2019 NFL predictions: How will the AFC shake out?

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AFC North

Cleveland Browns 10-6
Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7
Baltimore Ravens 6-10
Cincinnati Bengals 3-13

Cleveland had a busy offseason by adding to their young talent already on their roster. Their biggest splash came when they traded for Odell Beckham from the New York Giants. Other key additions include; Kareem Hunt, who will be suspended for the first eight games of the season, and veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.

For Cleveland to take a step forward this year, second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield will have to continue on the success at the end of last season when they finished their last seven games 5-2. This year, I believe the Browns can push to increase their win total from seven to ten wins and take the division.

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For the Steelers, the good news is that Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are finally gone and they can focus on a brand new year. Ben Roethlisberger should have another solid year with throwing to the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Donte Moncrief and rookie Diontae Johnson.

James Conner should be able to build on his breakout season. One player I’m looking forward to watching is first-round linebacker Devin Bush. Bush is an incredibly gifted player who should be able to make an immediate impact in Pittsburgh. This Steelers team will likely compete for a playoff spot but ultimately, I see them falling short of Cleveland.

The Ravens are a tough unit to predict after Joe Flacco went down with an injury last year and Lamar Jackson rolled this team into the playoffs. This season, Flacco is in Denver and Jackson leads this team going forward.

If teams figure him out as the Chargers did in the playoffs, it may be tough sailing for the Ravens. Two rookie wide receivers Miles Boykin and Marquise Brown should help Lamar Jackson in his passing game. The defense lost C.J. Mosley and long-time veteran Terrell Suggs and will have a tough time replacing them. With Cleveland and Pittsburgh improving, it is difficult to see Baltimore making the playoffs this year.

The Bengals started last season strong, but fell apart and finally pulled the plug on longtime coach Marvin Lewis. Zac Taylor has a project on his hands with deciding whether Andy Dalton is his quarterback moving forward or see what he has in fourth-round quarterback Ryan Finley, who showed promise in his first preseason game. Either quarterback will have a tough time behind a struggling offensive line and the Bengals have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Bengals could be battling for a top-five draft pick in 2019, having a tough time winning 3 or 4 games.

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