As our NFL season preview roars on here at betcha, we now take a visit to the most physical and pure football division in the league: the AFC North. Every year, you can expect three of these teams to make some kind of noise throughout the regular season and playoff seedings due to the next-level toughness the division brings.
The 2025 season looks like it will be no different, with some of the usual names that dominate this division looking to keep that trend going.
Cleveland Browns
last Season Summary
Now, all those good things I was saying about the AFC North tend not to apply to the Browns, who have long been one of the worst-run franchises in the league. Just look back at how many different starting quarterbacks and head coaches they’ve had over the past few decades. That alone says a lot about the state of the organization.
To give them some credit, they did have some success under current head coach Kevin Stefanski. However, 2024 was not one of those years. They finished 3-14 in what became another forgettable season for the Browns. Much of that failure can be traced back to what many consider the worst contract in NFL history. Deshaun Watson has never returned to his Texans form and missed significant time due to injuries and off-the-field issues, which continued to derail the Browns’ hopes.
Key Additions
QB Joe Flacco
QB Kenny Pickett
WR Diontae Johnson
LB Devin Bush
DL Mason Graham (R)
LB Carson Schwesinger (R)
RB Quinshon Judkins (R)
QB Dillon Gabriel (R)
QB Shedeur Sanders (R)
Key Losses
QB Jameis Winston
RB Nick Chubb
OT Jedrick Wills
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
Core Players
WR Jerry Jeudy
TE David Njoku
OG Wyatt Teller
Edge Myles Garrett
DL Mason Graham (R)
LB Carson Schwesinger (R)
CB Denzel Ward
Season Preview
Offense: For the 2025 Cleveland Browns, the questions on offense begin and end with how the quarterback room will shake out. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, the main storyline centered around the logjam of average talent the Browns now face at the quarterback position.
During free agency, the team brought back veteran Joe Flacco after a year away. They also traded for former division rival and first-round pick Kenny Pickett, who now finds himself on his third team as a pro. Then came the draft, where the Browns made two unexpected moves. In the third round, they selected rookie Dillon Gabriel out of Oregon, a pick that caught some by surprise. Even more shocking was their decision to take Shedeur Sanders out of Colorado in the fifth round, halting what had become an unprecedented draft-day slide for the once-projected first-rounder.
Now, the Browns not only need to figure out which three quarterbacks will make the final roster, but also who will start Week 1. In my opinion, if he’s healthy, Kenny Pickett could be the one to get the nod early, potentially leaving Joe Flacco on the outside looking in. That said, this situation is completely up in the air, and the only voice that really matters is head coach Kevin Stefanski’s.
Outside of the quarterback position, the Browns are looking to revitalize what was the worst offense in the NFL in 2024. They will build around a few key returning pieces, including tight end David Njoku, who continues to produce at a high level. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, a former Broncos castoff, finally had his breakout season and now looks like a potential number-one option.
The most exciting new addition is rookie running back Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State, who hopes to fill the massive void left by Nick Chubb. Unfortunately, Chubb was unable to return to his All-Pro form after suffering a gruesome injury, which opened the door for a new lead back.
The biggest concern for this group, outside of quarterback play, is the offensive line. Once a strength of the team, it is now a major question mark. Four of the five starters are over the age of 30 and have shown clear signs of decline. When you combine a shaky offensive line with uncertainty at quarterback, it’s hard to be overly optimistic about this unit heading into 2025.
Defense: Entering the 2025 offseason, two key questions surrounded the Cleveland Browns. First, how would the Myles Garrett trade request play out after he publicly stated his desire to win? Second, how would the team use the second overall pick, especially as it became increasingly unlikely they would select a quarterback?
The first box was ticked. After all the controversy about where Garrett might end up, the two sides struck a deal that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, locking in the last years of his prime to the Browns’ project. This is huge for their 2025 chances, as any defense with a player like Garrett has every opportunity to wreck the game because of the attention he commands.
One of the key players who could benefit from all that attention is rookie first-round pick Mason Graham out of Michigan, who the Browns picked up after trading down with the Jaguars. Throughout the 2024 college football season, Graham was seen as the unanimous best defensive lineman in the country, which was reflected in where he was taken. The rest of the defensive front lacks some pedigree, though, which raises concerns if one of those two mentioned names goes down at any point with injury.
One of the most exciting parts of this Browns defense is rookie second-rounder Carson Schwesinger, a rangy linebacker out of UCLA. The former walk-on became a key player for the Bruins and consistently turned heads with his athleticism and instincts, which made him an exciting NFL prospect. For me, watching how he adapts to the next level will be interesting, but by all accounts, he’s someone who embraces the underdog role.
In the secondary, the group is headlined by Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward, who has quietly been one of the better coverage players in the league for about half a decade. His usual running mate, Greg Newsome II, unfortunately looks to be dealing with a long-term injury, which is a huge problem going into the season. Outside of those two, the other big returning name is Grant Delpit, who continues to be a solid contributor at the pro level.
I struggle to see this unit being downright terrible because of a player like Myles Garrett, but at the same time, it’s tough to be fully optimistic about either side of the ball heading into 2025.
Best Future Bet: Browns Under 5.5 Regular Season Wins @ $1.70
I think the Browns are between a rock and a hard place this season. They have six tough division games where they likely won’t be favored, and their roster build is extremely underwhelming, especially on offense. Barring any dramatic and unforeseen changes, I have a feeling the Browns could find themselves near the top of the 2026 draft.
Status: Rebuilding
Baltimore Ravens
last Season Summary
Another division victory for the Ravens, who always seem to finish first or second in this historic division. Behind former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens had one of the scariest offenses in the league. Their dangerous, pick-your-poison running game helped propel the unit to number one in the league in EPA per play.
However, that firepower still wasn’t enough when it mattered most. They ran into the Bills in the divisional round and were sent home once again, cutting short another promising season for the Harbaugh and Jackson combination.
Key Additions
WR DeAndre Hopkins
CB Jaire Alexander
CB Chidobe Awuzie
S Malaki Starks (R)
Edge Mike Green (R)
OT Emery Jones Jr. (R)
OC Kevin Patullo (Coach)
Key Losses
OG Patrick Mekari
DL Michael Pierce
S Marcus Williams
Core Players
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Zay Flowers
RB Derrick Henry
TE Mark Andrews
OC Tyler Linderbaum
DL Nnamdi Madubuike
Edge Odafe Oweh
LB Roquan Smith
CB Nate Wiggins
S Kyle Hamilton
Season Preview
Offense: The Ravens come into the 2025 season without much change on the offensive side of the ball, with the majority of their key contributors returning once again for a unit that should be as dominant as any in the league. Obviously, they have Lamar Jackson back under center, and depending on who you ask, he’s somewhere between the best or at worst the fourth-best quarterback in the league. His passing game has come leaps and bounds, and he’s without question one of the best athletes we’ve ever seen at the position.
His star partner is Derrick Henry, who many thought might start to slow down, but he actually did the opposite. He put up over 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground last year. Even behind a middle-of-the-road offensive line, Henry still looks like the freak athlete that has allowed him to dominate the NFL, and in my mind, there are no signs of him slowing down.
Looking at the receiving corps, they return former first-round pick Zay Flowers, who is coming off a 1,000-yard season, and Rashod Bateman, who had a very solid WR2 campaign. Their biggest addition is former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, who may no longer be the player he was in Houston but will still no doubt provide quality production as a WR3. Joining those wideouts are their dynamic 1-2 tight end combo of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, who help unlock the offense with their effectiveness in both the passing game and run blocking.
As mentioned, the offensive line could be slightly concerning. They still have two strong starters in Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum, but outside of them, there are a few players who struggled in pass protection last season. They will need to step up to cover for the loss of Patrick Mekari.
Defense: For me, the most exciting part about the Ravens this season is the ceiling of their defensive unit, which across the board has some unbelievable talent. Like most strong defenses, it starts up front for the Ravens, who hope to carry over their success from last season when they were the second most efficient run-stuffing front in the NFL. They return the key to that unit, Nnamdi Madubuike, who enters the second year of his $98 million extension, and he’ll have a familiar face next to him in Travis Jones, who will help anchor the run defense.
Coming off the edge, they have a three-man rotation that is very exciting. Veterans Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh are proven producers at the NFL level. Backing them up is rookie pass rusher Mike Green, who fell to them in the draft despite being seen by many as a top-15 talent thanks to his athletic traits and technical ability that translated into strong college production. On paper, this group looks ready to dominate the trenches once again.
The glue of the unit is Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson, who form a versatile and athletic linebacker duo in the middle of the field. Smith has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL for years, while Simpson brings an explosive presence with the kind of raw athleticism that makes him a live wire.
What makes the Ravens truly different this year is their secondary. For the first 10 or so games last season, that group was a liability. But after some schematic adjustments, they became one of the better units in the league down the stretch. This season, they’ve added Jaire Alexander and Malaki Starks, both of whom somehow fell to them and now give Baltimore one of the best secondaries in the NFL on paper.
Lining up next to Starks is one of the league’s most unique defenders, Kyle Hamilton, who is a true unicorn with elite athleticism and football IQ. On the outside, Alexander will be joined by former first-round pick Nate Wiggins out of Clemson, who has been very solid as a pro so far. With those two handling the boundary, it allows former star corner Marlon Humphrey to slide into the slot as he begins to lose a step.
If this defense can come together the way it looks like it could on paper, this might finally be the year the Ravens take the next step.
Best Future Bet: Derrick Henry Over 1375.5 Rushing Yards @ $1.91
As mentioned, this offense is going to go as far as the run game takes them. For me, that means Derrick Henry will once again see plenty of volume, and as long as he stays healthy, he should have a good chance to go over his rushing yardage prop.
Status: Favorites
Pittsburgh Steelers
last Season Summary
The definition of consistency is Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never had a losing season under his tutelage. The 2024 season was no different, as the Steelers started off red hot, sitting at 10-3 after both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson saw time at quarterback. It looked like this might finally be the season where they took the next step, but everything fell apart for Tomlin and his team. They went on to lose their next five games, finishing 10-7, with the final loss coming in the wildcard round against division rival Baltimore. In that game, the Steelers stood no chance, as Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry combined for 300 rushing yards against what was supposed to be a stout defense.
Key Additions
QB Aaron Rodgers
WR DK Metcalf
TE Jonnu Smith
CB Darius Slay
CB Jalen Ramsey
S Chuck Clark
DL Derrick Harmon(R)
RB Kaleb Johnson (R)
Key Losses
QB Justin Fields
QB Russell Wilson
WR George Pickens
RB Najee Harris
OT Dan Moore Jr.
CB Donte Jackson
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Core Players
QB Aaron Rodgers
WR DK Metcalf
RB Kaleb Johnson (R)
TE Pat Freiermuth
OC Zach Frazier
OT Troy Fautanu
DL Cameron Heyward
Edge T.J. Watt
Edge Alex Highsmith
CB Jalen Ramsey
CB Joey Porter Jr.
Season Preview
Offense: Another year and another starting quarterback for the Steelers, who let both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson walk in free agency. This year, they have handed the offense to coordinator Arthur Smith and four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Now another year removed from his Achilles tear, Rodgers still has the ability to spin the rock when given time in the pocket. For a Steelers team that appears to be in win-now mode, getting even 80 percent of the Rodgers we once saw, or even the version that played the final six games with the Jets, would likely be the best quarterback play the franchise has had since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
As we know, Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith both value a strong ground game. In 2025, the Steelers have two capable backs who will try to fill the void left by four-time 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris, who also departed in free agency. Jaylen Warren is expected to be viewed as RB1 because of his familiarity with the team, but rookie Kaleb Johnson seems perfectly suited for Arthur Smith’s scheme. He has the physical build and running style of a classic NFL workhorse and could end up handling a majority of the carries.
On the outside, the Steelers traded away the talented but inconsistent George Pickens and brought in former All-Pro DK Metcalf. Entering his prime, Metcalf will now serve as Rodgers’ top target heading into the season. Supporting him are tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, two players regarded as upper-tier receiving threats at the position who offer complementary skill sets.
How far this offense can go will depend heavily on its rebuilt offensive line, which now features second-year players Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu. A major focus for the team is whether former first-round pick Broderick Jones can finally meet expectations and solidify the left tackle spot, protecting Rodgers’ blindside. If the line can come together and spark the run game, this offense should look significantly improved from what we saw in 2024.
Defense: The Steelers once again come into the 2025 season with the highest-paid defense in the league, and when you look at the names on paper, it’s easy to see why. According to PFF, the Steelers have the best defensive line in the league heading into the new season. The interior is led by team captain Cameron Heyward, who has been a top-five interior lineman in the NFL for over a decade. Accompanying him are two very promising young talents in Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon. Benton enters a decisive third year as a pro, while Harmon, their first-round pick, drew comparisons to Heyward coming out of Oregon.
The edge is where things get really exciting. Perennial All-Pro and former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt returns fully healthy and ready to reclaim his title as the league’s most dominant pass rusher. His longtime running mate, Alex Highsmith, will once again create nightmare matchups for opposing left tackles, forming one of the most dangerous edge duos in football.
At the heart of the defense, the Steelers feature former All-Pro linebacker Patrick Queen, now entering his second year in black and gold. Alongside him is Payton Wilson, who was regarded as the best off-ball rookie linebacker in 2024 and will look to take a major leap in his sophomore season.
The biggest difference for this defense in 2025 is in the cornerback room. Future CB1 Joey Porter Jr. returns and now has two elite veterans alongside him. The Steelers added Hall of Famer Darius Slay in free agency and pulled off a blockbuster trade for superstar defensive back Jalen Ramsey from the Dolphins, giving Pittsburgh arguably the best cornerback trio in the NFL. However, the safety position did take a hit with Minkah Fitzpatrick returning to Miami, which puts pressure on newly extended DeShon Elliott to continue his strong play.
Now there is no question the Steelers have the talent to go a long way. The question is, do they have the minds to maximize that talent as the road gets narrows at the end of the season?
Best Future Bet: Steelers Over 8.5 Regular Season Wins @ $2.00
This one is simple for me: the Steelers go over .500 once again this season. As I mentioned, they’ve never failed to do so under Mike Tomlin, and I don’t think this will be the year that changes. This roster is arguably the most talented they’ve had in a long time, and I don’t see them falling short. So for me, the 8.5 win total looks like a solid bet if you’re looking to back the black and gold this year.
Status: Playoff hopeful
Cincinnati Bengals
last Season Summary
The Bengals had a disappointing 2024 season, missing the playoffs due to a mix of self-inflicted wounds and, at times, just plain bad luck. As expected, there were no issues with their passing attack, which is led by possibly the best pure passer in the NFL and a triple crown-caliber wide receiver in Ja’Marr Chase. Chase has continued to do everything he can to challenge Justin Jefferson for the title of best wide receiver in the league.
Defensively is where things completely fell apart. The unit the Bengals put together couldn’t stop a nosebleed, turning most of their games into shootouts and placing all the pressure on Burrow and the offense to carry them to victory.
Key Additions
RB Samaje Perine
Edge Shemar Stewart (R)
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. (R)
OC Dylan Fairchild (R)
Key Losses
RB Khalil Herbert
OT Trent Brown
OG Alex Cappa
Edge Sam Hubbard
DL Sheldon Rankins
LB Germaine Pratt
Core Players
QB Joe Burrow
WR Ja’Marr Chase
WR Tee Higgins
OT Amarius Mims
DL B.J. Hill
Edge Trey Hendrickson
Edge Shemar Stewart
Season Preview
Offense: Nothing really changes for the 2025 Bengals, who remain incredibly top heavy, but for good reason. As I mentioned, they have arguably the best pure passer in the league in Joe Burrow. He returns for another year in the prime of his NFL career and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. His favorite wideout since their National Championship days at LSU, Ja’Marr Chase, will also be suiting up for Cincinnati again, coming off a triple crown season. If Burrow and Chase weren’t already enough firepower in the passing game, Tee Higgins is back as well. He is one of the best number two wide receivers in the league and would be a top option on many other teams. With Higgins returning on a new deal, the Bengals’ trio remains one of the scariest in the league.
Outside of those three, the overall talent on offense does take a step down, but they still have several quality NFL playmakers. Wide receiver Andrei Iosivas is a strong complement to the top two, and running back Chase Brown looks like a capable starting-caliber back heading into the new season. Another name worth mentioning is tight end Mike Gesicki. After a rocky start to his NFL career, he now seems to have found a home in Cincinnati.
The biggest concern on offense is whether the line can give Burrow and his weapons the time and space they need to operate. Last year, protection was a major issue, and it’s unclear if enough has been done to fix it. Most of the low-graded starters from 2024 are returning, with Dylan Fairchild standing out as the only real change. The team is hoping that 2024 first-round pick Amarius Mims can develop into the dominant tackle his physical tools suggest he could be. If that happens, it would go a long way, but beyond him, there is still a noticeable lack of upside across the offensive line.
Defense: If the Bengals have any chance at all of being league average or even slightly below that on defense, they need to sort out the Trey Hendrickson contract situation as soon as possible. He has been holding out of training camp due to a lack of movement on that front. Hendrickson has been one of the best pure sack artists in the NFL over the past few seasons and was the only reason the Bengals managed to create any consistent negative plays last year.
To help fill the shoes of longtime edge rusher Sam Hubbard, who retired this offseason, the Bengals drafted athletic specimen Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M. While Stewart lacked consistent college production, he possesses every physical tool needed to become a dangerous partner opposite Hendrickson. On the interior, veteran B.J. Hill returns as the team’s primary run-stuffing presence and will once again be asked to do most of the heavy lifting in the middle.
Supporting the defensive front is one of the more well-rounded linebackers in the league, Logan Wilson, who now enters life without longtime running mate Germaine Pratt. Filling Pratt’s role will be rookie Demetrius Knight Jr., a highly physical off-ball linebacker from South Carolina who made a name for himself with his athleticism and effort. The Bengals are hoping he can bring some of that same spark to the NFL level.
Rounding out the defense is a relatively underwhelming secondary. While the group showed some promise in 2023, several key contributors regressed last season. Geno Stone and Cam Taylor-Britt were inconsistent, and while players like DJ Turner II and Jordan Battle are solid, they haven’t emerged as impact players just yet. The biggest wild card in this group is Dax Hill. After suffering a season-ending injury last year that stunted his development, the Bengals are hoping he can bounce back and take a big step forward in 2025.
All in all, the changes on defense feel underwhelming. The Hendrickson holdout looms large, and the best hope for improvement might come from a change in leadership. The Bengals opted to part ways with longtime defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and hired Notre Dame DC Al Golden, who will be tasked with finding a new spark for a unit that badly needs something to ignite.
Best Future Bet: Burrow To Have The Most Regular Season Passing Yards @ $6.00
Okay, this is a bit more of a swing for the fences based on the value of the bet, but there are tangible reasons why Joe Burrow is the favorite to lead the league in passing yards. He has the best 1-2 punch at wide receiver, and he’s playing behind an offensive line that could make it difficult to consistently move the ball on the ground. That’s not even mentioning the fact that the Bengals will likely be in plenty of shootouts with the defense they’re once again putting on the field. With all that context, and considering just how good Burrow is, I don’t mind the value here one bit.