2025 AFC North Predictions

The AFC North is stacked, to say the least. Possibly the best division in football. A division led by two esteemed quarterbacks, the Baltimore Ravens' supernova Lamar Jackson and the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, with his sniper-like accuracy. Both quarterbacks hope to propel their teams to the top of the division and the Super Bowl. The Steelers added a legendary quarterback on his last legs, while the Cleveland Browns will be plagued by a quarterback conundrum all season.

Let’s dive into my 2025 AFC North predictions with my winner selected at the end as we close out the AFC Conference.

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AFC North

Cleveland Browns

Last season: 3-14, missed playoffs

The Browns will face intense competition at quarterback throughout the season. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and the highly anticipated rookie Shedeur Sanders form a platoon system of four quarterbacks. Flacco will be the starting quarterback to begin the season, but don't be surprised if Kevin Stefanski decides to give Sanders a chance to start if the Browns' season goes south quickly to give the rookie some experience.

The Browns had a massive overhaul of their coaching staff with five new coaches, including Christian Jones (Giants & Vikings) and Sanders Davis as offensive line coach. They had the worst offense in the NFL last season, finishing last in both points per game (15.2) and yards per pass (5.9). According to StatsMuse, the team struggled to protect the quarterback, placing 28th in QB sack percentage and second in total sacks allowed last season with 66, trailing only the Chicago Bears, who led the league with 68.

They re-signed Myles Garrett to a four-year, $150 million deal to keep their star defensive pass rusher. However, the team has mediocre quarterback personnel and an unstable offensive line.

Prediction: 4-13, miss playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers

Last season: 10-7, lost to Baltimore in Wild Card

Following Russell Wilson's departure to the New York Giants, the Steelers chose to sign four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers in free agency. Rodgers is approaching the conclusion of his career. Despite being far from his prime, he had a solid season in terms of statistics last year. He is one of three QBs (Tom Brady and Brett Favre) to throw for 3500+ passing yards with 25+ touchdowns at the age of 40 or older in a season, joining Brady as the only one to do it this decade.

Rodgers won’t be without weapons, as the Steelers acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf via a trade from Seattle, signing him to a five-year, $150 million extension. Metcalf gives the Steelers a legitimate go-to receiver they lacked last season, as last year's leader in reception yards and targets, George Pickens, departed for Dallas.

Other key weapons they signed were Darius Slay, a former Pro Bowl and All-Pro CB from the Eagles, who led the Super Bowl Champs in passes defended with 13. In addition, they acquired tight end Jonnu Smith via trade (Miami) in the Mintz Fitzpatrick deal, including All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey. 

Despite having a robust run defense, the Steelers faced challenges defending the pass. The Steelers ranked 23rd in terms of passing yards allowed per game and 17th in terms of yards allowed per pass. Adding players such as Ramsey and Slay should alleviate some of the issues they had in the secondary last season, making it tougher for opponents.

A lack of depth offensively may hurt the Steelers, including the loss of their primary running back, Najee Harris, to the Chargers. With their strong defensive unit and Tomlin at the forefront, I still expect them to make the playoffs as long as their offense can be average.

Prediction: 12-5, make playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals

Last season: 9-8, missed playoffs

The biggest question heading into this offseason for the Bengals is whether or not owner Mike Brown will re-sign Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson. Brown has a reputation for being “cheap” and not spending on players and facilities. Luckily, Bengals fans can breathe again, as they re-signed their star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million contract extension with $112 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

Chase was breathtaking last season. He became one of five receivers in NFL history last season to record 1,700+ receiving yards, 15+ touchdowns, and over 100+ receiving yards per game. The others are Jerry Rice (1995), Herman Moore (1995), Calvin Johnson (2011), and Cooper Kupp (2021). Chase also becomes one of six receivers this decade to have two or more seasons of at least 1,200+ receiving yards, 85+ receiving yards per game, 10+ yards per reception, and at least six receiving touchdowns in a season, joining Justin Jefferson (four), Davante Adams (three), Tyreek Hill (three), Nico Collins (two), and Stefon Diggs (two).

Historic company.

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As dynamic as Chase is, he can’t do it alone, as the Bengals made sure to secure his “Robin,” Higgins, to a four-year, $115 million contract that includes a $30 million guarantee at signing, with the first two years fully guaranteed. For Hendrickson, they gave him a $14 million raise to his salary to $30 million with incentives.  He’ll be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks with 17.5, becoming the first Bengal to do so since the stat became official in 1982. He also earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and was named First Team All-Pro

One of the biggest weaknesses for the Bengals was their offensive line, as they ranked 18th in QB sack percentage and 23rd in sacks allowed per game. They bolstered their offensive line by signing Lucas Patrick from Green Bay while drafting Dylan Fairchild from Georgia and Jalen Rivers from Miami; they hope they can protect their franchise cornerstone in Burrow.

To enhance their pass rush, they signed LB Oren Burks from the Eagles and drafted edge rusher Shemar Stewart. Stewart is a massive pass rusher out of Texas A&M, standing at 6’5” and weighing 256 lbs. he has looked comfortable in the preseason and will pair nicely alongside Hendrickson. He may not be an immediate impact player, as the Bengals' defense will be their Achilles' heel this season.

Prediction: 10-7, make playoffs

Baltimore Ravens

Last season: 12-5, lost in the Divisional Round to Buffalo.

Baltimore is among the most talented teams in the NFL. Since the ascension of Lamar Jackson in 2019-20, when he became just the second player to win MVP unanimously, they have a 68-32 record, good for third-best in the league, behind only the Chiefs and Bills in that span.

Jackson became the first player in NFL history with 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards en route to usurping Michael Vick as the all-time quarterback rushing leader with over 6,000 rushing yards. However, Jackson and the Ravens still have yet to make a Super Bowl appearance, now entering his eighth NFL season with the franchise. The Ravens' last Super Bowl appearance came in Super Bowl XLVII, when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers.

They signed WR DeAndre Hopkins to a one-year deal, giving the Ravens a former star veteran receiver as another threat on the outside to pair with their young duo of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, along with star tight end Mark Andrews.

They added cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was a key component in the Packers' ranking eighth in opponent pass yards allowed per game, which will help strengthen the secondary. Add in former first-team All-Pro Ronnie Stanley to the offensive line, and the Ravens should be a heavy AFC favorite to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

Of course, we couldn’t forget Derrick Henry, who is simply a top-three running back in the league. Henry was everything the Ravens could have hoped for when they signed him to alleviate pressure off Jackson in the run game. Henry is the only running back in NFL history to have three seasons of over 1,900 rushing yards, 15+ touchdowns, and at least 110 rushing yards per game.

Terrell Davis is the only other to do so back-to-back in 1997 and 1998.

Prediction: 12-5, make playoffs

Division Winner: Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens have the best quarterback in the division in Jackson, who’s unlike anyone in the NFL. Pair him with a Henry who’s unstoppable when he’s on his game and indefatigable, who happens to get stronger as the game progresses. Add in a solid defense and some added secondary help in Alexander, who can pair with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, and you have a team that should be feared around the league.