With the 2025 NFL season drawing closer, win total projections have become a hot topic of conversation — and few divisions draw more debate than the ever-competitive AFC North. On a recent episode of The Facility, analysts Emmanuel Acho, James Jones, and Chase Daniel offered bold predictions that may raise eyebrows across the league. Their consensus? The Baltimore Ravens are set to exceed expectations, the Cincinnati Bengals are poised for a letdown, and the Cleveland Browns may turn heads with a surprisingly solid season.
Let’s break down the numbers and the reasoning behind each pick.
Baltimore Ravens: Over 11.5 Wins
All three analysts were unanimous in their confidence that the Ravens will surpass the projected 11.5-win mark. It’s easy to see why. Baltimore returns with one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, led by MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, a tenacious defense, and one of the league’s top coaching staffs under John Harbaugh.
The Ravens stormed through the 2024 season with dominant performances against elite teams and nearly reached the Super Bowl. With the continuity of their offensive and defensive schemes and the return of key playmakers like Zay Flowers, Roquan Smith, and Mark Andrews, this squad looks every bit like a contender again.
Emmanuel Acho praised the Ravens’ physicality and depth, noting that they are “built for the long haul of a 17-game season.” Chase Daniel highlighted their ability to control the pace of games through their run game and opportunistic defense, while James Jones simply stated, “They don’t beat themselves.”
If Baltimore avoids major injuries, hitting 12 or more wins seems not only possible but likely.
Cincinnati Bengals: Under 9.5 Wins
On the flip side, the panel showed much less faith in the Cincinnati Bengals’ ability to bounce back after a rocky 2024 campaign. Despite the return of Joe Burrow from injury and a talented offensive core including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the analysts believe the Bengals will fall short of 9.5 wins.
One major factor behind the skepticism? Consistency — or rather, a lack thereof. Cincinnati’s slow starts under head coach Zac Taylor and questions about their revamped offensive line were recurring themes in the discussion. While the Bengals have shown flashes of brilliance in recent years, last season’s struggles revealed vulnerabilities on both sides of the ball, particularly against divisional opponents.
Acho noted that the AFC North is “no longer a two-team race,” suggesting that both the Browns and Steelers could give the Bengals more trouble than in years past. Add a difficult schedule and internal pressure to perform, and it’s easy to see how Cincinnati could finish below the 10-win mark.
Cleveland Browns: Over 4.5 Wins
Perhaps the most surprising prediction was the panel’s optimism about the Cleveland Browns. With a projected win total of just 4.5, the analysts believe that number is far too low for a team with this much defensive talent and offensive potential.
James Jones emphasized the Browns’ “elite front seven,” while Chase Daniel highlighted the possible upside if the quarterback situation stabilizes. With Myles Garrett anchoring the defense and playmakers like Amari Cooper and Nick Chubb (if healthy), Cleveland has the tools to cause problems — especially in the AFC North.
The panel agreed that five or more wins should be well within reach, even if the Browns don’t make a full playoff push. A few breaks in their favor could turn a forgettable season into a surprisingly competitive one.
Final Thoughts
The AFC North remains one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, but these bold win total predictions reveal just how differently each team is viewed going into the 2025 season. The Ravens appear ready to soar, the Bengals face a prove-it year, and the Browns might just surprise everyone. As always, time — and performance — will tell.