<p>The 25/26 NFL season is here. We’re past the pre-season, past the Tay Tay appearance that broke the internet on ‘New Heights’ and hopefully past most of the contract holdouts and trade demands.</p> <p>We’re looking at every team, every strength, every possible weakness and a way to make money on all 32 NFL squads. This time we take a look at the AFC North, home to Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers and Shedeur Sanders.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest analysis, predictions and betting tips for the AFC North, check out my AFC North preview and predictions below. You can also follow me <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">on the feed</a> for plenty of other NFL tips and predictions throughout the season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Baltimore Ravens Season Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>John Harbaugh</p> <p><strong>Last season: </strong>12-5</p> <p>The Ravens are there every season.</p> <p>The problem is, ‘there’ is not where they want to be. It’s where some franchises would kill to be, but the playoffs are not enough for this team. They need a Super Bowl ring.</p> <p>With this quarterback, this running back and this defence, a Super Bowl trophy needs to arrive in Owings Mills, Maryland.</p> <p>Lamar Jackson has two NFL MVP gongs. He’s mesmerised almost every defence he’s faced but, in the playoffs, his record drops to three wins, five losses. Up against dudes like Patrick Mahomes (17-4), Josh Allen (7-6 admittedly also no Super Bowl visits) and even Joe Burrow (5-2), the numbers simply do not stack up in winning time.</p> <p>Derrick Henry rumbled for almost 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. You’d doubt he can repeat that feat, meaning more has to come from the receiving core. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews as the players Jackson needs to rely upon.</p> <p>They are right there. But being right on the doorstep is not enough for the Ravens. They need to kick the door in and take a seat at the Super Bowl, before Jackson’s peak years are behind him.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record:</strong> 12-5.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/baltimore-ravens-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9208134"> Kyle Hamilton 5+ interceptions in regular season.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cincinnati Bengal Season Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Zac Taylor.</p> <p><strong>Last season: </strong>9-8.</p> <p>Last season there was a familiar vibe in Cincinnati.</p> <p>A slow beginning, some dreadful losses then an amazing albeit wasted playoff run.</p> <p>Joe Burrow played as good a quarterback season as you can imagine. Almost 5,000 yards and 43 TD with just nine picks. The problem was that the defence was all over the shop and meant Burrow and the Bengals O had to be perfect every week just to have a chance.</p> <p>Ja’Marr Chase was perfect at receiver. He claimed the receiving triple crown, amassing 1,708 yards on 127 catches with 17 of those being in the end zone. Tee Higgins ably assisted Chase and Burrow when he was healthy and despite seeming unlikely, returned on a mega $115m deal.</p> <p>There’s no money left for the D, so the draft is where it’s at for this team.</p> <p>Coach Taylor will be on a warm seat this season. A warm seat which will heat up quick with another slow beginning.</p> <p>They face Cleveland Jacksonville out of the gates; a 2-0 start is non-negotiable.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record:</strong> 10-7.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/cincinnati-bengals-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9208131"> Ja’Marr Chase most receiving yards regular season.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cleveland Browns Season Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Kevin Stefanski.</p> <p><strong>Last season: </strong>3-14.</p> <p>Another 17 games in Cleveland, another heavy losing season.</p> <p>The mess continues, with only three wins in a woeful campaign.</p> <p>The beauty in that is accessing the top of the draft. The Browns moved back from two to five and nabbed DT Mason Graham from Michigan. They went defence and running back in Round 2 but most of the interest was with their Round 5 pick.</p> <p>With pick 144 they selected Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders - the son of the great Deion Sanders.</p> <p>Much of the pre-draft type was on Sanders going inside the top 10. The hype train crashed, though, and Sanders now needs to earn his stripes in Cleveland. Early signs were positive.</p> <p>Myles Garrett leads this defence, but the team has lacked firepower and consistency across most positions.</p> <p>Few doubt whether Stefanski can coach but the problem seems to be above his head. Another team with shoddy ownership and bad decision making.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record: </strong>4-13.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/cleveland-browns-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9494796"> -5.5 regular season wins.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Mike Tomlin</p> <p><strong>Last season: </strong>10-7</p> <p>Talk about a tough team to read - these Steelers fit that bill.</p> <p>Coach Tomlin secured another winning season, despite more down than up play from the quarterbacks and some drama with other elements of the offence.</p> <p>They paid TJ Watt in the off-season, which means he’s likely to put together another DPOTY-calibre season.</p> <p>41-year-old Aaron Rodgers arrives at QB.</p> <p>Last season, Rodgers and the Jets were off the rails, but his play slowly improved late in the regular season.</p> <p>He played all 17 games and threw for 28 TD on just 11 picks. Should he replicate that type of play here, with Tomlin at the helm, the Steelers will again win more games than they lose.</p> <p>They also acquired DK Metcalf on the outside, giving Rodgers a monster target outside the hashes. Whether they can consistently connect will be telling, as we know DK can be occasionally flighty.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record:</strong> 9-8.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/pittsburgh-steelers-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9327433"> Aaron Rodgers +22.5 passing touchdowns in regular season.</a></p>