Early AFC North predictions
by Buckeye Brad on Jul 28, 2010 11:11 PM EDT
102 comments
With the news today that the Bengals signed Terrell Owens, I heard many people saying that they were the favorites to win the AFC North this year. But I've also heard a lot of high praise for the Ravens coming in to training camp with the offseason moves they've made and the Steelers are always tough (of course they'll be missing their starting QB for the first month or so). I would assme that most people will be picking the Browns to finish last in the division again, but I was wondering what people here thought about our division coming in to training camp.
Obviously there will be some changes during training camp and the preseason, but as of right now who is your favorite to win the AFC North? How many teams from our division will make the playoffs? And do the Browns have ANY chance of making the playoffs this year? Vote in the poll and post your thoughts below.
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I voted for the Ravens. I like the moves they’ve made to add to their offense and I think Flacco will continue to improve. I think the Bengals will take a step back from next year (and Carson Palmer may never be a great QB again). The Steelers will suffer from the loss of Ben and the distraction he’ll bring when he comes back. But I could still see either one of them making the playoffs as a Wild Card at 9-7.
As for the Browns, I’m hoping for 6 to 8 wins. We’ll finish in 3rd because either the Bengals or Steelers will underperform.
by Buckeye Brad on Jul 28, 2010 11:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
They have a horrible secondary and will get beat by every team in the division deep next year, and with the signing of flozell,Ii have a hard time believing that the steelers are not gonna win the division, not to mention they added two offensive threats in Dwyer and Sanders with the draft. The only thing that makes me wonder about the steelers is who is gonna play next to bryant mcfadden?
Don’t forget their horrifying o-line
by The naome40 on Aug 2, 2010 11:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ike Taylor plays next to bryant Mcfadden, you know the #1 CB for the last 3 years for the Steelers. he’s good just don’t get a lot of picks.
Not having the Starting QB will hurt but Leftwich is a decent back up and the schedule isn’t hard the first 4 games the Bucs and Titans should be bad this year and the Steelers usually win their home opener, so they should be 3-1 when Ben gets back.
the o-line is improving and we’ll see about flozell. I’m skeptical too but injuries happens to everyone needed a replacement.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 5, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Ravens for the same reasons Brad stated.
Bengals won’t make the playoffs because Carson will have a mediocre year and the running game won’t be as good (just a guess).
Steelers won’t because their D is old and they will be missing their QB.
"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz
by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 28, 2010 11:22 PM EDT reply actions
Ravens for me too. They finally have an offense to go along with their defense. I think the season the Bengals had last year was a bit like our 2007, and Pitt has the obvious issue of missing their QB. The wildcard in this is the health of Ed Reed.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
I think Boldin is quite a bit overrated, but the Ravens are the favorite this year. That said, I cannot in good conscience vote for anyone other than the Browns.
by Roger Dorn on Jul 29, 2010 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I am in this school of logic.
For the love of Joe Thomas.....
by North Coast Flea on Jul 29, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree. He is not a legit #1 in my mind (but would be on a lot of mediocre teams) but he doesn’t have to be. they have Mason as a #1, him as a #2, Heap at TE, and Clayton in the slot (plus stallworth in 4WR sets).
I agree with you about the ravens.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
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Mason is old and bad at this point. Clayton? Not good. Heap has had too many injuries. I think their passing game is still in the bottom 10 in the league, but their rush attack is good enough to be a good offense.
I’m hoping the Ravens OC believes he suddenly has an NFL top 5 passing team and screws up the identity of their offense for the first 6-8 games. That ought to give the rest of the division enough time to keep it close and make the end of the season interesting.
What does that MEAN - TO PLAY US OUT?!!?!?
Actually, I believe Cam Cameron did that early last year. Everyone was “Wacko for Flacco” and the team passed a LOT. Either they were scoring too quickly or they would leave the field too fast (I remember they had a shoot out with the Vikings). But both options left their defense winded, as they were normally used to being able to rest while the team controlled the ball. I remember critics saying they needed to go back to “Raven’s Football.”
by BrownDawg1409 on Jul 31, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
mason is old, but is still a solid #1 in this league, though I am not 100% certain he can have 1,000 yard seasons like he did the last 3 years. Clayton is a good receiver for your 3rd receiver, and stallworth as your 4th isn’t terrible. Heap has had a lot of injuries but is still solid, plus they have Ed Dickson and Dennis pitta.
I don’t think it will be elite, but it will be at least average. flacco has been steadily improving and has never had the kinds of options he has now. Last year, he had Mark clayton as his #2, now he has Boldin. Thats definitely an improvement.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
I appreciate Male Beauty
I disagree. I thought he was still a very solid #1 last year…though he isn’t a great deep threat anymore, he can still be a very good first option in the passing game.
Even if you want to say he is a #2, he is a very good #2. they aso have a very good #2 in Boldin…Having 2 Excellent #2s is definitely not a bad thing.
Flacco had a good season with Mark Clayton as a #2 receiver and Todd Heap as their Only Legitimate option in the passing game at TE. Now, his #2 is boldin, and his #3 from last year, kelley washington, will be battling it out with Stallworth just to be the #4 receiver. Also now he has Pitta and Dickson who could step in and be solid options at TE.
We can argue a small point about whether we consider Mason a solid #1 or #2, but it really doesn’t matter that much (its mostly just opinon and perspetive of what makes a ‘number 1’ receiver). The point of this all is that IMO, the ravens might have the bestg options in the passing game. Cincy has TO/Ocho/Bryant, but they have a rookie TE. Heap is a veteran and Rice can catch extremely well out of the backfield. This offense will be dangerous.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
I appreciate Male Beauty
I had to watch Rice tear up my Mountaineers for several years. Ironic that I have to watch him play against my Browns twice a year now. The guy is good, but I hope he tears a tendon early this season.
A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths --- Steven Wright
If he can do it again, I’m pretty sure Maiva’s got the Rice problem covered.
by BrownDawg1409 on Jul 31, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Not sure he is number one but Mason and Hines Ward just torture the Browns. Will be glad when those 2 hang em up.
by realmccoy on Jul 30, 2010 6:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I disagree. I thought he was still a very solid #1 last year…though he isn’t a great deep threat anymore, he can still be a very good first option in the passing game.
Well said. Anyone who thinks Mason can’t get it done anymore is clueless.
I have liked Mason since he was with McNair in Tennessee, but I see him completely falling off one of these years. It might not be this year, but the guy can’t play forever.
I am a lot more concerned with the thought of McDonald trying to tackle Boldin.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
agreed. boldin will give us problems. but i think he’ll give everyone else problems too, which should help mason have a decent year as the second option, not having to carry the load.
Meanwhile, Flacco somehow managed to put up 3600 yards last year.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
He built his yards entirely on checking down to ray rice
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 30, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey, I said “somehow”. Even if your passing attack is “Ray Rice gets 3600 YAC” that’s not bottom 10 in the league.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I got the Ravens, BROWNS, Bengals then steelers in that order. B’more is tough on both sides of the ball and Harbaugh has established himself as a more than serviceable head coach, our beloved Dawgs revisit 2007 with a 10 win campaign, Cincy will implode with all of the “personalities” (if I can employ that euphemism) now on board and those wretched steelers win 6 games.
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Jul 29, 2010 11:15 AM EDT reply actions
From your keyboard to God’s ears. Being too realistic, I held my nose and voted Ravens. I feel dirty.
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Jul 29, 2010 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Cincinnati has too many studs on offense and defense. More than any other team in the division. Shittburgh and Ravens have issues in their secondary, while the bengals have the best CB combo in the league. And with Andre Smith being healthy, picking up Bryant and TO and Gresham gives them more offensive weapons than those two also. So I would rank them Cincy, Ravens, Steelhers, Browns
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 29, 2010 1:53 PM EDT reply actions
this
For the love of Joe Thomas.....
by North Coast Flea on Aug 2, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually might agree with Roc here, I don’t like Cromartie enough to put the Jets 2 over the Bengals 2.
"I spoil a lot of people with my play." -Lebron James
I think Cromartie is overrated.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
I think Cromartie is overrated, but I think Joseph and Hall are also overrated.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
won’t argue with you there.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
by notthatnoise on Aug 3, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, reports are that Smith is not healthy, over 350lbs, and that Lewis is unhappy with him.
Not that it should matter much, Cincy won games last year without him. I wouldn’t exactly say they have “studs” everywhere, though. A lot of players that should be good but have major questions to answer.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I voted Bengals.
Steelers are straight garbage, Ravens can’t get over the hump. I feel Baltimore was the best team the last couple years, but they shanked. They can’t do it.
Browns are just too much in the work to top anything.
Bengals take it at 11-5.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
by Brownie's Year on Jul 30, 2010 12:34 AM EDT reply actions
I’d be happy with these results. I like our improvement, and the fact that we’re ahead of the Steelers (in this projection) is like icing on the cake.
7 wins for Browns would be a real nice job by the new regime and would be a great foundation for the future. We still will need that qb to wear the crown.
by realmccoy on Jul 30, 2010 6:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Speaking of the Ravens, they just lost one of their starting CB’s for the season. Domonique Foxworth tore his ACL in practice yesterday and is done for the year. They already have injury issues in their secondary so that is going to be a big concern for their defense.
Sergio Kindle fell down two flights of stairs and fractured his skull.
Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
The Ravens and Steelers are getting hit with some unfortunate injuries (for them). Let’s hope the same doesn’t happen to Cleveland when camp starts.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 30, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
They are decimated at cb and I think Ray Ray has slowed a little. 9-7 for Ravens
by realmccoy on Jul 30, 2010 6:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I thought the Ravens had the best offseason, but injuries are already hitting them. Foxworth, Kindle, Reed, Cody took three tries to pass his conditioning test. They were my pick up until these started piling up. And if you look at it, that defense is getting older. If these draft picks don’t work really well, I’m just not sure they have the depth necessary.
I voted Bengals, but I think the division will be close with no dominant team. I’m thinking something like this:
Bengals 10-6
Ravens 9-7
Steelers 8-8
Browns 5-12 (but I really hope I’m wrong here…)
by Fundamentals on Jul 30, 2010 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
The interesting thing about Cody and Kindle is that everyone was calling them steals, but these guys fell precisely because of injury/conditioning concerns. I am aware that Kindle’s accident was a fluke for someone waiting to jump on this.
"I spoil a lot of people with my play." -Lebron James
It was rumored that Kindle will need microfracture surgery at some point in the near future, which would be a bigger football deal than being prone to falling down stairs. The only other concern with him is ability to anchor to stop the run IMO.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I’m glad we didn’t pick Kindle. /sarc on I sure want someone who falls asleep at the top of the stairs to be the young star in my defense. /sarc off
For the love of Joe Thomas.....
by North Coast Flea on Aug 2, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I originally figured it would be the Ravens (unfortunately), but now with the injuries Cincy seems to have a stronger case. Does anyone have a good feel for what their O-line might be like this season? (Hint: I’m hoping to hear things like “lousy.”)
One can only hope that the Bengal’s linemen are infested with lice.
Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 31, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I voted for the Browns. Ha!
But really, I think the Browns finish 3rd in front of the Steelers. I don’t know about 1st place. My gut says Ravens, but I am not at all confident that the Bengals can’t take 1st.
I think the Browns could get third.
I’m predicting 7-9 or 8-8 for us. Maybe that’s a little too optimistic. But this team is better than last year, and we won 5 then.
We are all witnesses... to a traitor.
I think the Bengals surprise some people. We know they have a good running game. Defense looks solid, especially CB. If Palmer ends up getting back to his old form, and stays healthy (major concern for them), he has plenty of targets to through to.
by rebuilding year on Jul 31, 2010 2:06 PM EDT reply actions
I am not at all sold on the Bengals’ defense. Maybe that’s just me. I could see them exploding for 12 wins or imploding for 5.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
This is how the Bengals are every year though, 2-5 wins or 10-12 depending on which Carson Palmer shows up.
For the love of Joe Thomas.....
by North Coast Flea on Aug 2, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Why aren’t you sold on their defense?
They were 6th best overall last year in scoring, 4th best in yardage per game, and in the top 7 in everything else. Do you think they got worst?
by The Licensed Pessimist on Aug 3, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I do not think they got “worst”, I think they had the benefit of playing us twice, Chicago, Detroit, and KC. They also had a surprisingly good running game, which kept their D off the field; less plays, less yards, less scoring.
If you look at better stats, (i.e. from your boys at the infallible Football Outsiders), they were 13th in DVOA, 15th in weighted defense, and 21st against the run. That sounds more appropriate to me. They were also terrible against 3rd+ WRs and Backs according to FO (as in, worse than we were against the 3rd+ WR).
They had a good year last year, but I think they were playing at or near their potential. Quite subjectively, taking a look at their depth chart makes them even less threatening. I think their front 7 outside of Rivers is average.
They were gashed on the ground by a team with a rookie QB in the playoffs. They knew they had to stop the run, and they couldn’t. The Jets were able to both amass a large volume of runs and also have success while running the ball; 41 rushes for a 4.2 YPC. If Cincinnati had one goal in that game it should have been “Make Mark Sanchez play like a veteran to beat us”, and they couldn’t make him throw more than 15 times.
This sort of performance against a playoff team supports the impression that I have of their defense: they are good enough to slow down/stop the weaker teams in the league, but they can’t take away the run or the pass especially well and they simply don’t have the players to be the best unit on the field when they play good/playoff teams in either phase of the game. In other words, they will not be able to match up well against good teams’ running game or passing game. They will not be able to carry their offense against good teams.
In my mind, that’s the definition of an average defense.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by rufio on Aug 3, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Good, convincing reading there, rufio. Rec.
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Aug 3, 2010 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Well with all of those things you pointed out specifically, I am inclined to agree with you.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by rufio on Aug 5, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I voted Bengals, man I hope not. In my dream scenario: Steelers are amidst a collapse, Ravens can’t keep any healthy, and the Bengals implode for obvious reasons allowing the Browns to win there division for a second time with a record of 8-8. Then the second season starts everyone at 0-0 and who knows???
In my dream scenario the browns are16-0, win the superbowl, and in the offseason the ravens are moved to LA.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
by notthatnoise on Aug 2, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
and ben roethlisberger actually pays for his crimes.
by Dawg Nuts on Aug 2, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
In my dream Ben Roethlisberger has been in prison for years.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
by notthatnoise on Aug 3, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Just a side note: Did anyone realize that the 2009 AFC North Champs and the Cleveland Browns had the exact same non-divisional record. I think this just proves how important these divisional rivalry games are. If the Browns can build off the momentum of the defeat of the Steelers last year and take it hard to the rest of the division we could really be seeing a decent year.
That is a great point. It should also be kept in mind that the teams that placed higher in the division last year get harder non-division games. So it is theoretically harder to stay on top than to get there.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
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