Ravens vs. The World! Does NFL Free Agency Mean Rivals Catch Baltimore in AFC North?

The Baltimore Ravens are trying to repeat as AFC North Champions, but one division rival could be standing in their way.

When it comes to repeating as division champions of the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens will have to rely on two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson to lead the way. 

After a start to free agency that saw star players like linebacker Patrick Queen, safety Geno Stone, offensive lineman John Simpson, and right tackle Morgan Moses all find new homes, the Ravens' grasp on their division could be seen as slipping. 

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Especially with several of their free-agent stars leaving for teams in the North to start, who remains the organization's biggest threat to repeating as division champions?

While the Steelers, Browns, and Bengals all have seemingly improved during the offseason, two organizations may not provide the same type of issues as the other. 

With Cleveland and Pittsburgh, the Ravens have two teams that they battled hard against during the regular season last year. The Steelers have knocked off Baltimore seven of the last eight times the two teams have faced off, and the Browns have added some much-needed firepower to their offense that made the playoffs last season. 

We say neither organization should be considered a threat to the division, though. 

The Browns struggled offensively with Deshaun Watson with several fans questioning the trade and contract the organization gave him two years ago. Despite Cleveland's top defense and skill group, it's hard to consider them true threats as long as Watson is the starter. 

The same could be said for Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers may have had Baltimore's number in the past, and Russell Wilson could be considered an upgrade over the cast of characters at quarterback, but the Ravens are looking to compete for division titles while the Steelers haven't won the North since 2020. The organization is known to lose games against bad teams throughout the regular season (like last year's losses to the Patriots and Cardinals) so until that consistency changes, they should not be considered a real threat. 

That leaves us Cincinnati. The Ravens may have swept the Bengals last year, but Cincinnati's quarterback Joe Burrow was lost late in the year and dealt with injuries throughout the 2023 season. When healthy, he's still the only quarterback in the AFC North talented enough to compete at the highest level with Jackson. 

Ex Ravens LB Patrick Queen Recruited DeShon Elliott to Steelers

Cincinnati's offense is also as talented as Baltimore's, their defense is an elite group, and the coaching staff is among the most respected in football. 

The Browns and Steelers may have gotten the better of the Ravens in 2023, but in the race to another AFC North crown, it's the Bengals that pose the biggest threat.