AFC North Showdown: Ravens Lead, Steelers Revamp with Rodgers, Bengals and Browns Face Challenges
July 17, 2025
The Browns are considered a wild card, with a revamped quarterback situation involving veterans and rookies, offering potential for surprising performances despite a low win projection of 4.5.
The Browns are seen as a long shot in 2025, with offensive limitations and a projected last-place finish, though their defense remains a bright spot.
There is significant pressure on Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to lead a deep playoff run, with failure potentially leading to major organizational changes.
The AFC North in 2025 is highly competitive, featuring the Steelers, Browns, Ravens, and Bengals, each with strong reasons to contend for the division title.
The Baltimore Ravens are considered the division's top team, with an expected 11.5 wins driven by Lamar Jackson's improvement, DeAndre Hopkins' addition, and a robust running game led by Derrick Henry.
While the Ravens are favored, the Steelers, Bengals, and Browns also have significant aspirations, with the Steelers acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers to bolster their offense.
The Steelers are undergoing an offensive overhaul and face a key decision regarding star defensive end TJ Watt's future, aiming to improve their playoff chances with Rodgers at quarterback.
The Steelers' win projection is set at 8.5, with analysts divided on whether they will surpass or fall short of that mark.
The Cincinnati Bengals are projected to struggle with around 9.5 wins, as concerns about their defense persist despite an explosive offense led by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.
Analysts predict a potential regression for the Bengals after a disappointing previous season, casting doubt on their ability to improve.
The Browns, despite a strong defense under Jim Schwartz, face uncertainties at quarterback and offensive line, with a low win projection of 4.5 and a record forecast of 3-14.
Summary based on 2 sources