USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently sit as the 5th seed in the AFC playoff picture but are very much so in the hunt for the AFC North - and are being hunted by others close behind in the playoff race.

One of those teams looking to climb back atop Pittsburgh in the rankings is the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers' rivals sit as the 6th seed in the AFC, with another divisional team, the Baltimore Ravens, riding high as the top seed in the conference. 

Former Steelers defender Joe Haden believes this is the year for the AFC North and has a bold prediction that not one, not two, but three teams from the division will make the postseason this year. 

"With my heart, it would be the Browns. With my brain, it'll be the Steelers because of Coach [Mike] Tomlin," Haden said during an appearance on Up & Adams. "I can't root against them. I can't go against them. He's my favorite coach I've ever had in my life. His coaching style is amazing. ... But I think both of them are going to make the playoffs, honestly." 

The Browns are about to start their fourth quarterback this season as Joe Flacco is set to make his Cleveland debut in Week 13. Still, with one of the best defenses in the league led by Myles Garret, who's competing with T.J. Watt for Defensive Player of the Year, they're believed to be a competitor for the playoffs. 

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is looking to try to turn newfound offensive success into a run late in the season, hopefully carrying them to the top of the AFC North. 

Both teams are contenders for both the AFC North and AFC's top seed. And if Haden is correct, the postseason will feature three teams from the conference's top division. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
MLB announces punishment for Astros' Ronel Blanco over foreign substance
Athletics place lefty on 15-day IL, transfer infielder to 60-day
Rafael Nadal switches gears, gives major update on French Open status
Atlanta to be first race of NASCAR's In-Season Tournament
West Point alum made history in his MLB debut with Reds
Heat legend cautions Lakers against hiring JJ Redick
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN