Are things shifting in the AFC North?
The Steelers seem to have been dropping precipitously in the media's eye over the past season or two with the emergence of Lamar Jackson and the Baker Mayfield-Kevin Stefanski combo in Cleveland.
Those are the two other heavy-hitters, but one NFL analyst is giving the fourth-team Bengals some love.
As mentioned, it's one thing to hear fans and analysts alike debate on the perceived power shift of the division among the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns, but it appears the Bengals are starting to grab their share of the limelight, as well.
And according to CBS Sports analyst Adam Schein, the Bengals will be surprising people in 2021.
In fact, Schein doesn't just state that the Steelers are worse than the Bengals; he heralds second-year Joe Burrow and throws Ben Roethlisberger under the bus — at least in so many words.
"I'm telling you right now: The Bengals are going to surprise some people… Cincinnati can win more games than the Pittsburgh Steelers because they have a better quarterback."
Schein made his sentiments crystal clear, and he's bullish on a team that just picked in the top five in last month's draft and has a sophomore quarterback recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.
Though, Burrow is well on his way to a complete recovery and has recently gotten the green light for a Week 1 return.
Regardless, Schein said what he said.
Now all that's left is to let the dominoes fall and see what really unfolds in the AFC North this year.
The rubber'll meet the road in Week 3 (September 26) when the Steelers and Bengals have their first bout.