Let one analyst tell it, there are essentially three teams competing in the AFC North in 2019.
The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t one of those because of their rebuilding status, according to NFL Network’s Max Starks in the video above.
Starks is a familiar name, of course, because he spent a bunch of time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But even that aside, he gives most of the credit to the Baltimore Ravens as serious contenders.
And kudos to Starks in that area — it’s all too easy to jump on the Cleveland Browns bandwagon right now. Starks says the Ravens are more dangerous, especially if Lamar Jackson keeps developing. He still wants to see Baker Mayfield and Co. actually do something with the hype.
Interestingly, the hosts don’t have much to say about the Pittsburgh Steelers losing players like Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.
On the topic of the Bengals, the show mostly passes them over with a handwave because a new coaching staff means a rebuild. But it’s not the same as say, what’s happening in Miami.
The Bengals intend on competing in 2019. Maybe a new coachings staff struggles and a brutal schedule takes its toll, but the team intends to have a big impact on the AFC North.
