Predicting each AFC North team's record for the 2019 NFL season

The AFC North is going to look a lot different in 2019. The Steelers no longer have Antonio Brown or Le'Veon Bell but are still considered among the leagues most dynamic offensive units. The Lamar Jackson era has officially begun in Baltimore and based on their success from a season ago, they're legitimate threats to make the postseason again this season.

Cleveland has built an offensive powerhouse, led by star QB Baker Mayfield, dangerous wideouts Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and a dynamic trio of running backs in Nick Chubb, Duke Johnson Jr., and Kareem Hunt. Meanwhile, the Bengals added some nice pieces during the offseason, too. Here's how I believe each AFC North team will fare, record-wise, in 2019.

#1 Pittsburgh Steelers: 11-5

The Steelers look to bounce back after what many would consider to be a below-par 2018 season. That said, Antonio Brown (Raiders) and Le'Veon Bell (Jets), are gone. This means that there's going to be more time for Pittsburgh to center their attention on getting back to their winning ways. Look for JuJu Smith-Schuster to have a big impact for the gold and black this season, seeing as how he is looked at as their #1 wideout.

Keep in mind, Pittsburgh still has a top defense performance each year, they're very well coached, and they still have one of most elite quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger. The only thing that has me concerned, and it's been a problem for many seasons now, is their secondary. We'll have to see if the Steelers' holes and lack of talent in the secondary come back to haunt them in 2019.

Despite not having a true #2 wideout and a suspect secondary, I believe Pittsburgh will bounce back from last season's debacle by winning 11 games and another AFC North division title.

#2 Cleveland Browns: 10-6

No, I am not buying into the 'Browns Super Bowl hype' heading into 2019. I mean, for the last three decades, they've been the NFL's personal laughing stock. I am, however, here to tell you they're no longer a laughing stock. No, no. This team's loaded with stars on both sides of the ball and they know it, too.

With new head coach Freddie Kitchens at the helm, who knows what's in store for this Browns team in 2019. Whether or not Kitchens can keep a very boisterous locker room in check remains to be seen. The Dawg Pounds' defense isn't a joke, either. They've got a lot of young, talented, and promising individuals who play defense.

However, as talented and well-rounded as this Browns roster may be, the one thing that could stand in the way of reaching their full potential, is themselves. It'll be interesting to see where Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and this juggernaut of an offense can go in 2019. If they can avoid getting in their own way, 10 wins will seem like just the tip of the iceberg for the new and improved Cleveland Browns.

#3 Baltimore Ravens: 9-7

Speaking of dynamic offenses, the Ravens seem to have a lot of firepower at their disposal, too. Lamar Jackson is going to be a very intriguing quarterback to watch this season, as he surprised the entire league by coming in for Joe Flacco, and leading his team into the postseason as a rookie.

Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown is a straight up burner who's got the ability to score with every touch or catch that comes his way. I expect Baltimore to be a very 'old school' smash-mouth football team with newcomer Mark Ingram leading the way. They're going to run the ball down opponents' throats, and then air it out when you least expect it.

My concerns, however, aren't with this Ravens offense. It's their defense that has me worried a little. Loosing Terrell Suggs (Cardinals), C.J. Mosley (Jets), and Za'Darius Smith (Packers), in free agency is more significant than you think, as all three backers helped to generate a solid portion of the Ravens' pass rush last season.

The Ravens are a great team with a lot of promising talent, but Baker Mayfield is better than Lamar Jackson as of right now, and the Browns just have a more complete team. Seeing as how the Ravens lost three quality defensive starters in free agency and are still trying to figure out what they have in Lamar Jackson, I'd say 9 wins is more than adequate for them in 2019.

#4 Cincinnati Bengals: 6-10

The Bengals have never really been that great of an organization, especially with longtime (and now former head coach) Marvin Lewis running the show. Insert Zac Taylor, who comes over from the Los Angeles Rams. But we don't really know if he's any good. I do like the upgrades they've made to the offensive line over the past several seasons, though.

My biggest problem, like many other teams that aren't that good, is the quarterback. Andy Dalton has been about as average as you would expect a fomer second-round pick at quarterback to be. It's not entirely his fault, either. His offensive line, up until recently, has been average to below average, the receivers can't stay healthy or produce like they should and, to top it all off, you've had Marvin Lewis at the helm for the last decade-plus.

Yes, the Bengals started 3-1 last season. But they have't done much to address their major holes defensively. I mean, there's a reason Cincinatti's defense ranked in the bottom half of several important categories last season. I don't see things changing this season. They'll win a few games, but with the offensive struggles, defensive holes, and a rookie head coach, 6 wins is as high as I'll go for the Bengals in 2019.

Edited by Raunak J