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Thursday, July 18, 2013

AFC North Preview

Alright, the AFC North.  The toughest division in the conference.  At the top it’s not particularly menacing since none of these teams are as good as the Broncos or Patriots, and they’re not even necessarily better than the Colts or Texans.  The Ravens lost some key players, the Steelers are aging and injury-prone, and the Bengals have some really solid talent but haven’t proven that they are able to take the next step from good playoff contender to elite Super Bowl contender.  It’s sort of a toss up between these three since they all have outstanding issues that could conceivably be resolved or overcome, but coming into the season the question marks cannot be entirely ignored.  At least I get to start with the one team whose position I am entirely confident in…


4. Cleveland Browns
            Oh, Cleveland.  Oh, you beautiful, comforting, predictable Browns.  In an ever-shifting, ever-surprising division, you are the one team that I can safely mark down in your rightful spot: last.  Trent Richardson is pretty much the main bright spot, Brandon Weeden might on a better roster be serviceable, Josh Gordon and Greg Little aren’t the wost receiving duo in the league, and they even have a nice tough defense (this is the AFC North after all).  They aren’t necessarily awful, and they’ll be sure to pull a few upsets along the way (lookin’ at you Baltimore), but there is just something about the Browns (or maybe just Cleveland?) that makes you put them in last place until they can prove otherwise.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers
            I know.  I have never put the Steelers below second in my life, and I am probably going to regret it.  They are the Pittsburgh Steelers after all.  I can feel it now – Mike Tomlin turning me to stone with a single icy glare.  But I just can’t see them knocking off the defending champion Ravens this year, and the Cincinnati Bengals, despite being the Cincinnati Bengals, are just a more (*gulp*) solid and (*double gulp*) younger team overall.  Big Ben never stays healthy (he will now though), I don’t see the corps of Sanders, Brown, Burress, and Cotchery doing all that much damage (they will), and the run game is either too young or too old and not at all confidence-inspiring (until Le’veon Bell randomly rushes for 1,000 yards).  So yeah, if you couldn’t tell I don’t feel great about this pick, but I’ll pick them to have a good defense and alright offense, but to finish 3rd and miss the playoffs again.

2. Cincinnati Bengals
            As I said, the Bengals are really solid and young.  In a tough division, they hold their own and have made it into the playoffs as a wild card.  I just don’t see them as being able to take that next step to division champion or even serious deep playoff contender with their current set up.  AJ Green is their best player, and aside from Calving Johnson he might be the best receiver in the league.  But after him, they just have a lot of reliability and not a lot of exciting potential star power.  Andy Dalton is good or even very good, but not great.  Their receivers after Green aren’t very intimidating, and the run game with Ben Jarvus and Gio Bernard is, what’s that word again? Solid. The defense is, as with all these teams, great, and James Harrison could be a big factor, but he is also getting older and let’s be honest, this team just doesn’t have that spark.  A receiver can’t carry you to greatness, right Detroit?  They’ll make the playoffs, but I just need to see star power at a couple more positions before believing the Bengals can take the next step.

1. Baltimore Ravens

            Now, once again, I will say that I don’t feel great about this pick.  I’m giving the Super Bowl champs the benefit of the doubt, but they lost Ray Lewis, they lost Ed Reed, they lost Anquan Boldin.  With a changing of the guard in the defense, and a potentially inconsistent passing attack, the Ravens have serious question marks.  Not to mention the fact that, even with more elite talent they have never exactly been consistent throughout a season.  But Joe Flacco proved he could get it done last year and if he, along with Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones, can bring it week in and week out and prove the doubters wrong, well then this team is as dangerous as any in the AFC.  Ray Rice is an elite talent, Dennis Pitta is a solid tight end, Haloti Ngata is a beast, and Terrell Suggs will end you.  And they added Elvis Dumervil and Chris Canty?  As it has been for some time, the success of this team rests on Joe Flacco’s still questionable, yet Super Bowl proven shoulders.  He will play at least well enough to bring them another division title, and who knows, maybe they’ll even show themselves to be that next annual threat the AFC has been looking for to replace Manning and Brady.

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