AFC North Preview: Cleveland hopes makeover on defense leads to overtaking Steelers, Ravens

1. Cleveland Browns

Coach: Kevin Stefanski (second twelvemonth — 11-5 regular season, 1-1 playoffs).

2020 record: 11-5 (tied for 2nd successful AFC North; mislaid astatine Kansas City successful Divisional Round).

Defensive play-caller: Joe Woods (second year).

Best player/best newcomer connected defense: DE Myles Garrett/S John Johnson. Garrett is playing similar the archetypal wide prime helium was successful 2017 — helium has 35 1/2 sacks successful the past 3 years. Johnson near the Rams to anchor the Browns’ backmost end; helium had 119 tackles successful ’18 and 105 past twelvemonth (eight vocation interceptions).

Key statistic: Four — antiaircraft walk interference penalties, fewest successful the NFL.

Why they’ll decorativeness first: The defence volition person immoderate increasing pains introducing 5 caller starters. With a roster afloat of players who are the taxable of precocious expectations for the archetypal clip oregon eyeing caller contracts, the Browns could instrumentality a measurement back. Still, led by Garrett and Johnson connected defence and backmost Baker Mayfield and receiver Odell Beckham connected offense, Cleveland is the people of the division.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Nick Wass, The Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens backmost Lamar Jackson throws a walk against the Tennessee Titans during the archetypal fractional of an NFL shot game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, successful Baltimore.

Coach: John Harbaugh (14th twelvemonth — 129-79 regular season; 11-8 playoffs).

2020 record: 11-5 (tied for 2nd successful AFC North; mislaid astatine Buffalo successful Divisional Round).

Defensive play-caller: Don Martindale (fourth year).

Best player/best newcomer connected defense: CB Marlon Humphrey/OLB Jayson Oweh. Humphrey is the league’s 2nd highest-paid cornerback ($19.5 cardinal average) and had a NFL-best 8 forced fumbles past year. Oweh was drafted No. 31 contempt not having a sack successful 7 games past twelvemonth for Penn State.

Key statistic: 106 — points disconnected takeaways past year, astir successful the league.

Why they’ll decorativeness second: The Ravens simply aren’t explosive capable offensively if they autumn behind. Baltimore led the league successful rushing but was past successful passing. They added receiver Sammy Watkins successful escaped agency, but helium doesn’t truly determination the needle. Quarterback Lamar Jackson remains a dynamic play-maker and had a 26-to-9 TD-to-INT ratio past year, but he’s 4th successful the part down Baker Mayfield (Cleveland), Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) and Joe Burrow (Cincinnati).

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Ron Jenkins, The Associated Press

Pittsburgh Steelers backmost Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a walk successful the archetypal fractional of an NFL shot crippled against the Dallas Cowboys successful Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020.

Coach: Mike Tomlin (15th twelvemonth — 145-78-1 regular season; 8-8 playoffs).

2020 record: 12-4 (first successful AFC North; mislaid to Cleveland successful Wild Card round).

Defensive play-caller: Keith Butler (seventh year).

Best player/best newcomer connected defense: OLB T.J. Watt/LB Buddy Johnson. Watt is successful enactment for a mega-contract; helium led the league with 15 sacks past twelvemonth and has missed lone 2 games successful 4 seasons. A fourth-round rookie, Johnson had a team-high 86 tackles past twelvemonth for Texas A&M.

Key statistic: 56 — sacks, which led the league past year.

Why they’ll decorativeness third: Too overmuch endowment out, not capable endowment in. The Steelers mislaid walk rusher Bud Dupree, linebacker Avery Williamson and cornerbacks Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton. That volition enactment adjacent much blocking attraction connected Watt. Offensively, they volition beryllium leaning connected rookie moving backmost Najee Harris to marque definite Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t person to propulsion 608 times again. Pittsburgh was 1-5 down the agelong past twelvemonth (including playoffs).

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Greg Fiume, Getty Images

Eric Dungey #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the shot during the NFL preseason crippled against the Washington Football Team astatine FedExField connected Aug. 20, 2021 successful Landover, Maryland.

Coach: Zac Taylor (third twelvemonth — 6-25-1 regular season).

2020 record: 4-11-1 (fourth successful AFC North).

Defensive play-caller: Lou Anarumo (third year).

Best player/best newcomer connected defense: S Vonn Bell/DE Trey Hendrickson. Bell near New Orleans and had 114 tackles and 5 walk break-ups for the Bengals. Hendrickson near the Saints this offseason for a declaration averaging $15 million. He had lone 6 1/2 sacks successful his archetypal 3 years, but 13 1/2 successful 2020.

Key statistic: 77 — plays allowed of astatine slightest 20 yards, astir successful the league.

Why they’ll decorativeness fourth: The Bengals person the halfway violative players successful spot with backmost Joe Burrow, moving backmost Joe Mixon and receiver Ja’Marr Chase. But astir that defence … they are counting connected Hendrickson to beryllium much than a one-year wonder. The bully happening for Taylor is the Bengals are traditionally diligent with their caput coaches.