Josh Frey’s 2025 NFL Standings Predictions: AFC North
The NFL season is fast approaching now that teams have trimmed their rosters down to 53 players.
With that in mind, let’s take a look across the league and break down every division. Today, we continue that process with predictions for the AFC North.
AFC East predictions
NFC East predictions
NFL Standings Predictions: AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens (14-3)
The Ravens were already a scary team in 2024, but with additions of Jaire Alexander and Malaki Starks to the secondary, this defense should be even better in 2025 after finishing top 10 in both total yards and points allowed last year. Their one weakness was giving up yards through the air (finishing 31st in pass yards allowed in 2024), but that should change this season.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (11-6)
The Cincinnati Bengals have now missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons, and it’s largely been because of their defense. Cincinnati finished the 2024 campaign ranked 21st in points allowed and 31st in total yards allowed.
The Bengals added Shemar Stewart in the draft to pair with Trey Hendrickson on the defensive front, and the duo should spend this season terrorizing opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. Demetrius Knight should also bring some stability to the team’s linebacker room. As long as Joe Burrow stays healthy, this team should compete for a playoff spot.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-11)
Could this be too harsh for a Steelers team that has won at least eight games every year since 2004? Maybe. But a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers throwing to a wide receiver room that has DK Metcalf and then Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson at the top of the depth chart doesn’t bode well for the offense.
The defense could certainly be good enough to get the Steelers to their usual 9-10 wins, but we’ll see how much Rodgers can actually elevate the Steelers at this point in his career. The schedule is no cakewalk either as they have to play the AFC East and NFC North.
4. Cleveland Browns (2-15)
The Cleveland Browns have a tall task in front of them if they hope to compete in 2025. Joe Flacco is a fine quarterback for a couple games, but as we’ve seen in the past, the 40-year-old QB can struggle when he’s relied upon to carry an offense for long stretches.
However, for the Browns, it is either Flacco, or their pick of a rookie QB in Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders while Deshaun Watson recovers from his Achilles tear. It also doesn’t help matters that these are Cleveland’s first five games to start the season:
- Vs. Cincinnati
- At Baltimore
- Vs. Green Bay
- @ Detroit
- Vs. Minnesota
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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