Division Reviews are back and better than ever! After a year break, CloudZeroSports is here to give their record predictions for the 2023 season. Starting out this series is the highly competitive and up-for-grabs AFC North.
Cleveland Browns:
Offense Overview: The Browns will be looking forward to an entire season out of Deshaun Watson as he looks to return to his 2020 form. Last year, he only played in 6 games, which were not impressive. He had 1,102 yards, 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. In those 6 games, the offense put up 12.83 points per game, and he looked lost on almost every possession. He has a top 5 running back in Nick Chubb to help him with those woes. Chubb had 1,525 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns to go along with it. As for the receivers, Amari Cooper returns after a solid 1,160-yard season with 9 touchdowns. Joining him this year is Elijah Moore, who looks to benefit from the new scenery. All-Pro Joel Bitonio leads the offensive line. The rest of the line is solid, with Left Tackle Jedrick Wills looking for a bounce-back year.
Defense Overview: Last year, their defensive line was tied for 27th in the league in sacks and was 25th in rushing defense. Myles Garrett accounted for 16 of their 34 total sacks last year. Their defense was bad, and there was no other way around it. However, this year, I expect different results. Jim Schwartz was hired as the defensive coordinator along with Dalvin Tomlinson and Ogbonna Okoronkwo, who could have a breakout season. The linebacker core is still acceptable, with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah leading the way. The secondary is strong, with Denzel Ward coming off a solid year with 3 picks. Grant Delpit led the team in tackles and interceptions and will be a massive part of this team’s success.
Overall Assessment: On paper, this team should succeed. There are significant upgrades to the defensive line and a solid WR2 for Watson to work with. However, the Browns have a tough schedule to begin the season, and I can’t see Watson flipping the switch immediately and finding his 2020 form without shaking off some rust first. This Brown’s team has a promising future if Watson can figure it out. However, I don’t see that happening this year. Projected Finish: 7-10, 4th in the AFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Offense Overview: Kenny Pickett is entering his second season, coming off an underrated 2022 campaign with 2,404 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. The bulk of those interceptions came in the first half of 12 starts last year. In the final 6 games, he led the Steelers to a 5-1 record and only threw 1 interception. His ability to make throws on the run is fantastic. He can be antsy in the pocket, but I anticipate that those jitters will go away as his career continues. Najee Harris was able to eclipse 1,000 again, even with a foot injury slowing him down. I expect to see another 1,000-yard season out of him. Allen Robinson joins Diontae Johnson and George Pickens to make a solid receiving core. I don’t expect Johnson to be without a touchdown this year again. Broderick Jones makes up a blossoming offensive line. He is a great athlete and solid left tackle, but I expect to see some growing pains as he adjusts to facing some of the best pass rushers in the league.
Defense Overview: Cameron Heyward may be 34, but he isn’t showing signs of slowing down, putting up a 10.5 sack season. Alongside him is Larry Ogunjobi, who defended the run very well alongside Heyward. TJ Watt only played 10 games last year with 5.5 sacks, but we all know what he can do when healthy. Alex Highsmith led the team with 14.5 sacks; however, I expect those numbers to decrease with a healthy TJ Watt being on the field on the opposite side of him. Minkah Fitzpatrick leads a new-look secondary alongside veteran Patrick Peterson and Keanu Neal. Fitzpatrick had 6 interceptions last year and has established himself as a top 3 safety, if not the best safety in the NFL. It will be interesting to see if Fitzpatrick, Porter Jr., Peterson, and Neal can replicate last year’s success.
Overall Assessment: This team will be very good, but the offense concerns me. Matt Canada is one of the worst offensive coordinators in the league. He runs the same predictable plays all the time, and it showed last year as the offense was in the bottom half of the league in rushing and passing. The Steelers offense needs a change in scheme, and until then, this offense will hold them back. They have the talent, but this is a challenging division to play against. Projected Finish: 9-8, 3rd in the AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens
Offense Overview: Lamar Jackson is back after signing a 5 year 260 million contract. Jackson played 12 games last year, totaling 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He even led the team in rushing yards with 764. With Greg Roman out as offensive coordinator and Todd Monken in, I expect to see more of a passing game out of Lamar and Raven’s offense. J.K Dobbins should be the lead back after an injury-plagued season in 2022, and I expect him to have a solid year. The receiving core is the best on paper in the Lamar Jackson era. A healthy Bateman and Odell, rookie Flowers, and All-Pro Mark Andrews should be a force for Lamar to work with. All-Pro Tackle Ronnie Stanley and sophomore Tyler Linderbuam lead the offensive line, who should do a great job protecting Lamar in this new offense.
Defense Overview: The loss of Calais Campbell will undoubtedly hurt this team’s front 7, but Michael Pierce’s return should make up for some of the loss. Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, and Tyus Bowser have the potential to produce a scary pass rush after a disappointing 2022 campaign. Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen have the best linebacker duo in the league potential. Queen can be the physical run-stopper, while Smith can be more disruptive in coverage. Either way, this linebacking core has a very high upside. The secondary also has a high upside if they can stay healthy. Marlon Humphrey is a top-10 corner, and the safety duo of Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams can prove to be very effective. The depth outside the starters worries me, but this is still an outstanding defense.
Overall Assessment: Todd Monken has a lot of pressure to create a dynamic passing and rushing offense. I think he is up to the task. This is the first time the Ravens have built a serious offense around Lamar, and I think they will be fine. The defense should also be a top-10 unit in the league. Remember, this team took the Bengals to their limit with Huntley as their QB. There may be some growing pains in the offense, but with Lamar back and new weapons, this team should be firing on all cylinders. Projected Finish: 11-6, 2nd in the AFC North.
Cincinnati Bengals
Offense Overview: Joe Burrow enters his 4th season as the 2nd best quarterback in the league, in my opinion. Last season, he had 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns. No doubt he can replicate a season like this again. Joe Mixon is now the undisputed lead back on this team with the departure of Samajae Perine. Mixon had 814 yards and 7 touchdowns last year, which was well below his standards. I expect him to hit the 1,000-yard mark again and put up double-digit touchdowns. The Bengals’ receiving core is arguably the best in the league. Chase and Higgins put up 1,000-yard seasons, and Tyler Boyd had a 750-yard season. There’s no reason they can’t replicate this production again. It will also be interesting to see if Irv Smith Jr. can make an impact. Orlando Brown Jr. is a crucial addition to the offensive line. Otherwise, it is mostly the same unit with a huge question mark at right tackle.
Defense Overview: The Bengals were ranked 7th in stopping the run last year but ranked 29th in sacks. Chubba Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson had downyears, only putting up 6.5 and 8 sacks, respectively. BJ Hill and DJ Reader were unmovable forces in the run game last year, and I expect them to be great again. Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson look to be a solid linebacking pair for the upcoming season after having 123 and 99 combined tackles, respectively. The secondary lost Jessie Bates and Von Bell, which definitely hurts. Nick Scott and Dax Hill look to lead a below-average secondary.
Overall Assessment: I picked this team to finish last place two years ago with no real future. I have been proven extremely wrong. The secondary may be weak, and the defensive line may have been underwhelming in terms of sacks, but, this offense is legit enough to carry them. Joe Burrow has established himself as a true competitor, and I expect this team to win this division again. Projected Finish: 12-5, 1st in the AFC North.
The CloudZeroSports Team Division Predictions:
Stephen’s Pick: Bengals I was tempted to pick the Ravens, and while I am high on them, the Bengals are the most complete team in the division. I don’t think the Browns are serious contenders for the division this year. The Steelers are close but not there yet, and I think the Ravens will be good again, not division winners. I believe this is the Bengals last clear shot at this division before things get really competitive next year.
Dante’s Pick: Bengals Who Dey think is going to take the AFC North crown again in 2023? The Cincinnati Bengals, that’s who. Joe Burrow is out for revenge after going down in the AFC Championship last year. Ja’Marr Chase was virtually unstoppable as a rookie and figures to return to that form this year. Joe Mixon remains one of the game’s most versatile and dangerous backs. And the offensive line woes of years past finally seem to be rectified. Meanwhile, the defense is loaded with playmakers like Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson. Of course, the rest of the division will make it challenging. The Ravens and Lamar Jackson will put up a fight, as will the new-look Browns led by Deshaun Watson, and don’t forget about the Steelers, who always manage to hang around. But when it’s all said and done, Cincinnati has the talent and swagger to fend off their AFC North rivals and repeat as division champs. Assuming Burrow stays healthy, bank on the Bengals to once again reign supreme in 2023.
Puggy’s Pick: Steelers When I was about to write this, I thought I had a clear decision on who would win this division, but after doing some research, my decision changed completely. At first, I would have said the Bengals. I’ve been a huge fan of what the Bengals have done in the prior years. However, I think this year might come as a shock to them. Don’t get me wrong, the Bengals have made significant additions this off-season, including the likes of offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., but at the same time, everyone else in that division improved. The one team I think has made the best additions is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers made additions and have what it takes to win many games this year. They made additions to a terrible offensive line, added more depth to their lackluster secondary, and, most importantly, they have Mike Tomlin as their head coach. Tomlin is going into year 17 as the head coach, and in the 16 prior seasons, Tomlin has yet to have a season under .500. Tomlin has shown that he knows how to win, and with that being said, the Steelers have a great chance to go 4-1, maybe even 5-0 going into their week 6 bye. In the end, with the Steelers having a rejuvenated offense and coach who knows how to win, I see them shocking many people and winning the AFC North.
Zach’s Pick: Bengals The AFC North has many talented players who can easily make a game-changing difference. However, the Bengals are still the ones to beat this year. The perfect combination of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase threatens any defense in their path. On top of that, they still have great players in Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. As long as the offensive line protects Joe Burrow, he can get that ball anywhere. That being said, it will not be a walk in the park this year for the Bengals. The Bengals would be wise to recognize the other teams in their division. Baltimore added good depth to their receiver core, and Lamar Jackson is still Lamar Jackson. The Steelers could easily make headways as long as their quarterbacks stay competent, and if Deshaun Watson returns to his Houston form, the Browns can certainly try. However, they all got to beat the Bengals.
Ryan’s Pick: Bengals My prediction for AFC North would be the Bengals. They already have a solid offense with Joe Burrow as the quarterback. The wide receivers are still some of the best in the NFL. They focused on beefing up their defense for the draft, as now they have the 10th-best defense in the league per Pro Football Focus. The Bengals have to fend off the Ravens, as the Ravens are a close second pick with Lamar Jackson and the revamped offense. It should be an exciting division to watch as the season plays out.
Micky’s Pick: Bengals For me, this division is usually a tough one because there’s been plenty of cases for all 4 teams in recent years. However, given that the team that finished 3rd in the division last year made the most changes and will still be relying on Kenny Pickett this year, it does not give me enough to base a difference of opinion on the standings this year. Aside from the surface-level changes, you get Watson getting a full year in with the Browns, and if he can return to his prior form, there’s a case the Browns can jump in the standings but not enough to grab that 1 spot. The Steelers stocking up helps their cause to finish in first place, but I still wouldn’t bet on it, especially when we’ve seen what Burrow and the Bengals can accomplish. As for the Ravens, there are more subtractions than additions, and the key addition is way past his prime, Odell. I’m glad they got (Zay) flowers to put on the grave of their hopes to make the playoffs. Burrow is an elite quarterback on an elite team. They should have no problem winning this division again.
Dustin’s Pick: Bengals The AFC North is an exciting division in that all the teams are quality, except, at least to me, there is a clear leader: the Bengals. While the Ravens have a great quarterback to lean on and potentially the Browns, Joe Burrow is exceptional, probably a top-three quarterback in the league, and has shown his ability and level-headedness in tough playoff situations. The Bengals also have a very underrated couple of pass rushers in Hendrickson and Hubbard and another couple of quality linebackers behind them in Wilson and Pratt. The Browns are no slouches with the likes of Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett. The Ravens have considerable young talent with very high potential. The Steelers lack the ability to compete seriously, and I think they will look to finish a game or two below .500 at best. Lastly, not that it’s significantly less complicated, but the Bengals might also have the most reasonable schedule in the division. This will be a fun division to watch, but I don’t see how the Bengals will fail to take the title handily.
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