Why the Steelers will finish BELOW .500 | 2025 AFC North Preview

AFC North Showdown: Can the Bengals' Defense Stop the Ravens?

In this episode, the hosts discuss the highly competitive AFC North division leading into the 2025 NFL season. They highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each team, noting the Ravens' loaded roster and Lamar Jackson's potential for an MVP season, the Bengals' impressive offensive lineup but questionable defense, and the Steelers' potential underperformance despite their strong culture and recent additions like DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers. The Browns are largely dismissed due to their crowded and ineffective quarterback situation. The consensus is that the Bengals' defensive performance will be the critical X factor, with predictions favoring the Ravens to come out on top in the division and possibly represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

00:00 Introduction to the AFC North 2025
00:30 The Bengals' Defense: The Key to Success
02:12 The Steelers' Uncertain Future
03:16 Ravens vs. Bengals: The Ultimate Showdown
04:14 The Steelers' Roster Moves and Predictions
07:34 The Browns: A Team in Disarray
08:16 Final Predictions and Fan Engagement

Episode Transcript

Spencer (00:00):
The a FC North is going to be absolutely insane in 2025.

(00:05):
The Baltimore Ravens WandsDivision in 2024.
We know about the PittsburghSteelers getting into the
playoffs over the CincinnatiBengals, despite the Bengals
having the number one offense inthe entire league last year.
And then we have the ClevelandBrowns and all of their
quarterbacks.
James, what is the X factor inthe a FC North in 2025?

James (00:28):
To be honest we all know this answer.
You know it, it's the Bengalsdefense at the end of the day,
because you already know whatwe're getting with the Ravens.
You're gonna get NVP seasons inLamar.
You're gonna get almostoffensive running back, player
of the year.
You're gonna have freakingDerrick Henry.
Of course.
Yeah.
You get Zay flowers.
I'm not putting too much stockinto Deandre Hopkins.
And the defense is loaded, asyou can always tell.

(00:51):
But it really does come down toCincinnati's defense because
Spence and Giselle, we thoughtabout it last year at a time
where we was like, if Cincinnatigets in this holy hell, who's
gonna stop?

Jiselle (01:03):
Mm-hmm.

James (01:05):
Who's gonna stop Burrow?
Who's gonna stop Jamar Chase?
Who's gonna stop t Higgins?
No one.
But of course, the question is,who's the Bengals gonna stop?
And that's, that's really thekey.
'cause I do think, actually theweapons aside, however you want
to judge Joe Burrow versus LamarI just think Cincinnati has a
way better offensive lineupthan.
The Ravens, even with DerrickHenry over Brown and all that.

(01:28):
But still,, it just comes downto the Bengals defense.
And we already know TreyHendrickson's not signed.
We already know Shamar Stewart.
Yes, he did get signed, but ishe really in there now?
Is, does he gonna be ready?
Is he gonna be in footballshape?
A little

Jiselle (01:42):
shaky over there.
Shamar, little shaky, littledisruptive.

James (01:47):
Yeah.
So you know that, that's reallythe key because deep down we're
not worried about the Browns.
The Browns literally have moreguys than the casting crew of
the hangover in different, likedifferent prospects.
It's so insane what they haveSteelers, I'm not gonna lie,
Spence, are we betting againstthe Steelers to finally have a

(02:07):
losing season under Mike Tomlin?
So it just comes down to theBengals defense.

Spencer (02:12):
Yeah.
Giselle I wanna toss thatquestion to you, uh, that he
asked me about the Steelers.
What do, what do we think in2025 is gonna be the fate for
the Steelers?
This is a team under MikeTomlin.
Everyone knows, yeah.
They've never finished below 500in his tenure there.
But Steelers fans also are at apoint now where they're starting
to turn on him because theyhaven't won a playoff game in
about a decade.

(02:33):
Giselle, this is true.
What's your thoughts on thePittsburgh dealers?

Jiselle (02:37):
It's highly probable that this team, this season will
go under 500.

Spencer (02:44):
Oh, I'm with you.

Jiselle (02:45):
It's at this point.
You would actually make moneybetting if they went above 500.
It should be more of a norm thatthey're gonna go under 500.
I just don't think they havewhat it takes.
And that's nothing against theSteelers.
But I think they need anotheryear to wait for another NFL
draft to get some more keyplayers for their arsenal or

(03:06):
hopefully get some really cooltrades in.
'cause right now there isnothing that sets them apart
from the big kahunas in theirdivision, which are the Ravens
and the Bengals.
And for me the fighting matchbetween them all is the Bengals
and the Ravens.
I'm hoping that this season theBengals will prevail, but I'm
not so sure because the Ravenshave undeniably increased their

(03:31):
arsenal.
Which leads me to another point.
If Lamar Jackson is unable toexecute with all of the key
players he has on this team tome, I'm very sorry.
Washed.
There's no reason for it becausethis is the time for the Ravens
to step on these B word snacks.
Patrick Mahomes B words areBengals,

Spencer (03:53):
right?
Hike.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's what I wasthinking.
He

Jiselle (03:55):
doesn't need to be anymore.
Okay.
He's not.
So this is the time to lock in.
Josh Allen is creeping up.
Lamar, you have more MVPs thanhim.
You can do it.
Come on.
Let your mom cuss at you.
Lamar,

James (04:09):
come

Jiselle (04:09):
on.

James (04:10):
I'm with you on this one.
Giselle.
You know what's crazy, Spence?
I'll throw it to you.
Are we, I know we joke about theSteelers and Mike Tongue, but we
don't like the moves they made.
We don't like Aaron Rogers.
We don't like Dk Metcalf.
We don't like the signing of TJWat.
What about big place?
Like, come on.
They got some veterans in there.
Well,

Spencer (04:26):
I like the addition of DK Metcalf before they traded
away George Pickens, but now Iask you that part.
Yeah.
They've got DK Metcalf.
Are we believing in CalvinAustin as your wide receiver
too?
Is Pat Fryer Moth going to takean uptick in targets?
Mm-hmm.
I don't know.
And Aaron Rogers, what we sawfrom him last year.
I, I don't know.
I'm just not inspired and I'm anall time Aaron Rogers guy.

(04:49):
I love Aaron Rogers.
I'm a Packer's owner.
Have I ever told you that?
I'm an owner of the Green BayPackers, so I've always been a
big fan of Aaron Rogers.
I don't know.
By the way, the win total byVegas, they do have the Steelers
at eight and a half.
It is right there, so.
Mm-hmm.
People betting over or under,we're going to decide.
Mike Tomlin stayed here because,I'll say this, in fact, the

(05:10):
Pittsburgh Steelers do finishbelow 500.
Book it.
Now, Mike Tomlin is aguaranteed, I don't know,
firings the right term, but hewill not be the coach in 2026.
Not if they go under 500.
That is the only thing mm-hmm.
That has kept the job safe.
Yep.
All these have no playoffsuccess for the Steelers.

(05:32):
And I think Aaron Rogers, we'veseen what he has done to the
team the past two years with theJets.
He's going to the Steelers,probably a better culture there
than the New York Jets have.
Yeah.
Admittedly, obviously they firedtheir coach.
Couldn't have been a good coculture at all.
Mike Tomlin, I don't know, I,the vibes are bad in Pittsburgh,
but getting it back to theBengals and the Ravens, I'm

(05:54):
going with the Ravens here onlybecause I'm a big fan of Joe
Burrow and I probably think JoeBurrow and the Bengals do sneak
into the playoffs.
I do think they'll get into thewild this year.
They should have

Jiselle (06:05):
been there last season.

Spencer (06:07):
They really should have.
They shoulda been there.
And it would've been way morefun to watch them in the
playoffs than the PittsburghSteelers and Russell Wilson.
Yes.
But I digress.
The Ravens this year, what theyhave done in the off season they
had one of my favorite offseasons of any team in the NFL.
Mm-hmm.
All they did was get better.
They didn't have any big painfullosses that they didn't take
care of and address.
And this is a team that lastyear, they were excellent.

(06:29):
The year before they wereexcellent.
And Lamar Jackson is one ofthose players.
We see this in other sports too.
Most recently, I feel like wesaw this in the NBA with Jason
Tatum where when they came intothe league they were just so
different and special.
You watch them and yes, they hadstruggles in the playoffs for
years, but you knew they wereeventually gonna get one.
And I really think this could bethe year that Lamar Jackson gets

(06:52):
his won.
It might be only one, but I dothink this is Lamar Jackson in
the Baltimore Ravens years.
I think they should win not onlythe A FC North.
I think they're going to end upbeing my pick to come out of the
A FC and represent thatconference in the Super Bowl.
James, Giselle, what are wethinking for our picks in the

(07:12):
division?

James (07:13):
I think we might be three for three on this one.
I'm going Ravens, I'm gonna goBengals at 10 and seven Steelers
and then Browns.
But for real, the seriousquestion is over, over under
who?
Who, who's getting more Brownswins or quarterbacks played by
the Browns.
That's gonna be the question Iwant to know.

Spencer (07:34):
That is a great question And we almost neglected
talking about those ClevelandBrowns'cause they're just so
irrelevant.
But let's list them out hereguys.
We got Joe Flaco, we've gotKenny Pickett, we've got third
round pick.
Dylan Gabriel.
We've got fifth round pick.
Shado Sanders, they signed SnoopHuntley.
There's one I'm forgetting.
There's one I'm forgetting.

(07:55):
Girl.
There's six and I can't rememberthe sixth one.
James, help me out.
Gimme Deshaun Predator Watson.
Oh, that's right.
Ah, he who shall not be named,of course I forgot about him.

Jiselle (08:06):
He should not be named.
Exactly.

Spencer (08:07):
Amazing.
He's still under contract withthat team.
I can't believe they haven'tbeen able to get outta that
waste

Jiselle (08:11):
of money.

Spencer (08:12):
Huge waste of money.
Gisele, how do you see thisdivision shaking out

Jiselle (08:16):
exactly what James said.

Spencer (08:19):
You got Ravens Bengals, Steelers, Browns.

Jiselle (08:22):
I do.
I would say Bengals, but I feelthat's me knocking on wood.
I feel that this is Lamar'schance to get his one chip this
upcoming season.
Yes.

Spencer (08:37):
Ah, I'm in agreement.
But y'all let us know in thecomments who you got winning the
A FC North this season.
You got the Ravens like us or doyou have someone else?
Let us know in the commentsbelow.