On the cusp of the 2016 NFL season, our analysts provide their picks for the major individual awards and playoff predictions for each conference. Check back Friday to see Championship Sunday/Super Bowl forecasts.
AFC NORTH
Judy Battista: Pittsburgh Steelers. The secondary might be shaky, but this could be the best offense in football. Hello, Todd Haley's goal of 30 points per game?
Jeffri Chadiha: Cincinnati Bengals. This team would've gone further last season had QB Andy Dalton not been sidelined with a thumb injury during last year's playoffs.
Gil Brandt: Steelers. Even without Martavis Bryant -- and with Le'Veon Bell suspended the first three games -- the Steelers have too much offense not to win the division, especially with an improving defense.
Maurice Jones-Drew: Steelers. This is arguably the best offense in the league and the defense has improved.
Brian Billick: Steelers. The Steelers carry the most explosive offense in the NFL and that is enough to win the division in this new age of football.
Gregg Rosenthal: Steelers. I am a sucker for Ben Roethlisberger having an MVP candidate season and the defense has finally rebuilt with promising pieces throughout the front seven.
Willie McGinest: Bengals. This team went 10-2 before Andy Dalton went down last season, so if he is healthy, the Bengals will stay at the top of this division.
Adam Schein: Steelers. The Steelers' offensive firepower gives Pittsburgh the division title.
Bucky Brooks: Steelers. Mike Tomlin steers the Steelers to the AFC's No. 1 seed with both the offense and defense posting top-five efforts.
Elliot Harrison: Steelers. The suspensions of Le'Veon Bell (three games) and Martavis Bryant (full season) hurt, but the defense should be even better in Year 2 under Keith Butler. The Bengals have question marks and injury concerns on offense.
David Carr: Steelers. If healthy, this team has an improving defense and an explosive offense.
Charley Casserly: Steelers. Their offense will carry them to the division title.
Ike Taylor: Steelers. The Big Three -- Big Ben, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell -- will lead this team back to the AFC North throne.
Dave Dameshek: Steelers. Keith Butler's D now features difference-making young talent in Stephon Tuitt, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree to go along with Todd Haley's still-potent offense. (11-5, No. 2 seed)
Chris Wesseling: Bengals. We continue to overlook the Bengals in August and overrate the Bengals in January.
Colleen Wolfe: Steelers. Big year in Pittsburgh. I'm worried about the defense, but whatever. Details, details.
Heath Evans: Steelers. It's going to come down to the wire, but the Steelers' offense will carry them to an AFC North title.
Marcas Grant: Steelers. In a division full of flawed teams, the Steelers have the fewest questions. If the offense can survive Le'Veon Bell's suspension, they'll be just fine.
Alex Gelhar: Bengals. Their defense is still stacked, and the offense is built around Andy Dalton not needing to shoulder the whole loud. Given Pittsburgh's losses on offense, I'll take Cincy to win the North.
