Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor called the AFC North the best division in football. The AFC North was the only division in the NFL that had three teams with at least 11 wins. Those three teams -- the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens – all made the playoffs this year.
Appropriately, the three clubs are represented strongly in this year’s edition of The Enquirer’s All-AFC North Team. However, four Bengals made the all-division team.
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The Enquirer selected 12 players on offense, 12 players on defense and five special teamers.
Here’s The Enquirer’s All-AFC North Team:
Offense
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
Jackson became the first quarterback in NFL history with consecutive 1,000-rushing-yard seasons, and he’s the fastest QB to achieve 30 wins.
The reigning NFL MVP started this year slow, by his standards, but ended the regular season with the highest passer rating in the division (99.3). Jackson amassed 2,757 passing yards and 1,005 rushing yards in his third year in Baltimore.
Browns running back Nick Chubb
Despite missing four games due to a knee injury, Chubb had an AFC North-leading 1,067 rushing yards. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry, which was the second most by any running back this season.
Chubb had 34 runs of 10-plus yards. The Browns running back earned his second Pro Bowl nod for his efforts.
Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard
It’s no coincidence that the best rushing attack in the NFL utilizes the fullback position, and the Ravens have one of the best blocking fullbacks in the league.
Ricard played 277 snaps from the fullback position. Pro Football Focus gave the Pro Bowler the highest fullback run blocking grade (81.9) this season.
Ravens left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
Brown moved from right tackle to left tackle after Ronnie Stanley's season-ending ankle injury in November. Stanley is one of the best left tackles in the NFL, but Brown filled in admirably. He didn’t allow a sack after moving over to the left side in Week 8 and help Baltimore earn the league’s best rushing attack.
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The Ravens tackle was named a Pro Bowler for the second-straight year.
Browns left guard Joel Bitonio
Bitonio earned second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the third year in a row. He allowed one sack and 17 pressures from the guard spot in 2020. Pro Football Focus gave him the second highest grade (84.6) among all AFC North guards this year.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey
Pouncey’s been one of the best centers in all of football since he entered the league in 2010. The veteran centered earned his ninth Pro Bowl nod this season. He allowed one sack and 16 pressures in 13 games.
Browns right guard Wyatt Teller
Teller was arguably the best guard in the AFC North this season. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest grade (92.9) among NFL guards in 2020.
The 6-foot-4 interior lineman was named a second-team All-Pro this season and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
Browns right tackle Jack Conklin
The Browns signed Conklin in free agency and he immediately made an impact on the team’s O-line. He played in more than 1,000 snaps at right tackle in Cleveland this season and gave up just two sacks and 15 pressures.
Conklin was named a first-team All-Pro this year.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews
Andrews led all AFC North tight ends in catches (58), receiving yards (701) and touchdowns (7). He’s the consensus best tight end in the division.
The Ravens tight end along with wide receiver Marquise Brown are Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets.
Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster
Smith-Schuster didn’t have a 100-yard receiving game this season, but he was Ben Roethlisberger’s go-to target. He led Pittsburgh with 97 catches. His 97 grabs were also an AFC North high.
Smith-Schuster caught 75.8% of the passes thrown his way.
Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown
The second-year receiver had career highs across the board. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson dials up Brown or tight end Mark Andrews when the Ravens need a big play through the air. Brown produced 58 catches, 769 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this year. A total of 35 catches for Brown went for first downs.
Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd
Boyd quickly developed chemistry with rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincinnati’s go-to receiver led the team in catches and targets.
Boyd had 15 first down catches on third down, which was tied for ninth in the NFL. He tallied 79 catches, 841 receiving yard and four touchdowns this season.
The Enquirer will reveal the All-AFC North defenders and special teamers on Friday.
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