Like the Cincinnati Bengals, the AFC North is a hot mess

Before the 2019 NFL season kicked off, it looked like the AFC North would be one of the toughest in the league. But with an 0-5 Cincinnati Bengals team and everyone above them also struggling, the hype just hasn’t lived up to reality.

On paper, the AFC North looked like it would be an absolute beast in 2019. The Cleveland Browns were predicted as an early favorite with Baker Mayfield. The Baltimore Ravens were going to build off of a playoff appearance and the potential stardom of Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh, finally rid of toxic locker room guys would be back in the thick of the chase, and the Cincinnati Bengals hired an offensive guru who would turn Andy Dalton and team fortunes around.

Then they played the games, and expectations met reality. From top to bottom, the AFC North has been average to awful, depending on which team you’re watching. As all four enter Week 6 only one team, the Ravens, stand to improve when they face the 0-6 Bengals.

Thus far, only Baltimore has a winning record. If they beat Cincinnati on Sunday, they could have what amounts to a commanding lead in the division. They would improve to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the North. The Browns have another tough test against the NFC West when they play the Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh is on the road to play the Los Angeles Chargers.

This isn’t what it was supposed to be in 2019. This season looked to be a year where the AFC North has potentially 3 playoff worthy teams. Instead, all are struggling, especially at the quarterback position. Jackson and especially Mayfield looks to be sliding into that dreaded sophomore slump, while Pittsburgh has lost Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers won’t know about the status of Mason Rudolph until as late as Saturday.

despite his recent struggles in Baltimore, both Jackson and Dalton are probably one and two in the division at the position. Mayfield is at best up and down and not living up to the hype. Jackson started off on fire but has come back to the pack. Best for Jackson is he has the better supporting cast around him. Meaning he has time to work through his issues before all is said and done.

As for Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals, 0-5 is a tough hole to climb out of. Cincinnati is already down both A.J. Green and John Ross. Being on the road in Baltimore is probably an 0-6 start to the season, with little relief in sight.

With three of the four teams predicted to lose in Week 6, the AFC North has become a “hot mess” few could have predicted. Unless fortunes change soon, the division as a whole could be looking at a lost season.