In the first of our fan preview articles, we delve into the home of the AFC Champions and to a division that in the past couple of years as never been easy to predict who was going to come out of it as champion.
Quarterbacks are the most important player in the sport, but when it comes to order and stability at the position, the AFC North has had something of a rough time this offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a pretty fierce competition between Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, the Baltimore Ravens can't get Lamar Jackson's contract sorted out, the Cleveland Browns have had to deal with Deshaun Watson's off-field issues, whilst the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow had a few health problems to deal with.
But what do the fans make of the state of their teams and how do they think it will play out? We reached out to a number of fans from all teams in the AFC North and asked them their views on their respective franchises, asking five of the same questions to each responder before giving them one unique question each, after which we will reveal our prediction for how the division will look come the end of the regular season.
Cincinnati Bengals - @WhoDeyUk
What went well for you last season?
Everything. For the past few seasons we’ve been blighted by injuries to key players, but last season injuries were miraculously kept to a minimum. This was crucial to building continuity and momentum, and the players benefitted. One of them was Joe Burrow, whose progress throughout the season was emblematic of the whole team – inconsistent in the early going and then, as things developed, kicking the door down and getting into an unstoppable groove. The aforementioned Burrow was just outstanding; calm under pressure, supremely confident and cut-throat ruthless.
But it wasn’t just the offense. Our maligned defense – so bad the year before – got an influx of new players via free agency and the draft and was also outstanding, producing key stops, sacks and turnovers at crucial times.
What area do you need to improve on?
It’s an obvious answer, but the offensive line. And the club know it as well. During the off-season the unit was completely retooled, and snapped up Ted Karras, Alex Cappa and La’el Collins in a bid to shore things up.
With former first-round pick Jonah Williams a steady option at left tackle, the only spot that looks up for grabs is left guard – it’s between former second-round pick Jackson Carman (who had an indifferent rookie year and was accused of a hideous sexual assault this off-season) and rookie Cordell Volson. If this unit does improve and gives Burrow even a few more seconds time, watch out. We’re praying all of our new recruits stay healthy.
How confident are you going into this year and what do you expect your record to be?
What the team did remarkably well last season was figure out how to win games. And when I mean figure out how to win, I mean dig really deep when the momentum was against us in games, stick together and ride the wave of pressure. So the mental strength is there, the skill players are there and the fanbase is as energised at anytime I can remember. So we have a chance to do well again. It’s just whether teams will have figured us out and whether we can adapt.
Who is winning MVP and the Super Bowl?
With the likes of Burrow, Herbert etc, there does seem to be a changing of the guard, and I genuinely do think Burrow can take a next step, especially if his offensive line does a better job this season. After last year’s heroics, that’s a scary prospect.
Burrow for MVP, Bengals for the Super Bowl. Homer picks yes, but do you blame me? I like the Chargers and what they’ve done in the off-season, the Chiefs will be there or there abouts and I think the Colts are underdogs. As for the NFC it’ll be the usual suspects, but my dark horse is Philly.
Who is going to end up with the worst record in the league?
It’s always difficult to predict this one – each team and fanbase will enter the season full of optimism. But I have to say some of the Jaguars’ free agency pick-ups and draft selections are head-scratchers. I also think Washington might be in a bit of trouble this year.
Do you worry about Burrow's long-term health given the issues he's had both in his first season and the problems he's faced during this offseason?
After Burrow’s knee injury I think everyone’s worried about his long-term fitness. Every time he goes down with something – anything – there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth. It’s impossible to underestimate how big he is for this club, both on the pitch and off it. He’s developed into a leader, and a real a figurehead. As for this year’s appendicitis, he’s back and recovered so I’m not worried.
Pittsburgh Steelers, @SiWroteThis
What went well for you last season?
While the team was clearly at the start of a transition phase in Ben's final year, what was most encouraging last season was the contributions from the top rookies.
Despite playing behind one of the worst O-Line’s in the league you could see the pure bell-cow talent from Najee. Pat Freiermuth hates the name ‘Baby Gronk’ but you could see why he got it and he’ll be a star in this league. Even 7th round DB Tre Norwood played an important & versatile part-time role that he’s looking to build on this year & he may turn out to be the steal of that draft.
What area do you need to improve on?
It has to be the O-Line, that is what is going to really hold this team back. The weapons are clearly there now, the WR core looks scary, we have an awesome starting RB & TE, however so many elements of this O-Line are weak that I worry it will stall the progression of this offensive unit.
If we expect our rookie QB to come in and thrive, we need him to feel comfortable in the pocket & right now it looks they might not want to even risk putting him back there and watching him run for his life.
How confident are you going into this year and what do you expect your record to be?
Tomlin loves being in this position, Vegas has the Steelers as a 7-win team in their over/unders, but there’s really no reason to bet against Coach T.
People are definitely sleeping on the Steelers because of the QB situation, but what I’ve seen in preseason tells me that this offence can be more exciting and efficient with any of these QB’s under centre than we were in the final year of Ben. If the defence can even remain at the same level as last year and we don’t suffer from major injuries, we will shock people and win 9 or 10 games in a stacked AFC.
Who is winning MVP and the Super Bowl?
After much consideration, I have to stick with the Bills to get over the hump this year and beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Josh Allen as MVP.
What I saw from Allen in their high-profile playoff loss to KC last year finally made me a true believer, that dude has it & I think they are going to score for fun this year. I just hope their defence is able to step up in these high-scoring games and give Allen the chance he needs - he’ll only need one.
Who is going to end up with the worst record in the league?
Man is it too negative to say the Jags AGAIN?
I’ll give Doug Peterson some credit and say that it will be the Bears this year. That team is just in complete turmoil. I liked Fields coming out but the situation he was thrown into last year was dire, and as far as I can tell their draft this year did nothing to help him out. Meanwhile they have high profile players literally desperate to get out of the door. Allen Robinson literally gave up on them last year and frankly, I don’t even blame him. I sense a hard reset is needed in Chicago.
Who do you envision starting more games when all is said and done, Trubisky or Pickett, and why?
If you had asked me even a week ago I would have confidently said Trubisky, I think he has more in the tank than people realise and the Steelers paid him to be a quality bridge QB who was perfect for Pickett to learn under.
However then Kenny came out and absolutely blew me away in two preseason games, he looks so calm and collected for a rookie, he wastes no energy whatsoever in his throwing motion & has the touch, timing and anticipation of an elite QB. It’s got me real excited.
The O-line situation throws a spanner in the works & in the end, maybe they decide not to risk throwing him in behind the line as it’s currently constructed, but if fans sense the first sign of trouble from Mitch, expect the Kenny chants to get LOUD.
Cleveland Browns, @JenHunt_ from www.full10yards.com
What went well for you last season?
I feel with everything that happened with Baker still managing to win games was huge and our defence was solid.
What area do you need to improve on?
Area we need to improve had to be the offence for sure we really struggle with our WRs.
How confident are you going into this year and what do you expect your record to be?
Honestly not very confident given the QB room.. I’ll say our record is around 10-7
Who is winning MVP and the Super Bowl?
MVP I’d say is going to be Joe Burrow and for the Super Bowl I think the Buccaneers.
Who is going to end up with the worst record in the league?
That’s hard but again I’d have to say the Jaguars
Whilst this season might be something of a write-off with the Deshaun Watson news, do you think he's the guy to take you over the top and finally claim a Super Bowl?
Yes definitely they were thinking long-term just not this season. It’s long-term for sure
Ravens - @apulianas of 1 Winning Pod
What went well for you last season?
Before Lamar Jackson got hurt we saw the passing game and concepts really improve. He put up some of his best games as a passer and even with Marquise Brown’s trade to the Cardinals, I expect the progression to continue.
What area do you need to improve on?
The major thing that held back the team last year was the offensive line. The loss of All-Pro tackle Ronnie Stanley led to Lamar’s blind side being a huge vulnerability. Ronnie is hopeful to be back early this season if not Week 1 and hopefully he can be back to his old self. If not, the Ravens have invested in Juan James, Morgan Moses, and 4th rounder Daniel Faalele so there are contingency options that didn’t exist last year.
How confident are you going into this year and what do you expect your record to be?
I think folks are sleeping on this Ravens team. Vegas had them at 9.5 wins which felt like an easy over for me. While in a tough division, I think they can manage to compete with the Bengals for the top seed and expect at least 12 wins this year. They went 8-3 before dropping their next 6 after losing Lamar and that team was already very injured before his injury. I think this is a better overall roster and I hope for a better bill of health.
Who is winning MVP and the Super Bowl?
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens? Am I allowed to say anything else? Honestly I think that is just as likely as many other contenders and their QB like Josh Allen and the Bills or Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
Who is going to end up with the worst record in the league?
Atlanta. They have a lot of retooling left to do.
Does Lamar Jackson have the skillset to lead the Ravens deep into the playoffs, or does he need to change his game in order to help the team?
Lamar Jackson absolutely has the skillset to take the Ravens deep into the playoffs. As we saw against the Chiefs and Colts last year, he can mount major comebacks if behind and go blow for blow with the best offenses. Though the team has a historic running game with him, the pass game is underrated. The efficiency is there, just not the volume other offenses see.
GiveMeSport predicts: Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Browns