Everything about the Ravens’ 2019 season seemed to augur long-term dominance. A young star emerged at quarterback. A relentless defense developed its identity. An offensive coordinator found his creative groove, pounding team after team into clock-draining submission.
So why would anyone hesitate to hand the division title right back to Baltimore in 2020?
Maybe it’s just the nature of the division itself. The AFC North, especially during the Bengals’ more capable years, has usually been a dogfight. The same can be expected this year, except with the more functional Browns replacing Cincinnati while the Bengals are in full rebuild mode, hoping to create something entirely new with coach Zac Taylor and top pick QB Joe Burrow, instead of running off the fumes of Marvin Lewis–Andy Dalton heyday.