The Still Curtain knows all. This season, there are plenty of NFL teams that can change the outcome of the season, and we have all the answers to who comes out on top.
The team at Still Curtain took on the challenge of predicting the entire NFL season. Each division winner, Conference Championship and Super Bowl winner are all listed below.
Not everyone believes the same. But before the 2018 season kicks off,
AFC North
Noah (@NoahStrack) – The Steelers. This is an easy one. The Browns are on their way up but certainly nothing too dangerous, yet. Baltimore is still not a concern as they’re likely to have a quarterback battle going on all season. The Bengals may be a threat, but the defense is getting weaker and with Marvin Lewis as coach, they are never too much to be worried about.
Chris (@chalicke) – Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore is the biggest threat in the division, but their schedule is much tougher than Pittsburgh’s. Cincinnati has too many questions (offensive line, defense) and Cleveland, while on the rise, still probably won’t even be a .500 team.
Ed (@huntem89) – Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers return a lot of the team that led them to a clear division title in 2017. Baltimore does have a franchise quarterback but not the offensive firepower needed to compete with the Steelers. Cincinnati comes back as a below 500 team with not a lot of improvements other than a good draft that will take years to realize. The Browns are going to be most improved, but I don’t see them being more than 500.
David (@ddoeswell) – Steelers. They have proven to be the top team with talent and coaching. Cincy is going to surprise a lot of teams with their seasoned talent except the “O” line. Baltimore will have that strong defense with offensive capabilities but Flacco. Browns defense finished in the top ten but they are not ready for primetime.
Zack (@ZackGo55) – Steelers. Pittsburgh has won the division two years straight now, it’s the status quo. Since the current incarnation of the AFC North that has mostly been the status quo with the occasional challenge from the Ravens or Bengals. So has anything happened to change the status quo? Not enough. Raven and Bengals will be tough teams as always, and the Browns have some reason for hope. But even with defensive questions, particularly at ILB, the Steelers will still be on top.
Donnie (@DonnieDruin)- Steelers. I hate to be another brick in the wall, but there’s not another team built to win in 2018 like Pittsburgh. Baltimore and Cleveland pose threats to put up a fight, and Cincinnati always seems to give the Steelers fits. Yet until we see another team clearly establish themselves, the edge remains to Pittsburgh.
Scott (@scott8871) – Ravens. Joe Flacco finally has dependable weapons and Baltimore still has one of the best defenses around. John Harbaugh always seems to out coach Mike Tomlin when it counts most.
Dan (@Dan_Gilliam) – Steelers. The Steelers are the dominate team in this division and the only other contender may be the Bengals. Their offensive line is improving and I think they sneak in the playoffs but 0 wins in Marvin Lewis’s tenure looks like another quick postseason exit. The Ravens have made a lot of changes on offense and looking to make a major change in scheme with two mobile QB’s behind Flacco. How long until we see Lamar Jackson? (hint; it may be sooner than you think.) I think the Browns will surprise everyone and go 8-8.
Mike (@mikemorris1994) – Gotta be the Steelers. Sure, they tripped up against the Bears last year and lost to Jacksonville twice, but they’ve been making the playoffs consistently. The Ravens and Bengals were both mediocre last year, and the Browns are on their twentieth year of rebuilding. We’ll see how far it carries them into the playoffs, but the Steelers are winning the AFC North.