Friday 19 February 2016 18:01, UK
Cincinnati Bengals topped the AFC North only to be pipped in the play-offs but divisional rivals Pittsburgh Steelers. Here's our ratings for the division.
It was more of the same from the Bengals which, for the vast majority of the 2015 season, was extremely impressive. But they couldn't lift their postseason curse - they haven't won a single play-off game in 25 years - and unfortunately that unwanted record will define their year.
They lost to Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round to bring the curtain down on their campaign, a pill that was even harder to swallow given the Bengals had won a regular season game against the Steelers. That victory had taken them to 7-0, a franchise-best start to a season, as they romped clear at the top of the AFC North.
Their appearance in the play-offs was expected and was a franchise-best fifth in a row. But they wilted in the Wild Card round against Pittsburgh, failing to make their lead count and eventually going down 18-16 after a fumble from Jeremy Hill.
Star player: Like the Patriots' Rob Gronkowski before him, Cincy's Tyler Eifert has emerged as a modern era tight end who is redefining the position and becoming a frequent touchdown threat. He scored 11 in 2015.
Grade: C. It was all looking so good for the Bengals who were on course for at least a B after storming to the top of the AFC North. But that's no good if you don't do the serious work.
Ultimately their season was ended in the play-offs by the Denver Broncos, who went on to win Super Bowl, so there's no shame in that. Who knows if they would have gone further had star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered less through injury?
Roethlisberger's frequent fitness concerns were an underlying limitation on the Steelers season - on paper, there are few better combinations than 'Big Ben' throwing to Antonio Brown. In the end, far too much responsibility was placed on Brown.
The Steelers, having sneaked into second-place in the AFC North, deserve great credit for battling through the Wild Card round with Roethlisberger and Brown both off the field due to injury. They beat the Bengals in a comeback partly attributed to two generously late foul penalties. At the next hurdle, they fell foul of the Broncos' mean defence who prevented the Steelers from scoring any touchdowns.
Star player: A total of 1,834 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns earmarks Antonio Brown as the Steelers' top player, especially considering the emphasis that opposing defences placed on him.
Grade: C+. Having gamely battled so far with a creaking Roethlisberger, the Steelers warrant a C+ but it's a 'must do better' in terms of keeping their top players fit and firing.
An immensely frustrating season has thankfully ended for Baltimore who were widely predicted last summer to challenge for a Super Bowl berth. It must be said, in their defence, that astonishing fitness issues that resulted in 22 names on their 'injured reserve' list played a pivotal role in their underwhelming year.
It was the first time in eight years under head coach Jim Harbaugh that the Ravens endured a losing season. Season-ending injuries to top players Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett were just two of the problems that affected Harbaugh's side. Terrell Suggs played just a few minutes on the opening day before he was ruled out for the whole season and the Ravens duly slipped to 1-6 in seven games.
Their season ended in Week 14 with defeat to Seattle when, to sum up their luck, the Ravens were forced to use third-choice quarterback Jimmy Clausen. A long offseason of rest and rehab is exactly what the doctor will have ordered.
Star player: This should be Flacco, Suggs or Forsett in an ideal season but at least Marshal Yanda, their offensive lineman, stayed healthy for the duration. He has been tied down to a long-term deal which reflects his importance.
Grade: C-. It seems harsh but you can't give the Ravens anything above a C-. The head-scratcher is whether their medical department is doing enough for the players or whether this season should be filed as an anomaly.
Where to begin? The personal problems around Johnny Manziel notwithstanding, 2015 was a nightmare year for the Browns which is best forgotten.
Their record tied with Tennessee for the worst in the entire NFL and cost head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer their jobs in January. Having already finished bottom of the AFC North for four consecutive seasons, expectations were not high but putting in such a dire campaign was unforgivable.
Manziel, who had manageable problems on the field before his personal issues began to outweigh them tenfold, did nothing to help his team but as a 23-year-old quarterback he was never expected to be the lynchpin. New coaching will be in place for next season - the Browns can hardly do any worse.
Star player: This was a tough one to hand out but offensive lineman Joe Thomas has done nothing wrong all year, reaching a ninth consecutive Pro Bowl.
Grade: F. It can only be an F, and we'd be disappointed if Cleveland even queried that.
