NFL Divisional Previews: AFC North


 

We're rapidly approaching the 2023 NFL Season, which means it's time for some previews. I'm going to be looking at each division, one-by-one, starting with the reigning champions in the AFC North. Let's dive in.

Cincinnati Bengals:
2022 Record: 12-4, Lost in AFC Championship Game
2023 Outlook: The Bengals remain one of the best teams in the NFL. They have an incredible offense, led by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals were in the Super Bowl in 2021 and made the AFC Championship Game last season. I think they're a top contender and maybe the best AFC team heading into the season.
2023 Prediction: The Bengals will win the AFC North again and make a deep run.

Baltimore Ravens:
2022 Record: 10-7
2023 Outlook: The biggest question for the Ravens going into the off-season was the future of Lamar Jackson. The Ravens tagged their quarterback and eventually came to an agreement on a multi-year deal. They also worked to get him some new weapons, signing Odell Beckham, Jr. and drafting Zay Jones. If Rashod Bateman bounces back this could be a decent receiving group along with Mark Andrews at tight end. They need J.K. Dobbins to show up big in the backfield, but the Ravens have all the pieces to compete.
2023 Prediction: The Ravens will compete for a playoff spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers:
2022 Record: 9-8
2023 Outlook: The team moved to a new phase with rookie Kenny Pickett last season. He did well enough that Mike Tomlin continued his streak without a losing season. The Steelers are young but still have a solid core on offense and defense. And Tomlin is one of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL for a reason. The AFC North is a tough division and the Steelers are one of the big reasons why.
2023 Prediction: The Steelers will be right around .500 or better again.

Cleveland Browns:
2022 Record: 7-10
2023 Outlook: Last season was always going to be tough. The Browns acquired Deshaun Watson, but he sat for 12 weeks. It took time for him to regain his form coming back. Now, with a full off-season heading into the season, Watson figures to take a step. The Browns also added Elijah Moore and drafted Cedric Tillman. The Browns have the pieces to be good but they need to work hard in a tough and crowded division.
2023 Prediction: I think the Browns will take a step forward and complete for a playoff slot.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more