Who may very well be enjoying their final video games with the Steelers, Ravens, Bengals and Browns?

Each week through the season and sometimes through the offseason, our panel of AFC North writers takes on the urgent points, trending matters and pending selections going through the AFC North groups. This week, we take a look at the Steelers’ likelihood to clinch the division title and a bit at what’s forward …

We’re near the top. If the Ravens fall in Green Bay Saturday evening, the division will probably be determined. Is there nonetheless some compelling motive for followers to remain engaged with the staff you cowl? Or is that this throughout however the post-Christmas burps?

Mike DeFabo (Steelers): Between DK Metcalf’s altercation with a fan, T.J. Watt’s unsure standing after struggling {a partially} collapsed lung, a division title on the road and a staff that may be peaking on the proper time, there are many causes for Steelers followers to remain engaged. You higher consider a variety of Terrible Towel twirlers will probably be tuned in for Saturday evening’s Ravens recreation. However, for the Steelers themselves, it’s about extra than simply stepping into the playoffs. For a lot of the yr, the Steelers appeared like the most effective staff in a foul division — and nothing extra. But during the last three weeks, they’re beginning to play their finest soccer. The run recreation and protection that had been purported to assist Aaron Rodgers have lastly arrived. Will that proceed to assist the Steelers acquire momentum going into the playoffs, or will they limp to the end line?

Jeff Zrebiec (Ravens): The Ravens are fast to say they nonetheless have one thing to play for, that they haven’t been mathematically eradicated but, however let’s be critical right here. When you might want to not solely beat the Green Bay Packers and the first-place Steelers on the highway, however you additionally want the Cleveland Browns to beat the Steelers — all whereas not figuring out whether or not Lamar Jackson will play once more this yr — it’s time to begin reserving that journey to Cancun. At this level, nearly the one factor that issues to most Ravens followers, a lot of whom have grown uninterested in watching the 2025 model of this staff, is whether or not proprietor Steve Bisciotti will mandate organizational adjustments and the way in depth these adjustments may be.

Paul Dehner Jr. (Bengals): Cincinnati followers spent all offseason craving to look at Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins play collectively. They’ve solely been capable of see them begin and end three complete video games collectively this yr, however they might get to take action two extra occasions. The Bengals can ship a reminder of how dominant they are often in full power and set the tone for 2026. That’s value having fun with even when there’s no actual that means of their remaining video games, towards Arizona and Cleveland.

Zac Jackson (Browns): Myles Garrett goes to set the NFL single-season sack file and Shedeur Sanders stays fascinating, even when there’s little likelihood he’ll set up something because it pertains to the Browns’ unsure future. I believe the Steelers in all probability wrap up the division this weekend, and I believe that makes for an excellent cloudier forecast for Sunday’s recreation in Cleveland; if the Steelers have already clinched, they could maintain again and let the Browns win themselves out of a top-two choose in subsequent April’s draft. But to reply the query immediately: It’s throughout however the burps.

We’ll get deeper into what’s subsequent and potential participant motion within the coming weeks and months. But with the common season coming to a detailed, who’s essentially the most distinguished participant on the staff you cowl who’s probably enjoying his final video games together with his present staff?

DeFabo: Is it too quickly to begin questioning what the longer term holds for Rodgers? Shortly after the veteran QB signed, he stated on the Pat McAfee Show that he was “pretty sure” this yr could be his final. Maybe this may actually be the longer term Hall of Famer’s final act, however contemplating the faculty QB class hasn’t been as sturdy as anticipated and Rodgers has usually performed effectively, we may very well be in for one more offseason of hypothesis and indecision.

Zrebiec: Pro Bowl middle Tyler Linderbaum is Baltimore’s most distinguished pending free agent, however there nonetheless appears to be curiosity from each side in figuring out a deal; I’m not able to say his days in purple are numbered. The man to look at is longtime Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, a four-time Pro Bowl choice. Humphrey turns 30 earlier than 2026 coaching camp begins. He nonetheless can create turnovers and is a bodily tackler, however he’s getting picked on extra typically with every passing week. He’s on account of make a base wage of $15.25 million subsequent yr, and that’s clearly a variety of money to dole out for a participant who has proven indicators of decline. It would probably must be a post-June 1 scenario, and there’s at all times the choice of a pay minimize, however Humphrey’s standing bears watching. General supervisor Eric DeCosta can have a variety of robust selections to make this offseason, and Humphrey will probably be at or close to the highest of the listing.

Dehner Jr.: Well, Trey Hendrickson gained’t be enjoying, in any other case he could be the best reply. There’s not a lot prominence past him amongst Cincinnati’s upcoming free brokers. Perhaps Joseph Ossai attracts curiosity, however he gained’t be on the prime of the category. An fascinating title to comply with will probably be B.J. Hill, who signed a three-year deal final offseason however may very well be on the chopping block to clear cap area because the Bengals seek for extra go rush. Five seasons of Hill in change for Billy Price has been an unbelievable reward for among the finest trades in latest Bengals historical past.

Jackson: Joel Bitonio is ending his twelfth season. He could or could not land in Canton as a guard who performed totally on unhealthy groups, however he’s been a high-level participant for a very long time and a rock-solid power internally for a messy group. What anybody would ask for in an offensive lineman is sturdiness, dependability and flexibility, and Bitonio has lengthy delivered in less-than-ideal well being, less-than-ideal circumstances and less-than-ideal staff circumstances. He hasn’t formally introduced something about his future plans, but when that is it, he’ll definitely be missed.

Perhaps you missed the Pro Bowl announcement whereas ending your Christmas purchasing — and disgrace on you if you happen to did. But we should ask the panel: Did the staff you cowl have a real Pro Bowl snub?

DeFabo: The Steelers acquired three gamers into the Pro Bowl: outdoors linebacker T.J. Watt, defensive again Jalen Ramsey and particular teamer Ben Skowronek. I believe voters just about acquired it proper — though Watt largely acquired in primarily based on status throughout what’s been a considerably quiet season for a participant who’s paid to be within the Defensive Player of the Year dialog yearly. You may make a case for defensive sort out Cameron Heyward, who has sturdy PFF numbers general and three tackles for loss within the final two video games. Second-year middle Zach Frazier additionally probably has a Pro Bowl nod in his future. Given how a lot individuals right here love Frazier, I’m nearly stunned he didn’t get in by way of fan vote.

Zrebiec: The Ravens acquired six guys chosen to the Pro Bowl regardless of being 7-8 and one of many league’s most disappointing groups, so there are completely no grounds to be speaking about Pro Bowl snubs. Punter Jordan Stout and security Kyle Hamilton had been definitely deserving, however the remainder of the staff’s choices in all probability benefited from title recognition and status to some extent, or their positions simply not being a very sturdy discipline. Derrick Henry is fourth within the league in speeding and he has 12 touchdowns, however the three guys who made it forward of him have extra speeding yards and a better yards-per-carry common.

Dehner Jr.: Have to provide the nod to cornerback DJ Turner. He’s tied for the NFL lead in passes defensed, together with two interceptions, whereas shadowing the opponent’s finest receiver each week. Teams stopped going after Turner midseason as he stored getting his palms on passes and forcing turnovers. His breakout yr didn’t draw a lot reward nationally given how brutal the remainder of the protection was round him, however these in Cincinnati know they discovered an actual one at nook, and stress will probably be on the group to lock him up long-term.

Jackson: Though I do assume it issues to gamers contained in the locker rooms to some extent, we as outsiders by no means get again the time we spend speaking in regards to the Pro Bowl. My Browns-related shock was that rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger didn’t make it. He may be an All-Pro this season and ought to be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. In any case, he’s been a shiny spot and is a keeper. The relaxation is simply additional.

Weekend prediction time. Can the Ravens keep alive on Saturday? Will the Steelers be enjoying for something in Cleveland? Will anybody watch Bengals-Cardinals?

DeFabo: I believed in Baltimore all yr and so they’ve simply by no means put it collectively. I believe Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have formally run out of gasoline. The Browns can have a a lot better likelihood if the Steelers relaxation their starters, plus Huntington Bank Field has been a home of horrors for Pittsburgh not too long ago. Still, I believe the Steelers will get the job finished. I’ll experience with Burrow and the Bengals.

Zrebiec: As I write this, I don’t know who will play quarterback for the Packers Saturday, however the Ravens feel and appear finished. I used to be actually impressed with how laborious the Browns performed towards the Bills, however I can’t see a Tomlin staff shedding to the three-win Browns with a division title on the road — until they already cliched with a Ravens loss Saturday. And Burrow and the Bengals will win out; they’ll be drafting halfway via the primary spherical due to it.

Dehner Jr.: Have to credit score Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. They rallied and located a solution to play their finest soccer the final three weeks, and I’ll put on my previous takes uncovered on their demise. Major lure vibes going to Cleveland, however I believe they win. Baltimore loses in Green Bay and the North formally goes to the Steelers. As for the Bengals, this season has a powerful scent of the end with a flourish to place lipstick on the 2025 pig. Bengals win 34-21 over the Cardinals.

Jackson: The Browns actually shouldn’t need to win. That’s only one bizarre issue concerned with this recreation that will get weirder if the Steelers have already clinched. I believe we’ll know early on this one who’s impressed; for now, I’ll take the Steelers in an unpleasant one, 17-14. I’m guessing Angry Burrow is healthier than what the Cardinals are placing on the market, 28-20. And if there’s no Lamar Jackson enjoying effectively for the Ravens, I’ve to say there’s no likelihood: Green Bay 24-13.