On Sunday, the NFL released its 2019 NFL season schedule. As it is every year, the schedule release was highly anticipated and exciting for NFL fans all around the world. Before the draft, NFL Fan Blitz will predict the standings in each division. This edition of “2019 Pre-NFL Draft Divisional Standings” will focus on the AFC North.
Key: (#)=conference seed, *=playoff contender
Predicted Standings:
(3)* Baltimore Ravens: 11-5
(5)* Cleveland Browns: 10-6
(8) Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6
(16) Cincinnati Bengals: 3-13
Ravens: For the second straight year, expect the Baltimore Ravens, under quarterback Lamar Jackson, to win the AFC North. The team lost some firepower in free agency by losing linebacker C.J. Mosley to the Jets, among others, but still have enough talent to win the division. Credit head coach John Harbaugh for continuing to have confidence in his team despite some disappointing seasons after their Super Bowl 47 appearance.
Browns: Can you believe it? The Browns have a chance this year! Last season, rookie quarterback and first overall pick Baker Mayfield lit up the field, despite having minimal talent offensively. This year, former-LSU teammates Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry are reunited in Cleveland, and the team also added talented running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt could be a great offensive weapon for the Browns, even after being released by the Chiefs last season when a video emerged of him kicking a woman in a hotel. Expect to see the Browns succeed with their new weapons offensively and defensively this season.
Steelers: This has to be a transitional year for the Pittsburgh Steelers – quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is getting older, and the team’s two offensive stars, running back Le’Veon Bell and receiver Antonio Brown, are both no longer with the team. Mike Tomlin should still be able to put together a double-digit win season, but there’s a chance they will miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
Bengals: Oh, the Bengals. This team is unpredictable at times, but it seems as if they will remain in the rebuilding stage this season. West Virginia quarterback and projected-second round pick Will Grier could be a good fit for Cincinnati, since they may be looking to replace 31-year-old Andy Dalton. The Bengals have not made it to the playoffs since 2015 or won a playoff game since 1990, and fans should not expect that to change this season.
