When the 2023 NFL offseason finally stopped spinning, the talent balance between the AFC and the NFC seemed to be stark. Most would identify just two Super Bowl contenders from the NFC (Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers) but a myriad of AFC contenders made that same list.
For the Cleveland Browns, being good was assumed to not be good enough given the depth of the AFC North and the conference as a whole.
It would be quicker, but less informative, to list the AFC teams that were not identified as realistic playoff contenders before the start of the season.