The 2019 season is finally upon us. After months of waiting and four preseason games to hold us over, we get to watch real football that actually matters once again. The season will officially kick off on Thursday with the Green Bay Packers facing the Chicago Bears.
As the Baltimore Ravens look to win the AFC North crown for the second year in a row, they’ll face stiff tests from within the division.
Let’s take a look at each team in the AFC North and preview their Week 1 contests to get a better look at what to expect.
Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins
The Ravens are seeking to defend their division title with a new look. For the first time since 2007, the Ravens will be going into the season with someone other than Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback. They’re also going in with a new-look defense that doesn’t have C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle and Za’Darius Smith.
The team looked good in the preseason, going 4-0, but now the real test begins with the games that matter. The Dolphins have been pulling one of the more transparent tank jobs, trading away most of the noteworthy players on the roster, including offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. This should be one the Ravens win easily — they are favored by seven points.
Cincinnati Bengals at Seattle Seahawks
The Bengals haven’t made as many roster changes as their counterparts in the division but they fired longtime coach Marvin Lewis after their third straight losing season. In his place is Zac Taylor, a former understudy of Sean McVay’s with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bengals are opening the season with a trip to CenturyLink Stadium to face off against the Seattle Seahawks. Oddsmakers aren’t confident about the Bengals’ chances, with the Seahawks favored to win by 9.5 points. Pulling off an upset will be quite the task for the Bengals, especially since star receiver A.J. Green will be sitting out while recovering from foot surgery.
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns
The Browns are the paper champions yet again this offseason. But we’ll finally get to see if all the hype is deserved when they take on the Titans in Week 1.
Cleveland traded for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., adding to a talented offense under quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield seems to be the Browns’ savior after setting an NFL rookie record with 27 touchdown passes last year. With additions on both offense and defense, Cleveland is looking like one of the most talented teams in the NFL.
Meanwhile, the Titans are still trying to figure out who they are. After adding quarterback Ryan Tannehill this offseason to sit behind Marcus Mariota, there are still questions at the position both for this year and beyond. They have made clear attempts to add talent on offense, but this year is for evaluating what Tennesee really has to work with.
Oddsmakers are confident in the Browns, having them favored by 5.5 points.
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
The Steelers are hoping they’ll be able to get back to the playoffs after the departures of running back Le’Veon Bell — who sat out all of last season in a contract dispute — and wide receiver Antonio Brown. The Steelers will rely on RB James Conner and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster alongside quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who returns for his 16th season.
Their first test is going to be a big one: a trip to Foxborough on Sunday night to face the New England Patriots, who will be celebrating their sixth Super Bowl win. Tom Brady has never lost to the Steelers at home, and the oddsmakers favor New England by 5.5 points.
