The AFC North is a division in transition. Pittsburgh, winner of the last two (and three of the last four) AFC North titles, continues to be the standard. Baltimore, Cincinnati and Cleveland all kept their head coaches for 2018, though there was a moment when it seemed liked none would be back.
Three of the franchises selected quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft, but Cleveland's Baker Mayfield, Baltimore's Lamar Jackson and Pittsburgh's Mason Rudolph probably will not be on the field come Week 1. Still, it's another piece of evidence that the division is transitioning toward the future.
In the present, will anybody catch the Steelers?
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AFC: East | West | North | South
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AFC North: 2018 predictions
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is still the best team in the division with one of the game's best players in Antonio Brown, but there is potential for drama. Ben Roethlisberger, 36, continues to inch closer to retirement. Le'Veon Bell's holdout is a concern, and the Steelers have a new offensive coordinator in Randy Fichtner. The defense has to be better, too. Coach Mike Tomlin has become adept at managing a star-studded roster, but it's a challenge.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens might be headed in a new direction if they can't break their three-year playoff drought. Coach John Harbaugh did once lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory, but this isn't 2012 anymore. General manager Ozzie Newsome is retiring, and Eric DeCosta will take over. It's also a big year for Joe Flacco considering the Ravens were willing to draft Jackson. Baltimore did rank sixth in the NFL in scoring defense (18.9) last season.
Cleveland Browns
There is nowhere to go but up for Cleveland after enduring an 0-16 season. GM John Dorsey and coach Hue Jackson brought in bunch of talent with trades that landed Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and others, and the 2018 NFL Draft yielded Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield. There is genuine enthusiasm around the roster now, and the defense should be better around defensive end Myles Garrett. Can the Browns climb out of the cellar for the first time since 2010?
Cincinnati Bengals
Marvin Lewis is back for a 16th season, but there is uncertainty around his future and the long-term stability of the franchise. Some old habits have not gone away, like Vontaze Burfict starting the season on a suspension. Andy Dalton remains the franchise quarterback, and A.J. Green remains one of the best receivers in the game. Bill Lazor settled in at offensive coordinator after an in-season promotion. Will the creativity continue?
AFC North: 2018 picks
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (7-9)
3. Cleveland Browns (6-10)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
The make-up of the division might be changing, but we'll get the same result at the top for the third straight season.
It's still Pittsburgh, but that's more a product of the competition. The Steelers open at the Browns, face the Ravens on Sunday Night Football in Week 4 and travel to the Bengals in Week 6. If they go 2-1 or better in that stretch, then the other three teams will be scrambling.
Keep one thing in mind: If somebody in the division can hang around with the Steelers, Pittsburgh faces New England and New Orleans in Weeks 15 and 16. The cross-over games with the NFC South won't be easy, and it will be interesting to see if the Browns and Ravens turn to Mayfield and Jackson at any point this season.
