Cleveland Browns: AFC North Champions or Bust
For the first time in a long time the Cleveland Browns are looking to be a dominant and feared team in the NFL, let alone the AFC North. The Browns can dominate the NFL with a few key free agent signings but can dominate AFC North with the team they have right now.
The only true competition the Cleveland Browns have in the AFC North, are the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s it. If you’re sitting there reading this and you’re thinking to yourself, “What about the Baltimore Ravens?” My response, what about them?
They’re hot garbage with an aging and soon to be gutted top five defense. They decided to lean on Lamar Jackson, which will go down as the biggest mistake that franchise has ever made and that’s saying something after signing Joe Flacco to that ridiculous contract after the Superbowl win.
The Bengals are looking to move on from Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. These players are 30 or older, and in the NFL, 30 is an age of decline. The Bengals make waves during the regular season and their defense plays mediocre, but nothing ever comes from it. For the Bengals though they haven’t been relevant past the regular season since Marvin Lewis became their coach, now former coach.
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The Steelers are the only real stain to wipe off in the AFC North. Pittsburgh currently has an aging Ben Roethlisberger and a disgruntled and all but sold Antonio Brown. Brown probably won’t be traded. His price tag is too high for the average team and for the team that needs a stud receiver, they shouldn’t have to give up a first round pick and then some for a receiver who is a cancer in the locker room and will show signs of aging sooner than later.
Big Ben will retire before he can’t walk presumably, which isn’t far off either. I imagine he retires after this season, Antonio Brown has an off year and sits out multiple games this year and maybe the whole season if he isn’t traded before the season begins.
The Browns are clearly the front runners in this division, and if they aren’t, they will be recognized as such when the season starts. The Bengals and Ravens will struggle for wins and the Steelers are a toss up — which all depends on the health of Big Ben and the willingness of Antonio Brown. I don’t believe the Browns lose the AFC North, but they do need to add an offensive weapon at receiver, and they have holes on the defense. Fill those gaps and the Browns will spend next season looking at the playoffs.
Next. 7-round mock draft pre-Combine. dark
The Cleveland Browns have moves to make in free agency and the draft, but this is a team on the rise — and even with the players they have in the mix now, they look ready to take over the North. If they don’t, 2019 will feel like a bust.