NFL · 1 year ago

NFL 2024 Season Preview: AFC North Bold Predictions

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

No AFC North Team Makes it Past the Divisional Round
The AFC North is loaded in 2024. No team in the division has a win total lower than 8.5. That's hardly a surprise with the consistency we've continued to see every year for this division. Still, with two legitimate Super Bowl threats in Baltimore and Cincinnati, we will go out on a limb and say that neither of them sniff the AFC Championship Game in 2024. The AFC has multiple contenders ready to impact the postseason race, and it won't surprise us if no AFC North teams qualify for the final four remaining teams in the NFL playoffs.

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Deshaun Watson Won't Finish the Year as Cleveland Browns Starting QB
We're probably not alone in this line of thinking, but the Cleveland Browns signing Deshaun Watson to a monstrous contract after acquiring him from the Houston Texans never made much sense. There have already been reports about discomfort with Watson's arm, and that's never a good sign after having a season-ending injury last year. Whether Watson gets injured or benched, he won't finish the season as the QB1 in Cleveland.

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Tee Higgins Leads Bengals in Receiving
The Cincinnati Bengals have been an interesting team to follow in training camp. Tee Higgins is entering a contract year and has been lights out in camp, while Ja'Marr Chase is looking for a big payday and has only briefly practiced. With the distractions surrounding Chase and Higgins having an excellent camp, don't be surprised if the former Clemson standout leads the team in receiving.
Joe Burrow Doesn't Return to Stardom Yet
It's hard to know what to expect from Joe Burrow this season. After an injury-plagued 2023 campaign, Burrow is back and healthy heading into 2024 for the Cincinnati Bengals. Still, the expectations seem a little high that Burrow will immediately return to form and lead Cincinnati to a big bounce back. The Bengals sit in a tie for the sixth-shortest Super Bowl odds at +1500, and it's hard to buy into that number when we're not sold on Burrow being exceptional out of the gate.
Zay Flowers Develops Into Elite Wideout
When you think of the Baltimore Ravens, you don't usually think of elite wide receivers. Zay Flowers is coming off a strong rookie campaign and will be looking to build off that on a Baltimore offense looking to be elite again in 2024. Even if we think of the Ravens as a run-heavy offense, we're banking on Flowers having a complete breakout in Year 2 and finishing with a stat line of 1,250 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
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Derrick Henry Signing Doesn't Pay Off
There's a lot of buzz about Derrick Henry signing with the Baltimore Ravens and continuing to churn out productive seasons. You can agree with the claim that this is a good situation for him and also make a bet that he won't be nearly as productive as some think. Henry isn't going to be a workhorse for this Baltimore team, knowing they have aspirations of a deep run in January. If Henry wants to live up to the hype, he'll need to do so on efficiency, and we're not banking on that transpiring. He'll still get his at the goal line, but it won't be a surprise to see King Henry take a step back in 2024.
Nick Herbig Finishes Second on Steelers in Sacks
The Pittsburgh Steelers are loaded with playmakers on defense. One name you should get to know on that football side is Nick Herbig. After a dominant preseason, Herbig is ready to take the next step for the Steelers in 2024. We'll go as far as to say that Herbig finishes second on the Steelers in sacks behind T.J. Watt and is in the top 15 in the AFC.
Jaylen Warren Earns RB1 Status
The Pittsburgh Steelers will run the ball at a heavy clip in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Even if both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren get their respective touches, one will ultimately take the lead in the backfield. With the explosive element that Warren brings to the table, we're looking in his direction to do just that.
No AFC North Team Makes it Past the Divisional Round
The AFC North is loaded in 2024. No team in the division has a win total lower than 8.5. That's hardly a surprise with the consistency we've continued to see every year for this division. Still, with two legitimate Super Bowl threats in Baltimore and Cincinnati, we will go out on a limb and say that neither of them sniff the AFC Championship Game in 2024. The AFC has multiple contenders ready to impact the postseason race, and it won't surprise us if no AFC North teams qualify for the final four remaining teams in the NFL playoffs.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Deshaun Watson Won't Finish the Year as Cleveland Browns Starting QB
We're probably not alone in this line of thinking, but the Cleveland Browns signing Deshaun Watson to a monstrous contract after acquiring him from the Houston Texans never made much sense. There have already been reports about discomfort with Watson's arm, and that's never a good sign after having a season-ending injury last year. Whether Watson gets injured or benched, he won't finish the season as the QB1 in Cleveland.

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NFL 2024 Season Preview: AFC North Bold Predictions

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