NFL 2024: AFC North Predictions

The NFL season is around the corner, and all 32 teams are on equal footing for now. Let’s take a look at the past season for each AFC North team, including predictions for each team heading into the 2024-25 season.

AFC North BetMGM 
Best Bets

AFC Outright Winner: Ravens (+550)

AP Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh (+1000)

AP Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow (+225)

Baltimore Ravens

Season Recap

This was the Ravens 28th season in the NFL and 16th under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They finished with a 13-4 record and their second consecutive postseason appearance. With injuries plaguing the team early in the season, the Ravens persevered and had their best record since 2019. The defense led the league in sacks, points per game and takeaways and Lamar Jackson won MVP. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10 in the Divisional Round of the playoffs to go to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2012 before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Major Offseason Moves

The Ravens gained Titans’ running back Derrick Henry, Patriots’ inside linebacker Chis Board and Bills’ wide receiver Deonte Harty. They lost wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Ronald Darby.

Make/Miss Playoffs: Make

Cincinnati Bengals

Season Recap

This was the Bengals’ 54th season in the NFL and fifth under head coach Zac Taylor. They finished with a 9-8 record and were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2020. After struggling with a 5-4 start, the Bengals took a blow in Week 11 with quarterback Joe Burrow having a season-ending wrist injury. Backup Jake Browning helped keep the team afloat for a short time, but back-to-back losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs kicked them out of the playoff picture.

Major Offseason Moves

The Bengals gained Panthers’ safety Vonn Bell, Patriots’ offensive tackle Trent Brown and Colts’ running back Zack Moss. They lost wide receiver Tyler Boyd, linebacker Markus Bailey and defensive tackle D.J. Reader.

Make/Miss Playoffs: Make

Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Recap

This was the Steelers’ 91st season in the NFL, second under general manager Omar Khan and 17th under head coach Mike Tomlin. With their 3rd win of the season against the Ravens in Week 5, the Steelers reached 700 wins. With a Week 17 win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Steelers became the first team in AFC history to have 20 consecutive, non-losing records. Ultimately, they made the playoffs but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round, 31-17.

Major Offseason Moves

The Steelers gained Broncos’ quarterback Russell Wilson, cornerback Cameron Sutton and wide receiver Tarik Black. They lost quarterback Kenny Pickett, quarterback Trace McSorley and offensive lineman Kellen Diesch.

Make/Miss Playoffs: Miss

Cleveland Browns

Season Recap

This was the Browns’ 71st season in the NFL and fourth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry. The team finished with an 11-6 record and their first playoff berth since 2020. They started five different quarterbacks and still managed to make the playoffs before losing to the Texans, 45-14.

Major Offseason Moves

The Browns’ gained Giants’ kicker Cade York, Jets’ defensive end Quinton Jefferson and Saints’ quarterback Jameis Winston. They lost linebacker Charlie Thomas III, center Brian Allen and linebacker Caleb Johnson.

Make/Miss Playoffs: Miss

Division Winner Prediction

I think the Baltimore Ravens have the most momentum coming into this season. They look too stable to not be the division winner, and I think they have a chip on their shoulder and want to get back to another Super Bowl.

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