Season outlook: The battle for the AFC North

Cleveland Browns, 1st AFC North

Record: 11-5

Team MVP: Baker Mayfield

Baker broke the rookie TD record, took an 0-16 team to 7-8-1 in his rookie season, and decided to tick everyone off along the way. Dorsey added a significant weapon in Odell Beckham Jr. and with Kitchens and Monken in charge this team will throw a ton. Baker is a dark horse NFL MVP candidate, so he is the only choice for team MVP.

Breakout Player: Rashard Higgins

Higgens was drafted in the Sashi era, got cut, then fought his way back on the roster. He quickly developed some chemistry with a rookie named Baker Mayfield in 2018. Higgins then had a 39 catch 572-yard season after catching 33 passes the last two years combined. He has been the clear number three receiver in camp, making him poised for a big year.

Season Outlook: The Browns made significant strides last season once Baker and new head coach Freddie Kitchens took the helm of the offense. Over the last eight weeks, the Browns went 5-3 behind a top-five offense directed by Kitchens. Despite being a rookie head coach, Freddie Kitchens has this team poised to take over the AFC North. With the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Kareem Hunt, this offense has a chance to be the best in the NFL. Dorsey also improved the defense by trading for Olivier Vernon and signing Sheldon Richardson. The Browns now have the talent and moxie to win the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers, 2nd AFC North

Record: 10-6

Team MVP: JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu Smith-Schuster is another mid-round steal by the Steelers. In just two seasons, he has averaged 84 catches, 1171 yards, and seven touchdowns despite Antonio Brown as the main target. With Brown now in Oakland I expect Smith-Schuster to be the focal point and set career highs across the board.

Breakout Player: James Washington

Antonio Brown is now an Oakland Raider. His targets will need to go somewhere, queue James Washington. Drafted in the second round in 2018, Washington was expected to have a big rookie year as the third option for Big Ben. He disappointed with 16 catches for 217 yards. With options limited at wideout, Washington will have first shot at all those targets. Based on volume alone he could have the breakout year some expected as a rookie.

Season Outlook: The Steelers watched Le’Veon Bell leave in free agency, traded Antonio Brown to Oakland, and finally lost superb offensive line coach Mike Munchak to Denver. Despite all of the losses, they are still a favorite in the AFC. They are perpetual winners because of a front office that mines talent with the best of them. The Steelers and Browns rivalry might be one this year, finally.

Baltimore Ravens, 3rd AFC North

Record: 10-6

Team MVP: Earl Thomas

Thomas has been one of the best safeties in the NFL over his career. Baltimore knows how to use talented safeties. Add it up, and Thomas should have a big year, even at 30 years old. That makes him the Ravens MVP.

Breakout Player: Marlon Humphrey

In his first two NFL seasons, Humphrey has proven to be one of the premier young corners in the NFL despite starting only 13 games. Barring injury, Humphrey should start the entire season and be one of the top five corners in the NFL.

Season Outlook: With a defense that always performs the onus will be put on the offense to keep up. That falls on the young shoulders, and legs, of 22-year-old Lamar Jackson. Jackson took the NFL by storm starting the Ravens last seven games, going 6-1 while leading a rushing offense that demolished teams at over 200 yards per game. The question for 2019 is can Lamar be as significant a threat with his arm as he has shown with his legs? That is the key to determining how good the Ravens can be.

Cincinnati Bengals,

Record: 3-13

Team MVP: Joe Mixon

Mixon had his coming-out party last season, or he would be the easy choice for breakout player on a thin Bengals roster. That makes him the natural choice for team MVP this year. Mixon will be asked to carry more of the receiving load with AJ Green injured for up to eight weeks. These added opportunities could help produce a career year for Mixon.

Breakout Player: Sam Hubbard

Rookie Sam Hubbard had a solid season as a rotational piece on the defensive line with six sacks and 39 total tackles. He heads into 2019 with the potential to start or at least receive more snaps. Combine that with the flashes seen in 2018, and you have the potential for a breakout 2019 season.

Season Outlook: The Bengals were a bad team last year and could be even worse this season. With AJ Green out up to eight weeks and an offensive line still in shambles, it could be a long year Bengals fan. The Bengals will vie for the chance to replace Andy Dalton with whoever is determined the best quarterback in the 2020 draft. With a new young head coach, albeit McVay touched, along with a thin roster the Bengals are likely in for another tough year.

Previously: AFC East

Next Up: AFC South, AFC West, NFC East, NFC North, NFC South

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