2017 NFL Predictions: AFC North

As part of an ongoing 8-part series, the Steel City Underground team takes their stab at predicting the 2017 NFL season.

This edition focuses on the AFC North.

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Here’s some commentary justifying everyone’s picks:

Joe

Any other year this would be a homer pick, but the Steelers should easily be the class of this division. The AFC North will be its worst in years, as I don’t see any of the other three teams having a winning record.

The Bengals have the most talent and should be second in the division by default. The Browns could put up 5-6 wins with a younger, revamped team who could keep some games close.

Keeping games close has been the Ravens formula for years, but I’m not sure that Joe Flacco has enough weapons to put up points: and he hasn’t been on the field either. They lost some pieces on offense and defense, and haven’t been able to rebuild the team that won the Super Bowl years ago. They will be the basement dweller here unless Cleveland has another disastrous season.

Brian

I have the Steelers going 14-2. That’s the number I picked when breaking down the schedule, and I’m sticking with it. They simply have too much talent and it’s time for them to pull it all together.

The rest of the division is falling apart before our eyes, except maybe, dare I say it, the Browns. Still, I expect the Bengals will regret not drafting some offensive lineman and fall to 7-9 and Marvin Lewis’ tenure with the team ends.

That’s good enough for second in the division.

The real battle is for the last place. I expect the Browns to improve and think they may win 4 games, maybe 5. They have shown improvement, but preseason doesn’t always translate to regular season.

The Ravens are an episode of the Walking Dead. I think that Joe Flacco is one good whack away from being gone for the year (backs are nothing to mess around with, just ask Tony Romo), and the squad has already lost so many players to season ending injury that they may struggle to stay out of the basement. I’m calling it a toss up and have them winning four or five games as well and tying the Browns for last place in the division.

Tina

After what I’ve seen during the preseason, I am not handing any of these teams the division championship automatically. Brass tacks? The Steelers are loaded for the longest haul, but they’ll have to avoid the trap games and playing down to lesser opponents if they want it all this year.

The Bengals added some intriguing talent into the mix, but everything is hinged on how well the personalities mix – I smell some issues there.

As for the Ravens and Browns: two teams in full disaster mode; one in Cleveland hoping youth will make up for a lack of all-around solid talent; one in Baltimore hoping they can field 11 guys on offense. Flacco’s back was supposed to be no big deal…but where has he been? Certainly not helping Ryan Mallett. I think the Browns edge the Ravens this season. And with Baltimore extending Harbaugh for only one extra season (through 2019 now versus 2018 before), the writing may be on the wall.

Tommy

This seems like a cop-out list, but I believe there’s a good chance it finishes this way. The Steelers are the clear favorites, while the Bengals should possess enough talent on their roster to hold down second place. The Browns are clearly on the rise, and the Ravens are falling, but I don’t believe it will be enough to flip places quite yet. I worry about what the Browns could be in just a year or two, but as of now, this is Pittsburgh’s division to lose.

Mike

The AFC North will be won by the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are loaded on offense, improving on defense and have the motivation to play for Mr. Rooney. Behind them, I see the Bengals coming in second and taking a Wild Card. They are a good football team and Andy Dalton wins games (in the regular season that is).

The Ravens are still a bit down and Joe Flacco can’t be counted on any longer, they’ll finish third but will still be feisty enough to cause a little havoc here and there. Last, you’ll see the good ole Cleveland Browns because, well, they are the Browns aren’t they?

Terry

The Steelers are so loaded offensively that they had to do something to strengthen the secondary… and they did with the recent free agent acquisition of 7-year CB Joe Haden from the Browns. This two-time Pro Bowl player is just what we needed to compliment Artie Burns and give FS Mike Mitchell some veteran help in the backfield. Now Pittsburgh will be able to win games without having to put 30+ points on the board or hope another DB makes a game-saving tackle.

Cincinnati has so much defensive talent but those players can’t control themselves on or off the field. I blame the organization and the coach for that. They will again start with Burfict on a 3 game suspension as they did last year. I see another imploding season. The Ravens are just an injury after injury team. Joe Flacco’s back injury has Tony Romo written all over it.

The Browns, with rookie DeShone Kizer, named the starting quarterback over $16 million roster cut Brock Osweiler is a reality show we won’t be able to look away from!

By Joe Kuzma Founder and Head Writer of Steel City Underground. Crusher of trolls. Voice of reason. Can’t decide whether I like the Steelers more than craft beer. Why do I have to choose? Follow @joe_kuzma

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