2026 AFC North season preview: Prediction, record, rosters, strengths and weaknesses
The Post’s Andrew Crane previews the AFC North for the 2026 season.Coach: Jesse Minter2025 record: 8-9O/U wins: 11.5Key additions: Baltimore capitalized on the Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson conundrum by landing the star edge rusher, while also adding veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell.And though much of the Ravens’ offensive core remains the same, they brought back guard John Simpson on a three-year, $30 million deal after he spent two seasons with the Jets.Key departures: TE Isaiah Likely, RB Keaton Mitchell, C Tyler Linderbaum, LB Kyle Van Noy, S Alohi Gilman and DL Dre’Mont Jones.First-and-goal: After stunningly missing the playoffs on a last-second missed kick, the Ravens, who have yet to make a Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era, fired John Harbaugh and brought back his former defensive assistant in Minter.
They were a middle-tier offense last year (24.9 points per game), but with Jackson, Derrick Henry — looking for a fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season — and young receiver Zay Flowers, Baltimore can regain its status as an elite contender.Fourth-and-long: Injuries remain the critical variable.Jackson missed four games in 2025 with hamstring and back injuries, and Henry is up to 3,664 career rushes after another 307 last year.Prediction: 13-4.
The Minter era begins with a division title after a Week 17 win on the road against the Bengals.Coach: Zac Taylor2025 record: 6-11O/U wins: 10.5Key additions: If the Bengals needed to make a move to signal they’re serious about contending in 2026, it occurred in April, when they landed star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II from the Giants.Cincinnati also added Jonathan Allen to its defensive line, while inking a deal with safety Kyle Dugger in free agency.Key departures: Edge Trey Hendrickson, edge Joseph Ossai, LB Logan Wilson, QB Jake Browning and TE Noah Fant.First-and-goal: The Bengals are due.
Long overdue.They haven’t made the playoffs since their 2021 run to the Super Bowl and subsequent...