2023 NFL Standings Prediction: AFC North
The NFL regular season is less than a month away, so it’s time to put rubber to the road and officially make predictions for the 2023 NFL standings.
Today, we move over to the AFC North, a division that, as usual, should be one of the most competitive races in the NFL.
1. Cincinnati Bengals (12-5)
- W @ CLE
- W vs. BAL
- W vs. LAR
- W @ TEN
- W @ ARI
- L vs. SEA
- BYE
- W @ SF
- W vs. BUF
- W vs. HOU
- L @ BAL
- W vs. PIT
- L @ JAX
- W vs. IND
- W vs. MIN
- L @ PIT
- L @ KC
- W vs. CLE
The negative for the Bengals is the fact that they lost both Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell this offseason in free agency. However, they landed a promising safety prospect in Jordan Battle, and Myles Murphy was an absolute steal with the 28th overall pick.
We can’t say enough about Cincinnati’s offense, either. Assuming Ja’Marr Chase stays healthy, it will be hard to find a more dominant receiving trio in himself, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins. Orlando Brown should help keep Joe Burrow upright more often as well. Even if their defense ranks around the middle of the pack, this machine of an offense will run through many of their opponents outside of the AFC North.
2. Baltimore Ravens (11-6)
- W vs. HOU
- L @ CIN
- L vs. IND
- W @ CLE
- L @ PIT
- W @ TEN
- W vs. DET
- W @ ARI
- W vs. SEA
- L vs. CLE
- W vs. CIN
- W @ LAC
- BYE
- W vs. LAR
- L @ JAX
- L @ SF
- W vs. MIA
- W vs. PIT
Lamar Jackson is back for good after inking a massive contract this offseason, and Baltimore gave him a very intriguing receiver in Zay Flowers. Last year, the Ravens went 7-4 in games that Jackson completed, so this is undeniably a playoff contender when their QB is healthy.
On top of that, a full year of Roquan Smith at linebacker should give the Ravens a major contributor in the middle of their defense. Smith is capable of doing a little bit of everything between pass coverage and blitzing. With Jadeveon Clowney, David Ojabo, and Odafe Oweh as pass-rushers, this defensive unit looks like one that can rank among the top of the NFL.
Ultimately, their difficult road schedule could cause a few stumbles along the way, but the Ravens should compete with the Bengals for an AFC North title throughout much of the season.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
- W vs. SF
- W vs. CLE
- W @ LV
- L @ HOU
- W vs. BAL
- BYE
- W @ LAR
- L vs. JAX
- L vs. TEN
- W vs. GB
- W @ CLE
- L @ CIN
- W vs. ARI
- W vs. NE
- L @ IND
- L vs. CIN
- W @ SEA
- L @ BAL
Pittsburgh’s success depends on the steps forward that Kenny Pickett can take at QB. With Pickett under center in 2022, the Steelers were a 7-5 team and won six of their final seven games to keep Mike Tomlin’s streak of winning seasons alive.
Expect this group to be hot out of the gate with home games against San Francisco and Cleveland, two teams that could take some time to get going. Then, they have very winnable road matchups with the Raiders and Texans. However, Baltimore and Cincinnati both feel like superior teams at this point.
4. Cleveland Browns (8-9)
- L vs. CIN
- L @ PIT
- W vs. TEN
- L vs. BAL
- BYE
- W vs. SF
- L @ IND
- W @ SEA
- W vs. ARI
- W @ BAL
- L vs. PIT
- L @ DEN
- W @ LAR
- L vs. JAX
- W vs. CHI
- W @ HOU
- L vs. NYJ
- L @ CIN
Deshaun Watson was a shell of his former self in the six games he played for Cleveland last year. It is tough to say for certain that 2023 will be any different. If he is, though, this team could cruise past this prediction of eight wins.
That being said, the defense remains a fearsome group. Additions of Za’Darius Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson will help take some pressure off of Myles Garrett. The secondary of Greg Newsome and Denzel Ward should keep passing offenses in check while Mohamoud Diabate can be a positive player at the linebacker spot.
Ultimately, though, one team in this division is going to have to falter. It’s easiest to see that happening in Cleveland.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
