During the previous season, the AFC North achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first division in the modern era to see all four teams conclude the season with winning records.
Achievements of this caliber leave no room for argument; it indisputably establishes the division as the top-performing one in the NFL. Despite a significant setback due to a severe injury to Cincinnati Bengals’ standout Joe Burrow, backup quarterback Jake Browning admirably guided the team to a 9-8 record.
AFC North Improves Further Following 36 Hours of Free Agency
To entertain a hypothetical scenario, let’s momentarily disregard the fact that this division excelled as the best last season. Some standout players from the division, like Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Geno Stone, departed their teams this week to join rival teams within the division. Queen recently revealed his move to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Stone has chosen to relocate to Cincinnati, further down the Ohio River.
Moreover, the exceptional caliber of talent that these teams have acquired during the free agency period is remarkable. Notably, last season, Pittsburgh was the sole team in the division lacking an elite quarterback. To address this gap, Pittsburgh made a significant move earlier this week by securing Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson, previously with the Denver Broncos.
In addition to securing a standout quarterback, the top AFC team from the previous season has now also acquired perhaps the most skilled running back of the past two decades. Surprisingly, the Baltimore Ravens, despite having Lamar Jackson, the Most Valuable Player award winner, felt that their running game was lacking last season. To address this, they signed the formidable Derrick Henry, a former Tennessee Titans running back, to complement him.
Even though he may be past his prime, the idea of defending against the speed option with either Henry carrying the ball or Jackson keeping it himself is daunting, especially for a Bengals fan like me. Jackson delivered outstanding performances last season, even in the absence of a top-notch skill player on the field, apart from the emerging wide receiver Zay Flowers. While this approach may not align with the typical modern NFL offensive strategy, Baltimore and their potent running game are bound to give defensive coordinators actual nightmares in the upcoming season.
Admitting it is difficult, but Cincinnati seems to be the least competitive team in the division based on the expected performance in 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers were previously hindered mainly by the inconsistent performances at the quarterback position from Kenny Pickett in recent seasons. Despite Russell Wilson showing signs of slowing down since his time in Seattle, he typically thrives when supported by a strong running game. The 2021 first-round draft pick Najee Harris could have a remarkable comeback season in 2024 as the offense gets revitalized around Wilson.
To refrain from exaggerating the excellence of this conference, let’s focus solely on the factual comparisons of these teams. In the previous season, three teams in this conference possessed top 5 defenses, and these defensive units have seen minimal changes as we progress through the initial stages of free agency. Each of the four teams now boasts exceptional quarterback talent, adding a formidable challenge for opposing defenses. Looking ahead six months before the regular season, I confidently predict that the AFC North will uphold its reputation as the premier division in the NFL in 2024.
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