Biggest Remaining Question For Each AFC North Team

It was a very interesting year for a division that always seems to make some sort of noise when it comes to the playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals reached Super Bowl LVI in 2021 and the AFC title game in 22. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers have also made two playoff appearances in the past three years. Back in 2020, the Cleveland Browns won their first postseason game since 1994.

Preparations for the 2023 NFL season continue for all four clubs. What questions still remain for the Bengals, Browns, Steelers, and Browns?

Cincinnati Bengals

Can a revamped secondary come together sooner than later?

The Bengals’ defense has been an improving unit, but there are certainly plenty of changes. Safeties Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates are now with the Panthers and Falcons, respectively. They finished third and fourth, respectively, on the team in stops this past season. In April, the team drafted three defensive backs for the second straight year and added safety Nick Scott (Rams) and cornerback Sidney Jones (Raiders).

Baltimore Ravens

How long will it take for the Ravens’ new-look offense to gel?

Greg Roman is no longer the offensive coordinator for John Harbaugh’s club and Todd Monken takes over. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is back in the fold and the Ravens can only help hope that he can avoid the injuries that have shortened his season the past two years. More significantly, there’s a trio of new faces at wide receiver in Nelson Agholor, veteran Odell Beckham Jr. and 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers.

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Will the Steelers’ run defense emerge as a consistent strength?

In 2021, Mike Tomlin’s team managed to reach the playoffs but was humbled at Kansas City in the first round. That team finished dead last in the league vs. the run. In 2022, the Steelers were ninth in the NFL in this same category, but that number was somewhat deceptive as the defense was gouged on several occasions. Linebackers Elandon Roberts (Dolphins) and Cole Holcomb (Commanders) are solid pickups.

Cleveland Browns

Is QB Deshaun Watson ready to recapture his Pro Bowl form?

Prior to starting the final six games of 2022 for Kevin Stefanski’s team, quarterback Deshaun Watson’s last NFL action came in Week 17 vs. the Titans while he was still a member of the Texans. The rust was evident this past season as he hit on just 58.2 percent of his throws for 1,102 yards and only two more TD passes (7) than interceptions (5), Watson ran for 175 yards and one score but was sacked 20 times in six outings.