Cincinnati Bengals: 4 surprises in the AFC North
By Steve Rivera
Two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL are playing in the AFC North, Mayfield in Cleveland, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Both are dynamic playmakers, and both will be the face of the division for years to come.
All that said, no way the Ravens duplicate what was something of a charmed season in 2018. 10-6 is not a record they will be close to this season, and it has very little to do with Jackson taking a step back because he won’t.
Baltimore has a tough road slate that may prove hard to overcome. The Ravens open on the road against the Miami Dolphins, then go play perhaps the best team in the AFC in the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. They also will travel to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks and will close out the month of November on a Monday night in LA against the Rams.
That’s not including a home game against the Patriots and the other three teams in the division at home and on the road.
More than Cleveland, the Ravens overachieved last season. Jackson is all upside, but they seemed a soft division winner, especially with a Steelers team mired in dysfunction. Baltimore will not be a good team in 2018, proving neither dependable or consistent.
Ravens come back to earth and finish 6-10.