For the first time in a long time, the Pittsburgh Steelers are not near favorites to take home the AFC North crown. In the 2021 NFL season, it is the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns that are expected to duke it out for the division title. A lot of that has to do with the presence of Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield on their respective rosters.
The Browns have never won the AFC North division, last winning a division title in 1989 when they finished atop the AFC Central. The Ravens won the AFC North in 2018 and 2019 before the Steelers took home the division title in 2020.
One factor that will determine who takes home the division crown this year is the quarterback position. The Ravens have former MVP, Lamar Jackson, under center while the Browns have 2018 No. 1 overall pick, Baker Mayfield, under center.
Who is in line for a better season? Let’s take a look at the two signal-callers outlooks for 2021.
Lamar Jackson vs. Baker Mayfield
While we have seen more dual-threat quarterbacks pop up in the NFL in recent seasons, there isn’t one that does it with the effectiveness of Lamar Jackson. He has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark rushing two straight seasons and there is no reason to believe he won’t do it again in 2021.
He is as unique of a quarterback that the league has ever seen, running more frequently than someone such as Cam Newton, but having the blazing speed and athleticism of someone such as Michael Vick.
Baltimore is hoping that he can take the next step in 2021 with his passing game. The Ravens added Rashod Bateman with their first-round pick and signed Sammy Watkins to join Marquise Brown at wide receiver and the talented Mark Andrews at tight end.
Taking a step in his passing game would help elevate the Browns’ offense, much in the way Baker Mayfield did for the Browns in 2020.
Mayfield lost Odell Beckham Jr. to an injury but saw his game take off after that. He helped lead the Browns to a playoff victory over the Steelers and helped give the Kansas City Chiefs a challenge the week after in the Divisional Round.
While Mayfield isn’t the dual-threat that Jackson is, Cleveland is hoping he can carry over the momentum he created at the end of the 2020 season into 2021. Mayfield will play well, but he will be outperformed by Jackson in 2021.
With the added weapons in the passing offense, Jackson’s game will be taken to a different level in 2021. Mayfield isn’t in a position to challenge for an NFL MVP award this season, but his team will have more success.
Cleveland will win its first AFC North division title this season and Mayfield will lead the charge. There are fewer question marks on the Browns’ roster, making up for whatever advantage the Ravens have at the quarterback position with Jackson over Mayfield.
So, the final verdict is that Lamar Jackson will have the better season statistically, but it will be Baker Mayfield winning a division title with the Browns over the Ravens.
