Each AFC North contest feels like a playoff game.
Last season, the Ravens won the AFC North with a 12-5 record but lost in the Divisional round against the Buffalo Bills.
The Steelers finished second in the division with a record of 10-7 and made the playoffs last year. They lost in the wild-card round against the Ravens.
Cincinnati had a 9-8 record last year and just missed the postseason. Joe Burrow had an MVP-caliber season, but the Bengals’ defense was atrocious.
Cleveland had a dreadful year last season. They had a record of 3-14.
Below, we will break down each team in the AFC North and predict which team will win the division.
AFC North Breakdown
Every AFC North contest feels like a playoff game.
Scroll down for a breakdown of each AFC North team heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Baltimore Ravens
Last season, the Ravens won the AFC North with a 12-5 record but lost in the Divisional round against the Buffalo Bills.
The Ravens always have a tough defense, and this year will be no different.
Lamar Jackson is a star QB, and when he is healthy, the Ravens are a top team in the league.
The Ravens ranked third in points per game and eighth in points allowed per game last season.
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry carry the offense.
As long as Jackson is healthy, the Ravens are one of the best teams in the AFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Currently, the Steelers’ starting QB is Mason Rudolph. They have been waiting all offseason for Aaron Rodgers to decide if he wants to play football and Pittsburgh. They still have not received a definitive answer and, for some reason, are still patiently waiting.
Whether Rodgers s or not, the Steelers are not a true Super Bowl contender.
The only thing that will improve is their chances of making the playoffs with Rodgers under center.
The defense is aging, and their offense is lackluster. They acquired WR DK Metcalf and signed him to a large deal, but traded away WR George Pickens. This leaves them in a similar spot as last year with their WR group.
Pittsburgh hopes the offensive line improves. They spent a lot of draft capital to improve the offensive line, but it has not paid off yet.
The Steelers do not scare any team and are not a threat to win the AFC North. If Rodgers ever decides to make a decision, their chances of winning the division go up a little bit, but not a tremendous amount. Pittsburgh will host the 2026 NFL Draft, and they will surely look to select their franchise QB in 2026.
Cincinnati Bengals
The only reason the Bengals finished 9-8, third in the AFC North, and missed the playoffs last year was because their defense was abysmal.
Cincinnati ranked 25th in points allowed per game but seventh in points per game last season.
Joe Burrow had an MVP-caliber season. Burrow led the league in ing yards and ing TDs. He threw 43 ing TDs and just nine interceptions.
Ja”Marr Chase had a triple crown last season. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs.
If the Bengals had an average defense last season, they could have won the division. They lost four games in which their offense scored 30+ points.
- Week 3: Washington Commanders 38 Cincinnati Bengals 33
- Week 5: Baltimore Ravens 41 Cincinnati Bengals 38
- Week 7: Baltimore Ravens 35 Cincinnati Bengals 34
- Week 12: Pittsburgh Steelers 44 Cincinnati Bengals 38
If the defense improves slightly, the Bengals will challenge the Ravens for the AFC North crown.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland had a dreadful year last season. They had a record of 3-14 and finished last in the AFC North.
The Browns’ QB room is worse than the Steelers. They have Deshaun Watson (may not play this year), Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
Cleveland will need to decide which QB will be under center in week 1.
They had a chance of selecting a generational talent in Travis Hunter or DT Abdul Carter to pair with Myles Garrett, but they traded back in the draft and selected DT Mason Graham.
Cleveland is not a threat to win the AFC North in 2025, as they have their eyes on the 2026 NFL Draft to find their franchise QB.
Which Team Will Win The AFC North?
Despite the Browns and Steelers not being as talented as the Bengals and Ravens, there is no easy victory when AFC North teams play each other. Every divisional game is hard-fought and feels like a playoff game.
The Bengals and Ravens have a significant edge in the division because of their elite QBs.
Baltimore won the division last year as Lamar Jackson stayed healthy.
This season, the Bengals will play better on defense. Joe Burrow had a terrific 2024 season and will do so again in 2025.
Cincinnati lost four games last year when its offense scored 30+ points. This will not occur again.
The Bengals will take the AFC North crown from the Ravens in 2025 because Burrow will once again play at an elite level.
