Thursday 16 February 2017 17:15, UK
On the one hand, the AFC North was represented in the AFC Championship game.
On the other, one of these teams laboured to just one win all season, narrowly avoiding the dreaded win-less season.
Sky Sports has assessed each team on their 2016 endeavours, and given each side a grade for the year. Agree with our marking? Or feel like your team deserved better/worse? Let us know on Twitter, @SkySportsNFL.
Season in a tweet: A tale of three seasons. Poor start, then an excellent fightback, led by Big Ben. But a disappointing end, when it mattered most.
MVP: Le'veon Bell is a different class of running back. Able to run, catch, wait and ultimately, punish teams, head coach Mike Tomlin ended up relying more and more on Bell, and perhaps neglecting WR Antonio Brown.
Under the radar: The Steelers are looking to get back to the hard nosed defence they were famed for. Linebacker Ryan Shazier has been a leader in that transformation, with four interceptions, nine deflected passes and over 90 tackles, as the Steelers made it all the way to the AFC Championship.
Must do better: Having played alongside Shazier, Jarvis Jones may not get another chance to impress Steelers fans. After being selected as their top pick in 2013, Jones has struggled to hold down a starting spot and could find himself searching for a new team next month.
Draft needs: Pittsburgh may look to take advantage of the pass rushing talent in the draft, and a premier defensive end would not go amiss.
2016 Grade: B
Season in a tweet: 2016 was Baltimore's chance to dominate, but inconsistency cost the Ravens their first division title since they won the Super Bowl four years ago.
MVP: Steve Smith rolled back the years with a five touchdown, 799-yard season. The Ravens will now have to learn to live without the 37-year old after he announced his retirement.
Under the radar: Kicker Justin Tucker was selected as an All-Pro after a season in which he made 38 of 39 field-goal attempts. Tucker tied an NFL record for ten, 50+ yard FGs, and became the most accurate kicker in NFL history. He even received a vote for regular season MVP!
Must do better: After two great seasons, in which linebacker Elvis Dumervil racked up 26.5 sacks, Ravens fans must have thought they had hit the jackpot. Now, however, Dumervil is blighted by injury and carries an $8M cap-hit that could be better invested elsewhere.
Draft needs: With the departure of Smith, Baltimore need to invest in an elite wide receiver, to improve the options for quarterback Joe Flacco.
2016 Grade: C-
Season in a tweet: Last year the Bengals raised expectations, but fell well short in 2016. Andy Dalton struggled, and they missed dynamic tight end Tyler Eifert.
MVP: A.J. Green was one of the leading wide receivers going into week 11. However, a hamstring injury halted his career-year, and any chance of a post-season berth for the Bengals.
Under the radar: One of Green's favourite players is left tackle Andrew Whitworth. The 35-year old is a free-agent next month, but after starting every game, and recording six games with perfect pass-protection (according to Pro Football Focus), Whitworth would be a valuable veteran to re-sign.
Must do better: For much of the season, Cincinnati were in the bottom three for sacks allowed. Right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi struggled in his second season, and was eventually replaced by Eric Winston. He will get another chance to prove himself, but must take it in training camp and the pre-season.
Draft needs: Cincinnati have an ageing defence, and could do with investing in their pass-rush, early. A defensive end or linebacker will help to improve things for Marvin Lewis' side.
2016 Grade: D
Season in a tweet: The organisation had low expectations, but the Browns still managed to underachieve. The team celebrated their solitary win over San Diego as if they had won the Super Bowl.
MVP: Joe Thomas was the Browns' only Pro-Bowl representation. After a veteran clean out, Thomas was a leader on the pitch for the organisation, and will be key to their rebuild.
Under the radar: Midway through the season, head coach Hue Jackson said no player was safe from being cut, save for wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. The veteran had over 1,000 yards as a wide receiver, while also deputising at running back, quarterback and safety for the depleted Browns.
Must do better: Robert Griffin III won the starting QB job but was placed on injured reserve after week 1. He came back, but struggled in the system, and will face a battle to be starter in 2017.
Draft needs: Cleveland have the draft's opening pick, and there is huge pressure to use it wisely. A franchise quarterback wouldn't be a bad place to start.
Grade: F
