Week 16 AFC North predictions: Browns inch closer to stealing division

The Bengals and Steelers are officially out of contention to win the AFC North, but the Browns still have a chance to surpass the Ravens and they'll get even closer this week. Here are our predictions for Week 16.

Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7): The Bengals ruled out star WR Ja'Marr Chase for at least this week's divisional tilt after having an MRI on his separated shoulder. It's certainly a blow to Cincinnati's pass attack but it still shouldn't matter against the Steelers, who have allowed 25 points per game on their three-game losing streak.

QB Jake Browning has also been playing lights out, becoming the first quarterback since the NFL began tracking quarterback starts in 1950 to have 1,000+ passing yards and complete over 75 percent of his passes in his first four starts.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's problems seem to only be getting worse. QB Mason Rudolph was named the starter after Mitchell Trubisky was benched in the fourth quarter of last week's loss. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he would "leave the door ajar" for QB Kenny Pickett, who is recovering from ankle surgery. But Pickett can't solve all the offensive woes anyway. 

Safety Damontae Kazee was also suspended for the rest of the season, leaving the team without its top three safeties as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal are still dealing with injuries of their own. 

PREDICTION: Bengals, 21-17

Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Houston Texans (8-6): The Browns are currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture, but they have a real shot to take the division by season's end as they are just two games behind the Ravens. Their comeback continues this week when play the Texans, who will likely be without rookie QB C.J. Stroud. If that is the case, Cleveland's defense, which is allowing the least total yards per game (261.1), should feast on QB Case Keenum and company.

QB Joe Flacco also has the offense humming, completing 77-of-133 for 939 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions over the past three weeks. He has proven to give the Browns the best chance to win with their loaded roster and that will remain true this week.

PREDICTION: Browns, 24-13

Baltimore Ravens (11-3) at San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Finally, the matchup everyone's been waiting for. This could certainly be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII as both teams sit atop their respective conferences and it should live up to all the hype.

The Ravens boast the league's best rushing attack (163.8 yards per game) and are allowing the least points per game (16.1). The 49ers have the second-best offense in the NFL in terms of total yards per game (402.6) and are allowing the second least points per game (16.7).

This one could end up being a shootout or a defensive battle. Either way, get your popcorn ready as quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy look to cement their cases for MVP. The edge goes to the home team in this one, however.

PREDICTION: 49ers, 23-20