2017 NFL Predictions: Division winners, playoff standings, etc.

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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AFC North

Sep 1, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

If nothing else, the AFC North has the potential to produce two of the most lethal playoff teams that side of the aisle.

Pittsburgh has emerged as a high-end contender, while the Cincinnati Bengals have more questions than answers at this point.

Andy Dalton has done awful when his team has reached the playoffs in recent memory, so in order for anything to change for the Bengals it starts with Dalton.

Antonio Brown keeps finding ways to get faster and better, while Ben Roethlisberger still has some gas left in the tank.

Outside of Cincy and Pittsburgh, a story to watch closely is the shot at redemption that’s being given to RG III as a member of the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns never seem to disappoint, and their choice to trust Robert Griffin III shows how far they’ve come the last few seasons at the quarterback position.

But don’t expect a playoff run out of Griffin’s first year in the dog pound.

Improved play can give the Bengals a chance to compete for the divisional crown, but this one should be relatively easy for the Steelers to take as their own.

Division Predictions: 

Steelers (11-5)
Bengals (9-7)
Browns (7-9)
Ravens (7-9)

Next: AFC West