There’s a Dark Horse Contender in the AFC North
As training camp continues to get closer, many folks have begun previewing the 2023 season and what we should expect to see from each NFL team in 2023. Over the course of the next couple weeks, we will be breaking down all 32 NFL teams, going over some of the biggest moves of the offseason, best-case and worst-case scenarios for 2023, and addressing some of the questions facing each team. Today, we’re heading moving to the AFC and discussing a potential dark horse contender out of the AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens
- 2022 Record: 10-7 (2nd in AFC North, No. 6 seed in AFC)
- Best Addition: WR Zay Flowers
- Biggest Loss: G Ben Powers
- Underrated Move: Signing CB Rock Ya-Sin
- 2023 Floor: 9-8
- 2023 Ceiling: 14-3
- Biggest Question: How Healthy Are the WRs?
A healthy, recently paid Lamar Jackson could make all the difference in Baltimore. He also gets the benefit of what should be the most talented receiving group he’s had in his young career. First-round pick Zay Flowers should step in and immediately be a playmaker for them while Odell Beckham Jr. can be a great contributor if he remains healthy. On top of that, Baltimore is anticipating a healthy Rashod Bateman this year, and if he can play on a consistent basis, the Ravens have a legitimately dangerous trio at the position.
Defensively, Calais Campbell is no longer around, but Trenton Simpson is going to be a very productive addition to an already stout defense in Baltimore. Pairing him with Roquan Smith while having Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams at safety is going to make for a very fun group of defenders in the middle of the Ravens defensive unit.
Cincinnati Bengals
- 2022 Record: 12-4 (1st in AFC North, No. 3 seed in AFC)
- Best Addition: EDGE Myles Murphy
- Biggest Loss: RB Samaje Perine
- Underrated Move: Drafting CB D.J. Turner
- 2023 Floor: 9-8
- 2023 Ceiling: 11-6
- Biggest Question: What Happens with Joe Mixon?
The Bengals narrowly fell in the AFC Championship Game last season to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, and they found themselves in a difficult spot needing to replace both Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in their secondary.
There is also the matter of Joe Mixon’s upcoming trial, and without Samaje Perine around to take on some of the workload in the backfield, it could be a struggle to get consistent production on the ground. This equates to a ton of pressure being placed on the shoulders of QB Joe Burrow, but he has been up to the task before.
Cleveland Browns
- 2022 Record: 7-10 (4th in AFC North)
- Best Addition: EDGE Za’Darius Smith
- Biggest Loss: C Hjalte Froholdt
- Underrated Move: Signing EDGE Ogbo Okoronkwo
- 2023 Floor: 8-9
- 2023 Ceiling: 13-4
- Biggest Question: Does Deshaun Watson Bounce Back?
Perhaps we never see the MVP version of Deshaun Watson again, but the Browns simply may not need that type of production at the QB position in order to compete in the AFC this year. They made massive strides this offseason to put help around Myles Garrett on the defensive front with the acquisition of Ogbo Okoronkwo, Za’Darius Smith, and Dalvin Tomlinson. That trio combined for 146 pressures last season.
In addition, they still have the reigning rushing champion in their backfield with Nick Chubb, one of the most talented running backs in the entire league. Their homegrown secondary should continue to lock down opposing passing offenses as well (ranked fifth in both passing yards and passing TDs in 2022). Health is going to be the big question for them this year, and they’ll have to beat the other teams in their division, but this should be a team on the rise in 2023.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2022 Record: 9-8 (3rd in AFC North)
- Best Addition: CB Joey Porter
- Biggest Loss: CB Cameron Sutton
- Underrated Move: Drafting LB Nick Herbig
- 2023 Floor: 9-8
- 2023 Ceiling: 11-7
- Biggest Question: Is a Big Year Two in Store for Kenny Pickett?
Mike Tomlin seems incapable of fielding a losing team, and that should continue in 2023. Even if they aren’t the most high-flying offense in the league, their defense should be elite with T.J. Watt coming back at full health and the addition of Joey Porter at corner.
Despite some struggles during his rookie season as the signal-caller in Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett showed out in some big moments to keep them competitive as well. His growth will be crucial for Pittsburgh’s attempt to compete in a loaded division.
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.