AFC North

Sometimes known as the Black and Blue Division, for the last decade or so it has just been the Blue division with little or nothing to show for its efforts. It was the only division to send 3 teams to the playoffs in 2023 and every team in the division finished with a winning record – something that had not been done since 1935.   The Browns and Stealers got smoked in the Wildcard round, but the Ravens made a game effort in the AFC title game but still fell a touchdown short of the SB against the mighty Chiefs.   

Baltimore – Everything should be in place here.   The best quarterback in the league not named Mahomes who has yet to prove himself in the playoffs.  Derrick Henry still seems to have gas in the tank.  Wideouts are likely second rate but with LJ as a threat on every play, just an average set might do.  Ravens defenses always seem to be good enough.  And they may just have the best kicker in the history of the NFL in Justin Tucker.  Opening night will tell us a lot with a prime time matchup against their nemesis – aka the Kansas City Chiefs.  Overall it’s a tough schedule and the league has not done the Ravens any  favors with a closing stretch that could be brutal.  The Ravens play the Giants at home in Week 16, followed by a Saturday game against the Stealers and then travel to Houston to face the Texans on Christmas Day.   That’s three late season games in 11 days.  Red calls BS on the league scheduler.  Ravens go 12-5 to win the division

Cincinnati –  A lot of tough breaks last season for the Bengals.  They get a break with a 4^th place schedule in 2024.  Week 2 in Kansas City will tell us a lot about the Bengals.  And once again the schedulers see to want to wreak havoc on another AFC North team.  The Bengals also get 3 games in an 11 day stretch with a trip to Arlington to face the Cowboys on Monday night in Week 14, followed by a short trip to Nashville for the Titans in Week 15 and back at home on Thursday night against the Browns in Week 16.  That’s the culmination of a tough stretch that begins in Week 10.  Joe Burrow needs to return to form and stay on the field chucking bombs to his excellent Nos 1 and 2 wideouts Chase and Higgins.  The Bengals gave up 24 or more points in 7 of their 8 losses mostly feasting on the weak sisters (wins against the Niners and Bills stood out before a 3 game losing streak killed their momentum).  Bengals probably sneak in an a weaker AFC at 10-7. 

Pittsburgh – Perhaps the most loyal fan base in the AFC gives the Stealers a boost.  The cynical might say, “What else is there to do in Pittsburgh?”  The answer is  . . . Red is not stupid enough to answer that question.  And something is definitely going on in the league office when it comes to scheduling AFC North games.  Between Weeks 11 and 18, the Stealer play all of their division games against – which as previously noted means 4 games against  playoff teams from 2023.  Throw in a game on the road in Philly and the Chiefs at home on Christmas Day and the Stealers are playing 6 of 8  games against what should be quality opponents.  Good luck with that.  Stealers are just on the outside looking in at 9-8. 

Cleveland – Which leaves us with the Browns who Red has on good information are JD Vance’s favorite team.  Let me couch this in as nice a way as Red can – the Browns will stink this year.  The lounger the season goes, the worse the Browns will be.  They won’t be in the chaise.  It may be the worst Browns season sofa – and that’s saying a lot.  Take a divan into their schedule and you will not seat a lot of wins –  especially in their sectional rivalries.  An ottoman might disagree, but Red is his own man.  Although he might love to seat more, Red will settee number of wins  for the Browns at around 6.