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For the fourth consecutive year, the Steelers and Bengals will rotate who comes out on top in the AFC North.
That's what ESPN is predicting, anyway, writing that Pittsburgh will win the division with a 12-4 record. ESPN has the Bengals finishing second at 10-6, with the Ravens matching them with a 10-6 record, and Cleveland winning just four games in 2016.
"We currently project Pittsburgh to be the best offense in the league, which makes a lot of sense considering they ranked third in offensive DVOA last year despite getting just 12 games out of Ben Roethlisberger and six out of Le'Veon Bell," ESPN wrote of the Steelers. "The Steelers also have a strong, experienced offensive line that gets Maurkice Pouncey back from a missed season. The defense brings in some new blood with this year's top two picks (Artie Burns and Sean Davis) plus cornerback Senquez Golson, a 2015 second-rounder who missed his entire rookie year."
Despite winning 12 games last year, ESPN thinks that the Bengals will remain competitive but will take a step back in 2016, citing the loss of receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones and one less home game as the main reasons for why they have Cincinnati behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Bengals did add Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd in the second round of the draft, and bolstered their defense with the additions of cornerback William Jackson III and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
After winning just five games in 2015, ESPN thinks that the rebuilt Ravens will rebound in 2015. Saddled with injuries last season, ESPN thinks that Baltimore will be able to bounce back with the return of Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr. and Justin Forsett.
ESPN doesn't expect much out of the Browns in Hue Jackson's first year at the helm in Cleveland. But with 14 rookies acquired in this year's draft (including four new wide receivers), the Browns could be a team to keep an eye on in the years to come, as long as Jackson is around long enough to watch his plan reach fruition.
[url]http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/ESPN-predicts-winner-record-of-every-AFC-North-in-2016-45301903[/url]
That's what ESPN is predicting, anyway, writing that Pittsburgh will win the division with a 12-4 record. ESPN has the Bengals finishing second at 10-6, with the Ravens matching them with a 10-6 record, and Cleveland winning just four games in 2016.
"We currently project Pittsburgh to be the best offense in the league, which makes a lot of sense considering they ranked third in offensive DVOA last year despite getting just 12 games out of Ben Roethlisberger and six out of Le'Veon Bell," ESPN wrote of the Steelers. "The Steelers also have a strong, experienced offensive line that gets Maurkice Pouncey back from a missed season. The defense brings in some new blood with this year's top two picks (Artie Burns and Sean Davis) plus cornerback Senquez Golson, a 2015 second-rounder who missed his entire rookie year."
Despite winning 12 games last year, ESPN thinks that the Bengals will remain competitive but will take a step back in 2016, citing the loss of receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones and one less home game as the main reasons for why they have Cincinnati behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Bengals did add Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd in the second round of the draft, and bolstered their defense with the additions of cornerback William Jackson III and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
After winning just five games in 2015, ESPN thinks that the rebuilt Ravens will rebound in 2015. Saddled with injuries last season, ESPN thinks that Baltimore will be able to bounce back with the return of Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr. and Justin Forsett.
ESPN doesn't expect much out of the Browns in Hue Jackson's first year at the helm in Cleveland. But with 14 rookies acquired in this year's draft (including four new wide receivers), the Browns could be a team to keep an eye on in the years to come, as long as Jackson is around long enough to watch his plan reach fruition.
[url]http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/ESPN-predicts-winner-record-of-every-AFC-North-in-2016-45301903[/url]
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