CINCINNATI — Anytime there’s a debate about the NFL’s toughest division, teams in the AFC North are quick to point out the playoff appearances.

Yep. Nobody can top them.

The AFC North has sent more teams to the playoffs than any other division in the last seven years — 15 in all. Last season, the Steelers won the division at 11-5, and Cincinnati (10-5-1) and Baltimore (10-6) got wild cards.

And that’s pretty much the norm.

During the last seven years, the North has sent at least two teams to the playoffs six times. It got three teams into the postseason in 2011 and again last season. For overall excellence, it’s tough to argue with those figures.

“You see the difference when we play other teams in other divisions,” Bengals receiver Marvin Jones said. “It’s definitely not as hard as our division and the games we play. When you play outside our division, you see how much easier it is to have some success.”

There are some notable changes this time around, especially in Pittsburgh, where defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and safety Troy Polamalu are gone, and Michael Vick is in town as a backup quarterback.

Here’s a look at the AFC North:

Another three-peat?

The division got three teams into the playoffs last season in part because of the scheduling rotation. It played the NFC South, which was one of the worst divisions in NFL history; no team had a winning record. It also got to play the AFC South with Jacksonville (3-13) and Tennessee (2-14).

Curtains for the defense

LeBeau, Polamalu, cornerback Ike Taylor and end Brett Keisel are gone from a defense that slipped last season. The offense finished No. 2 in the league and should be one of its best again, even with center Maurkice Pouncey sidelined by a broken ankle. Vick was brought in as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup after Bruce Gradkowski suffered a hand injury. Receiver Antonio Brown is an All-Pro.

But in Pittsburgh, it comes down to defense.

Ranking the division

Ravens, Steelers, Bengals, Browns.