The Ravens enter the 2025 season hoping to become the first franchise to win the AFC North three consecutive years. Here are three questions entering Week 1 for Baltimore's divisional rivals:
Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers Seeks a Fresh Start vs. Former Team
Steelers @ Jets, Sunday at 1 p.m.
Can Aaron Rodgers rejuvenate his career at age 41?
Rodgers will make his Steelers debut against the Jets, the team he spent the past two seasons playing for. It didn't go well for Rodgers in New York, but he remains one of the league’s most intriguing figures as he tries to rejuvenate his career in a Pittsburgh uniform. As the NFL's oldest starting quarterback, Rodgers must prove he can stay healthy and still perform at a high level.
Will new big names make a big difference?
Wide receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Jonnu Smith, and defensive backs Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay are among the other new faces joining Rodgers in Pittsburgh. Week 1 will be the first time Pittsburgh's new parts will work together in a game situation. It will be interesting to see how different the new-look Steelers really look.
Can this group of Steelers unlock the key to postseason success?
Head Coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years, but he hasn't enjoyed a playoff victory since 2016. There's pressure on Tomlin and Rodgers to make their marriage work, and their opening test will come against the Jets, led by former Pittsburgh quarterback Justin Fields.
Cincinnati Bengals: Avoiding a Slow September Is a Top Priority
Bengals @ Browns, Sunday at 1 p.m.
Will another sluggish start be avoided?
During Head Coach Zac Taylor's first six seasons, the Bengals are 7-14-1 in September and have avoided starting 0-2 just once.
Looking to change that, the Bengals gave their starters more preseason reps and did not participate in joint practices during training camp. Three of Cincinnati's first four games are on the road – at Cleveland (Week 1), at Minnesota (Week 3), and at Denver (Week 4), with the home opener against Jacksonville in Week 2. Firing on all cylinders out of the gate would increase the Bengals' chances to contend in the AFC North.
Is the Bengals' defense improved?
New Defensive Coordinator Al Golden has implemented changes but kept his schemes vanilla during the preseason. Pass rushers Trey Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart missed significant time before reaching contract agreements, so it remains to be seen if that will impact their play.
Cincinnati tied for 25th in points allowed in 2024 (25.5 per game) and no team that allowed more than 23 points per game made the playoffs. The Bengals know they can score, but whether they can stop opponents in clutch situations may determine their fate.
Can the offensive line protect Joe Burrow well enough?
Joe Burrow led the league in passing yards in 2024, but only three quarterbacks were sacked more often.
The Bengals signed veteran left guard Dalton Risner last week, and as of Monday, they had not officially named a starting right guard between Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick. Cincinnati needs its offensive line to gel to keep Burrow healthy and protected.
Cleveland Browns: Counting on Joe Flacco to Flourish As the Starter
Will Flacco start hot?
Joe Flacco is beginning his 17th NFL season and his second tenure with the Browns. Most of the preseason attention was focused on Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, the two rookie quarterbacks behind Flacco. But the Browns are counting on Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP quarterback with the Ravens, to start the season on the right foot. How Flacco performs in the opener and during his return to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 2 against the Ravens will help determine how long he remains in a starting role.
Does the Browns' rushing attack have enough punch?
Jerome Ford, a three-year veteran who averaged 5.4 yards per carry on 104 attempts last season, will open the season as the No. 1 tailback. The Week 1 status of second-round pick Quinshon Judkins is up in the air, as he was recently cleared of misdemeanor battery charges and has yet to sign his rookie contract. If Ford flourishes in that role, it will take pressure off Flacco to carry the offense. If the running game flounders, so could the Browns' offense.
Can Cleveland's defense get back to being elite?
The Browns have a talented defensive unit led by former Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward. The Browns' defense ranked 19th overall in 2024 after being ranked No. 1 in 2023. If the defense returns to being one of the NFL's best, the Browns could exceed the expectations of most pundits.
