Honestly, if you're looking for a polite, high-scoring game of catch, you've come to the wrong neighborhood. The AFC North isn't just a collection of four football teams; it’s a meat grinder. It's the only division in the NFL where it feels like 1974 every Sunday, even if the calendar says 2026.
The short answer for those just wanting the names: The Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Cleveland Browns are the four teams that make up the AFC North.
But just knowing the names is like saying you know a hurricane because you read its name in a weather report. To understand who is in the AFC North, you have to understand the shared DNA and the sheer, unadulterated hatred these teams have for one another. Three of these franchises—the Browns, Ravens, and Bengals—all stem from the same family tree, specifically the legendary Paul Brown and the chaotic move of the "original" Browns to Baltimore in the 90s. The Steelers are the outsiders who have been there since the beginning, acting as the final boss everyone has to beat.
The current landscape: Who is in the AFC North right now?
Right now, the division is in a weird, fascinating state of flux. As we sit here in early 2026, the dust is still settling on a season where the Pittsburgh Steelers clawed their way to another division title. They finished 10-7, which is the most "Mike Tomlin" stat ever recorded. But there's a massive cloud over the Steel City. For the first time in nearly twenty years, the Steelers are looking for a new head coach after Tomlin’s legendary run finally came to an end.
Then you have the Baltimore Ravens. They’ve been the most consistent threat in the division for a long time, usually led by Lamar Jackson doing things that don't seem physically possible for a human being. But they’re also in transition. They just moved on from John Harbaugh and are currently staring at a massive contract situation with Lamar that could eat up a quarter of their salary cap.
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The Cincinnati Bengals are the "finesse" team that still somehow learned how to punch. With Joe Burrow under center, they are always a Super Bowl threat, though 2025 was a bit of a letdown with a 6-11 finish. They’re currently eyeing the 10th pick in the draft, trying to rebuild a defense that looked a little leaky last year.
And the Cleveland Browns. Man, the Browns. They finished 5-12 last year and are basically hitting the reset button—again. They have two first-round picks this year (No. 6 and No. 24) and are looking for a new head coach to try and finally bring some stability to a franchise that has had everything but.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Gold Standard
The Steelers are the oldest team in the division and, frankly, the most successful. They’ve won the AFC North (and its predecessor, the AFC Central) a staggering 25 times. Their identity is "Steel Curtain" defense and a bruising run game. Even in years when they don't have a franchise quarterback—like the recent revolving door of veterans and youngsters—they somehow find a way to finish with a winning record.
Baltimore Ravens: The New Rivals
The Ravens didn't exist until 1996, when Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore. Since then, they've been the Steelers' primary rival. It's a rivalry built on respect and broken ribs. If you like defense and complex blitz schemes, the Ravens are your team. They’ve won the division 8 times since the 2002 realignment, and they usually do it with a terrifying defense and a unique, run-heavy offense.
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Cincinnati Bengals: The High-Flyers
For years, the Bengals were the "Bungles," but Joe Burrow changed that narrative overnight. They represent the modern NFL's explosive potential. When they're healthy, they can outscore anyone. They’ve won the division 4 times since 2002, including back-to-back titles in '21 and '22. They play in "The Jungle," and when Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are clicking, it's the loudest place in the division.
Cleveland Browns: The Resurrection
The Browns are the heartbreak kings. After the original team left for Baltimore, Cleveland got an expansion team in 1999 that kept the Browns' name and colors. It’s been a long, hard road back to relevance. They haven't won the AFC North title since the division was formed in 2002, but they've had flashes of brilliance, like their playoff run a few years ago. They’re currently looking at prospects like Carnell Tate to finally give their offense some consistent teeth.
Why the AFC North is "Different"
If you ask any NFL player which division they’d least like to play in, most will say the North. It’s the weather. It’s the grass fields. It’s the fact that every game feels like a rivalry game.
Look at the coaching changes happening right now in 2026. The Steelers, Ravens, and Browns are all looking for new leadership. That’s insane. It’s a total power vacuum. In most divisions, that would mean a "down year." In the AFC North, it just means the games are going to be even more unpredictable and violent.
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- Physicality: You can't win this division with a "soft" roster. You need big linemen who can play in the snow.
- The Quarterbacks: You have Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. Two of the best to ever do it, playing in the same four-team group.
- The History: These teams don't just want to win; they want to ruin each other's seasons.
Actionable insights for fans and bettors
If you're following who is in the AFC North because you're looking to place a bet or just want to be the smartest person at the sports bar, keep these things in mind for the 2026 season.
First, watch the coaching hires. The Steelers and Ravens have had legendary stability for two decades. Whoever they hire will dictate the next ten years of this division. If the Steelers go with a defensive-minded coach, expect more of the same. if they go for an offensive guru, the whole identity of the AFC North could shift.
Second, keep an eye on the Browns' draft. Picking at 6 and 24 gives them a chance to fix their offensive line and receiving corps in one night. If they hit on those, they won't be in the basement for long.
Third, the Bengals are the value play. They had a "bad" 2025, but Burrow is still Burrow. If they can snag a guy like Caleb Downs or a top-tier safety in the draft, their defense might finally catch up to their offense.
The AFC North is a grind. It’s cold, it’s loud, and it’s usually decided by a field goal in the final two minutes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Black and Gold or you’re rooting for the Browns to finally have their year, there’s no denying that this is the most compelling four-team race in professional sports.
To stay ahead of the curve, start tracking the "futures" markets for division winners now, before the coaching vacancies are filled. The odds will shift the moment a big name signs on the dotted line in Pittsburgh or Baltimore. Pay attention to the compensatory pick announcements and the final salary cap numbers for the Ravens—that Jackson contract restructure is going to be the biggest domino of the offseason.