NFL playoff picture: How the Bengals, Browns, Ravens or Steelers can win the crowded AFC North
For the second NFL season in a row, the AFC North is moving toward a visual finish. Anyone has to win with three weeks left.
In 2020, the Steelers (12-4) beat the Ravens (11-5) and the Browns (11-5) to win the championship. All three reached the knockout stages of the AFC Open 7 team tournament.
In 2021, team Bengal (8-6) beat the rival group, in first place after Week 15 by a head-to-head cracker against Raven (8-6). The Browns (7-6) can match their record with a win over the Raiders on Monday. The Steelers (7-6-1) are currently in last place, but they are only half a game away.
Unlike last season, it will be difficult to have three teams make it to the group stage again. The records aren’t impressive with the four teams involved and that makes it tough in the Wild-card race with the Colts (8-6), Chargers (8-6) and Bills (8-6) – the current No. at until No . 7 seeds in the AFC.
Winning the first division is probably the only way to win tickets for the team from the North. Based on the current standings and three-match finish schedule, here’s the latest breakdown and predictions.
THAN: Update pictures of AFC and NFC playoffs after Week 15
NFL playoff images: AFC North
1. Bengals (8-6)
Parts profile: 3-1
Winning team: at the Steelers (Week 3), at the Ravens (Week 7), versus the Steelers (Week 11).
Remaining schedule: versus Raven, versus Chiefs, at Browns
The Bengali has the best QB of the season, Joe Burrow. They can attack explosively and can also run the ball when needed. Their defense had some problems, but also a lot of good results because they invested a lot to improve it. They straddle the line between the complete team and the inconsistent team, which confirms them as a promising young team.
It’s a good point to have the Ravens reeling at home after getting past them next. That is balanced by the hot chiefs to Cincinnati. The Bengals were crushed at home by the Browns in Week 19, but the “Battle of Ohio” rematch will become a showdown after that. Having the best in the league is very helpful and finishing at least 4-2 in the North match would be huge.
2. Crows (8-6)
Parts profile: 1-3
Division of winners and losers: vs. Browns (Week 12)
Remaining schedule: at the Bengals, against the Rams, against the Steelers
The Ravens were fine when attacked by Tyler Huntley playing supersub for Lamar Jackson against the Packers, but their injury-weaked defense and temporary running game caught up with them with few back-to-back punches. more end. The remaining three games all look very tough, considering how NFC’s Los Angeles is playing and the fact that Baltimore has lost to both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
John Harbaugh has done an admirable job in keeping his team together and on the verge of the knockout stages. But it could be running low on gas at the end of a longer marathon.
3. Brown (7-6)
Parts profile: 2-2
Winning team: in the Bengals (Week 9). versus Raven (Week 14)
Remaining schedule: at the Packers, at the Steelers, versus the Bengals
The Browns need to beat the Raiders because they can’t drop to .500. That would put them last in the table and log them behind the wild card heads with the Raiders, Dolphins and Broncos, all 7-7. The problem for Cleveland beyond the big challenges on the COVID-19 roster compared to Las Vegas is the short week-round rotation to play at 11-3 Green Bay on Christmas Saturday. Staying in Pittsburgh for Week 17 is tough, and Cincinnati in Week 18 will be much better prepared for the rematch.
Will the Browns attack enough around Nick Mullens and then Baker Mayfield to support the defense and win enough? That’s hard to answer, because it can really go one of two ways.
4. Steelers (7-6-1)
Parts profile: 2-2
Winning team: at the Browns (Week 8), versus the Ravens (Week 13)
Remaining schedule: at the Chiefs. versus the Browns, at Ravens
The Steelers needed that successful rally against the Titans to save their playoffs in Week 15. The home draw against the Little Lions continued to haunt them. Pittsburgh overtook Cleveland and Baltimore in the same first meetings as in Tennessee, but the upcoming rematches could easily go in the other direction.
Mike Tomlin has coached the Steelers well in contention, but perhaps he didn’t anticipate his attacking ability at times being too limited and the defense at times being overwhelmed, creating the complementary football that was lacking. Consistency. Playing the aggregate chiefs in Kansas City is a terrible foray into the ultimate subdivision game.
Who will win the AFC Northern Championship?
Believe it or not, the Bengals are the best team to get the job done with a 10-7 record. They didn’t like being left behind last season and are playing like that. They have the fewest problems compared to the other teams and the digging for that Week 15 win in Denver is huge.
Cincinnati has built a solid resume in the department and could add to it. There is some real belief that the Bengals can lead 2-1, while with the others in the table, 1-2 looks like the final scenario.
With all cross divisions playing to the left and tough opponents looming outside the North, only one is headed for a double-digit win. 9-8 looks like the ceiling for the Ravens and Browns, while the Steelers head towards .500.
Nine wins won’t do it at the AFC for a playoff spot. That’s why 7-7 Dolphins and Broncos also feel far behind 8-6 after Week 15.
Queen City hasn’t been King in the North since 2015, but look for the Bengalis who will surprise completion in 2021 and rise to that status.
