NFL Preview - AFC North
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers - I like the Steelers to win the North this year. They are a hard nosed team that has a good offense and a better defense. Troy Poloamalu is one of the top safeties in the game, and his all out style of play helps make it a living nightmare playing this Steelers D. Look for Ben Roethlisberger to have a good year as well. Alot of teams will be gearing up to stop the running game of Parker and Mendenhall, and that will open up the passing lanes for Big Ben. I feel like this is the year Big Ben comes into his own as a QB.
Cleveland Browns - Were they a one hit wonder? Will they have a QB controversy? Two questions fans are going to be asking until proven otherwise. Cleveland had a surprising year last year, led by the emergence of Pro Bowl QB Derek Anderson. The question is, can he do it again, or will be fans be calling for golden boy Brady Quinn after Anderson throws his first INT. My prediction, Brady Quinn plays this year, but only sparingly, and only because Anderson gets hurt. I don’t think Anderson is going to put up huge numbers like he did last year, but with Braylon Edwards on the outside catching his passes and Kellen Winslow as his check down receiver, Anderson should have another decent year. The defense is young and fast and that makes for an aggressive D, one that will play better then it did last year. Still not good enough to surpass the Steelers.
Cincinnati Bengals - The “Bungals” as they have been known for so long, took a step back in to mediocrity last year. Their Defense could not stop anyone. Their offense can only put up so many points. Carson Palmer and company will continue to be a talented offense and this year with the addition of Chris Perry finally being able to play, i believe the running game will help improve the passing game. Expect big numbers from the wideouts as Chad Johnson loves to talk the talk, but he walks the walk as well. I am not sure if the Defense will be much improved from last year, as they lost Justin Smith on the D-line, and the only addition they really made was Keith Rivers in the draft. Look for the Bengals to allow alot of points again this year.
Baltimore Ravens - I’m not sold on any of the QBs on the Ravens roster, which is why I have them finishing last in the Division. Yes, Flacco has a great arm, but his competition in college was not NFL worthy and I don’t think he will play right away if the coaching staff is smart. Look for Willis McGahee and Ray Rice to get alot of work out of the backfield and for the Defense to try and carry the Offense. It’s going to be a rebuilding year on Offense, which I think will also affect their great, yet aging Defense.
