Are you ready for some football? We are going to blink, and the 2025 NFL season will be upon us as training camps for all 32 teams have started. There is plenty to dive into this year with quarterbacks switching teams, major coaches making a return, and plenty of teams getting much better, while some probably needed some more help. Here is our 2025 AFC North preview.
Last Year
For the second year in a row and the fourth time in the last seven, the Ravens were the kings of the AFC North. Baltimore was able to glide to a division title, finishing two games better than the Steelers who played better than expected with a QB tandem of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. They will look much different this time around with neither of those guys coming back under center. It was a frustrating year for the Bengals who got an MVP season out of Joe Burrow, but their defense was one of the worst in the league, giving up tons of points. The Browns were an utter failure. Deshaun Watson was injured, and the offense was brutal to watch. They won just three games all year and ended on a six-game skid. They are lucky that the entire staff and front office weren’t fired.
Favorite to win in 2025
The Ravens are given the best chance to win by Vegas. Lamar Jackson is playing at an MVP level season in and season out. Their defense continues to be one of the best in the league and really settled in the second half of the year after a coordinator switch. But the Bengals should be right on their tails this year with Burrow playing at a high level. The biggest question there is whether Trey Hendrickson gets a contract, along with their first round pick Shemar Stewart who is also holding out of training camp. The Steelers could see major growing pains with Aaron Rodgers now under center. He didn’t help the Jets much in 2024 and is a year older and finds himself in a more inconsistent offense.
Offensive Player to Watch: Aaron Rodgers
This feels like the only right answer as we watch what will very likely be the final season for Aaron Rodgers. To be honest, I am shocked that he came back for another year although I imagine ending how it did a year ago in New York was too much for him to handle and he wanted one more stab at it.
Defensive Player to Watch: Myles Garrett
It looked like Myles Garrett was going to get out of Cleveland after he demanded a trade, but a contract extension ended up being his main motive. Garrett has mentioned winning as his number one priority, but I don’t see that happening in Cleveland. He’s a player to watch because he could be a player on the move.
Prediction
I would go with Cincy if their contract issues on the defensive line didn’t exist, but they might stumble out of the gates as these guys hold out and the Ravens should be right there ready to pounce if that’s the case. However, I’m sticking with the Bengals. Record (11-6)