The World Of Sports Viewed Through The Eyes Of A Yankees And Red Sox Fan

Saturday, August 13, 2011

AFC North Preview and Predictions


By: Mike Wagenman

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are seemingly a staple in the AFC playoff picture year after year, but since their Super Bowl victory over the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, Baltimore cannot seem to get over the hump en route to another championship. The Ravens are known for their stingy, hard hitting defense and efficient, but not extremely explosive offense. This year may be a bit different. The Ravens defense is still going to be one of the league's best, but the departure of starting safety Dawan Landry and cornerback Fabian Washington could prove to be huge losses. Defensive leaders Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are a bit up there in age, but still can make a big difference for Baltimore. The offense will become more explosive than in recent years. Joe Flacco is another year older, wiser, and more experienced, and he has some proven weapons. Anquan Boldin, Lee Evans, and rookie Torrey Smith are Flacco's main targets and are three players who are electric and quick. The signing of running back Ricky Williams gives the Ravens a great change up back to spell Ray Rice. Throw in the 31st toughest schedule in the NFL (second easiest), and Baltimore will once again earn a spot in the AFC playoffs, as the AFC North champion.

Season Prediction: 12-4, 1st Place AFC North.
Leading Passer: Joe Flacco
Leading Rusher: Ray Rice
Leading Receiver: Anquan Boldin
Defensive Standout: Terrell Suggs (LB)
Other/Surprise Standout: Ed Dickson (TE)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh is another team that seems to be in the AFC playoffs every season, along with Baltimore. These two teams create the Red Sox and Yankees of the NFL, as one always wins the division, and the other claims a wild card birth. The Steelers are known for their brick wall defense, but it is now the oldest defensive unit in the NFL. That age could provide the difference in an overtime game or a late season game, but they will still be skilled enough to shut down many of the league's great offenses. As long as safety Troy Polamalu is on the field, the Steelers have the upper hand. Pittsburgh's offensive skill players are poised to put up a lot of points. Two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has Rashard Mendenhall, who ran for 1,273 yards a year ago, and two of the fastest receivers in football in Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Roethlisberger also has his two favorite target in Hines Ward and Heath Miller back, and a new veteran wideout, Jerricho Cotchery. The only concern for Pittsburgh is their offensive line. It was a problem last season, and they must do everything they can to protect Roethlisberger. The Steelers are the defending AFC champion, and will get the opportunity to repeat as they will make the playoffs again as a Wild Card.

Season Prediction: 11-5, 2nd Place AFC North.
Leading Passer: Ben Roethlisberger
Leading Rusher: Rashard Mendenhall
Leading Receiver: Mike Wallace
Defensive Standout: Troy Polamalu (SS)
Other/Surprise Standout: Antonio Brown (WR)

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are coming off a 5-11 season, and to the naked eye, that may seem very disappointing. However, the 2010 Browns season was actually very encouraging and points to a bright future in Cleveland. The Browns hung around with the big boys in most of their games, beating New England and New Orleans, and forcing the Jets into overtime before losing with no time on the clock. Colt McCoy, emerged as a true NFL quarterback, and although his numbers may not be incredibly impressive, he showed poise and awareness in the pocket. Peyton Hillis took the league by storm and quickly became a number one running back and a fan favorite, as evidence by the fans voting him to the cover of Madden 12. And the league's best X-Factor Joshua Cribbs can break a huge gain in the blink of an eye on any given play. Cleveland's defense wasn't its usual swiss cheese self, as defensive backs Joe Haden and T.J. Ward emerged as players that quarterbacks must be wary of. The Browns have a very tough schedule, playing Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice each, and visiting Indianapolis. They also have three upstart teams in Seattle, Jacksonville, and Houston on their schedule. The Browns do not have much of a shot at the postseason, but they do have the incentive to perform at a high level to keep their jobs under President Mike Holmgren, who has promised radical change and improvement.

Season Prediction: 5-11, 3rd Place AFC North.
Leading Passer: Colt McCoy
Leading Rusher: Peyton Hillis
Leading Receiver: Mohamed Massaquoi
Defensive Standout: Joe Haden (CB)
Other/Surprise Standout: Joshua Cribbs (WR/KR)

Cincinnati Bengals

It pains me to write about the Bengals. This season will be a mess inside Paul Brown Stadium. Quarterback Carson Palmer refuses to play for Cincinnati, and has threatened retirement. Running back Cedric Benson had yet another run-in with the law. Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, Cincy's two leading receivers from a year ago, are no longer on the team. Finally, their defense is terrible, and it will only get worse after the loss of Jonathan Joseph, one of the league's best lockdown cornerbacks. Andy Dalton or Bruce Gradkowski, whoever wins the quarterback job, will be at the helm and will have to stand behind an offensive line that would have trouble blocking the Cincinnati Bearcats defensive line. Their receivers are young, and aside from A.J. Green, all seem to be slot receivers at best. Cedric Benson has been fantastic for the Bengals, however, and if he can stay consistent, he may help the development of Dalton. Nate Clements is the number one corner on the defense and Manny Lawson was signed during the offseason, two capable defensive players but not enough to stop very many offenses. The Bengals will have a poor season, and have zero chance of making the playoffs. Hopefully for them, Green and Dalton can emerge as stars.

Season Prediction: 3-13, 4th Place AFC North.
Leading Passer: Andy Dalton
Leading Rusher: Cedric Benson
Leading Receiver: A.J. Green
Defensive Standout: Manny Lawson (LB)
Other/Surprise Standout: Jermaine Gresham (TE)


No comments:

Post a Comment