-4
O/U wins: 10.5
Main additions: RB Derrick Henry, OT Josh Jones, LB Chris Board, CB Nate Wiggins, OT Roger Rosengarten, DE Adisa Isaac, WR Devonte's Walker, CB TJ Tampa
Main starting points: QB Tyler Huntley, RB JK Dobbins, RB Gus Edwards, WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Devin Duvernay, OT Morgan Moses, G Kevin Zeitler, G John Simpson, DE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Patrick Queen, CB Ronald Darby, CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Geno Stone
First and Goal: Two-way QB Lamar Jackson was the league MVP again and is 10 pounds lighter. Henry is 30 years old but should be a perfect match for any opponent. TE Mark Andrews is healthy and second-year WR Zay Flowers (77 catches, 5 TDs) is the No. 1 receiver. Backup TE Isaiah Likely (5 TDs) is an athletic weapon. LT Ronnie Stanley needs to stay on the field. Center Tyler Linderbaum is a star. DL Justin Madubuike (13 sacks) and run-stopper Michael Pierce both play like Ravens. Safety Kyle Hamilton is a Pro Bowler. Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stevens and nickel Arthur Maulet (knee) look good. MLB Roquan Smith (148 tackles) was a key part of a defense that ranked first in fewest points allowed (16.5), most sacks (60) and most turnovers (31) in a single season. Under Todd Monken, the offense finished fourth in points allowed (28.4 ppg) and sixth in offense. Kicker Justin Tucker is a natural. Harbaugh is a top-tier player.
Force and Long: Three O-linemen will need to be replaced. Second-year Rosengarten will replace Moses. Can DC Zach Orr replace Mike McDonald? Will first-round draft pick Nate Wiggins take over for Maulet? The schedule is tough, with the Chiefs, Texans, Eagles and Bills, plus a division rival. Can Jackson get through the playoff hoops and make it to the Super Bowl?
prediction: 10-7. Jackson and Henry exchange deadly 1-2 ground attacks.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
coach: Zac Taylor
2023 Record: 9-8
O/U wins: 10.5
Main additions: RB Zack Moss, TE Mike Gesicki, OT Trent Brown, DT Sheldon Rankins, S Geno Stone, S Vonn Bell, OT Amarius Mims, DT Kris Jenkins Jr., WR Jermaine Burton, NT McKinley Jackson, TE Eric Orr, CB Josh Newton
Main starting points: RB Joe Mixon, WR Tyler Boyd, TE Irv Smith, OT Jonah Williams, DT DJ Reeder, CB Chidobe Awuzie, S Nick Scott
First and Goal: QB Joe Burrow is healthy. WR Ja'Marr Chase is good and WR Tee Higgins is Batman's Robin. Secondary (65 passes of 20+ yards) strengthened with the addition of Stone and the return of Bell. RB Joe Mixon replaced by Moss and Chase Brown. DC Lou Anarumo is a Staten Island native and sports writer for The Post. DE Trey Hendrickson (17.5 sacks) is good. LB Logan Wilson recorded a career-high 135 tackles last season. Clutch kicker Evan McPherson signed a three-year contract extension. Three of the first four games will be against teams with first-year head coaches and/or rookie quarterbacks.
Force and Long: Chase opted out of training camp for a contract extension. Reeder is a talented run stuffer who went to the Lions. Boyd brings 67 receptions to Tennessee. LT Orlando Brown Jr. needs to step up. Can Dan Pitcher replace Brian Callahan as offensive coordinator?
prediction: 10-7. Burrow to Chase. Burrow to Higgins.
3. Cleveland Browns
coach: Kevin Stefanski
2023 Record: 11-6
O/U wins: 8.5
Main additions: QB Jameis Winston, QB Tyler Huntley, RB Nyheim Hines, RB Donta Foreman, WR Jerry Jeudy, OT Akeem Adeniji, DT Quinton Jefferson, LB Jordan Hicks, LB Devin Bush, CB Tony Brown, DT Michael Hall, G Zach Zinter
Main starting points: QB Joe Flacco, RB Kareem Hunt, TE Harrison Bryant, DT Jordan Elliott, LB Anthony Walker, LB Sione Takitaki
First and Goal: Jim Schwartz presides over the league's best defense. Myles Garrett (14 sacks) is awesome, and Za'Darius Smith is a quality bookend. LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and CB Denzel Ward are coming off seasons in which they were selected to the Pro Bowl. Stefanski was named NFL Coach of the Year. The offensive line will be back as is when they get healthy. No. 1 WR Amari Cooper is 30 years old, but has recorded six 1,000-yard seasons. TE David Njoku (81 catches) was a threat as a second option. RB Jerome Ford was a pleasant surprise last season. Winston is one of the better backup QBs.
Force and Long: QB Deshaun Watson is off an elite team and is dealing with shoulder soreness. RB Nick Chubb (knee surgery) is on a pitching limit upon his return. Four of the first six games are on the road. LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) may not be ready to start the season. If Jeudy had played like the first-round draft pick he was, Sean Payton wouldn't have let him go.
prediction: 8-8-1. Watson has been plagued by shoulder problems and isn't a good enough quarterback to compete with Burrow or Jackson.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
coach: Mike Tomlin
2023 Record: 10-7
O/U wins: 8.5
Main additions: QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, QB Kyle Allen, RB Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Van Jefferson, DT Dean Lawrie, LB Patrick Queen, CB Donte Jackson, S DeShawn Elliott, P Cameron Johnston, OT Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier, WR Roman Wilson, LB Peyton Wilson, C Mason McCormick
Main starting points: QB Kenny Pickett, QB Mason Rudolph, WR Dionta Johnson, C Mason Cole, DT Armon Watts, OLB Markus Golden, CB Levi Wallace
First and Goal: OLB TJ Watt (19 sacks) is top-notch. Tomlin doesn't have a losing record. WR George Pickens has a chance for a breakout season. RB Najee Harris and Jalen Warren are a great 1-2 tandem. TE Pat Friarmuth caught 123 passes in 2021 and 2022. DT Cameron Heyward is a respected captain, six-time Pro Bowl selection and leader in tackles. Queen (133 tackles, 3.5 sacks) was picked up by the Ravens. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is a star player and second-year CB Joey Porter Jr. is talented. The kicking game is strong thanks to K Chris Boswell and P Cameron Johnston.
Force and Long: How much of an upgrade would QB Wilson and Fields be? Two rookies will start on the O-line. Could either Jefferson or rookie WR Roman Wilson replace Johnson? DT Cameron Heyward is 35. Was the hiring of conservative OC Arthur Smith the right choice?
prediction: (8-8-1) Fields filled in for Wilson and flashed his usual brilliance, but it was a reminder that this is still a work in progress team with no receiver opposite Pickens.
