The 2026 regular season is officially here, and all four AFC North teams are set to kick things off in the early afternoon window on Sunday. This year promises to be eventful again in the division with more new storylines and fresh faces than ever before in recent memory.
While there are expectations for how the season will shake out for the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, everyone is 0-0 currently and anything is possible. What does Week 1 look like
for the AFC North squads? Let’s run through every game and preview what’s in store.
Cincinnati Bengals
Matchup: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00pm EST
The Bengals commence a pivotal 2026 campaign against a familiar quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and the Buccaneers. Cincinnati is favored to win by just over a field goal and projections are anticipating a high-scoring affair between these two teams. The Bengals have found themselves engaged in a number of offensive shootouts in recent years, so another one of those here is certainly in the cards. The issue for them is that they’ve often come out on the losing end of these tilts, which is why they exhausted a lot of capital on defense this offseason.
All eyes will be on the likes of high-profile newcomers like Dexter Lawrence and Bryan Cook to see how fit in on the Bengals’ defense and how much of an impact they can make right away. This will be a good test in Week 1, as the Buccaneers have a capable scoring offense with playmakers like Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. On the other side of the ball, the Bengals are positioned to start fast with their core of offensive talent returning for another year. The biggest question mark is the health of their star wide receiver duo as both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are nursing injuries heading into this game. The Bengals’ offensive line is another area where hopes are high for significant improvement, particularly in pass blocking.
Under head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals have notably been a slow-starting team to begin the season. While they did go 2-0 last year, both wins were very narrow, and they have a 3-11 overall record in the first two weeks of the season since 2019. Bucking that trend with a strong performance this Sunday would go a long way to setting the tone for the 2026 season.
Baltimore Ravens
Matchup: @ Indianapolis Colts, 1:00pm EST
After an offseason of significant change in Baltimore, this is one of the more anticipated Week 1 contests for the Ravens in recent memory. Jesse Minter’s first regular season game as head coach will see the Ravens travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts, where they are favored by several points on the road. In addition to Minter, the Ravens are rolling out new coordinators and position coaches all around, so how the team gels on both sides of the ball will be the overarching storyline.
If the preseason was any indication, the Ravens should have a top-tier defense under Minter and DC Anthony Weaver. Their first big test will be slowing down All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, who scored 20 total touchdowns with almost 2,000 scrimmage yards in 2025. The Colts’ passing attack, with quarterback Daniel Jones returning from a torn achilles, is less imposing, but they still have multiple capable playmakers. Expect Minter to dial up pass rushes to test Jones’ mobility and force the Colts to beat them through the air.
Lamar Jackson will be facing a defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, who is plenty familiar with him from his years with the Bengals. Expectations are high for Jackson and company after a hype-filled offseason since Declan Doyle became the team’s new offensive playcaller. It’s fair to expect some level of growing pains out of the gate, though, as they incorporate three new starters on the offensive line and a new mix of pass-catchers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Matchup: vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00pm EST
Like the Ravens, this offseason brought about a lot of change for the Steelers, with Mike McCarthy taking over for Mike Tomlin as the team’s new head coach along with three new coordinators. Aaron Rodgers is back for one last NFL season at 42 years old, surrounded by some notable playmakers and offensive lineman. With McCarthy at the helm, expectations for offensive improvement are legitimate, as the veteran coach has a history of leading top-tier offenses — notably for many years in Green Bay with Rodgers as his quarterback.
The Steelers get a favorable matchup to kick off a new era, hosting the Falcons as roughly a three-point favorite. Atlanta hired longtime Cleveland Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski this offseason, who in theory should provide a coaching upgrade for them. With serious question marks at quarterback, though, the Falcons are not expected to compete as a postseason team this season. Tua Tagovailoa will open the season as the team’s starting signal-caller. Expect the Steelers, now coordinated on defense by Patrick Graham, to bring the heat against Tagovailoa and force him to complete throws under pressure on the move.
Bijan Robinson and Drake London are the center of Atlanta’s offensive universe, and thus slowing them down will be top priority for the Steelers. On offense, they should attempt to establish a strong run game with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, to open up opportunities for explosive passing plays against a vulnerable Falcons’ defense.
Cleveland Browns
Matchup: @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00pm EST
The Browns begin the season on the road with a tough afternoon bout against the defending NFC South champions. It was another rollercoaster offseason for the Browns in Todd Monken’s first one as the team’s new head coach. Losing Myles Garrett was obviously a major blow to their defense, and a cloudy quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders did little to inspire confidence for their offense. The Browns are underdogs by more than a touchdown in this matchup.
Watson ultimately won the starting role and will lead the offense in Week 1, but his leash is likely shorter than any other starter in the league. Jacksonville has good defensive talent and will pose a challenge for the Browns in this game. Placing too much pressure on Watson under center is likely a losing recipe and the Browns will need to run the ball effectively with Quinshon Judkins, a talented rising sophomore. The Browns are incorporating multiple new starters along the offensive line and two incoming rookie wide receivers, KC Conception and Denzel Boston, so growing pains are to be expected early on.
While losing Garrett is undoubtedly a huge blow, the Browns still possess good players on defense in every position group. They will need to fluster Trevor Lawrence into turnovers and flip field position to have a chance for an upset. Their secondary will be tested by the Jaguars’ passing attack, which features several high-level playmakers at wide receiver.
