AFC North: Equal Playing Field

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Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

As for the Bengals, we have our own issues. Tyler Boyd is going to play a crucial role this season along with Mario Alford. Cincinnati is going to have to somehow make up for the lost of Mohammed Sanu and Marvin Jones. A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert will come to play, but the new additions, including Brandon Lafell, are going to have to step up.

The only other concern on Cincinnati is the running game. Giovani Bernard is a fan favorite, but enters a contract year. The Bengals elected to not to take a running back in the draft, but that could either be because of the weak class and the fact that next year is much stronger or because they believe they’ll get a deal done with Bernard soon.

Also it is important to note, Rex Burkhead is entering a contract year and Jeremy Hill is coming off a bad year in terms of yardage and yards per carry. Hill is expect to recover in year three but we won’t know until he gets the ball in his hands.

Cincinnati’s strength will once again be it’s defense and most likely the pass rush and secondary. Thanks to the signing of Karlos Dansby, we will survive not having Vontaze Burfict on the field for three games.

Next: Cleveland Browns