The Shark's Divisional Review (8)
Last, and certainly not least, the AFC North
AFC NORTH DIVISION - Teams : Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinatti Bengals, Baltimore Ravens
Last Season :
1. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6 - Lost to NE Patriots in Divisional Playoff game
2. Cleveland Browns 10-6 - DNQ
3. Cincinatti Bengals 7-9 - DNQ
4. Baltimore Ravens 5-11 - DNQ
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Alot of the pieces are in place for the Steelers....a top notch young versatile QB in "Big" Ben Roethlisberger, an excellent experienced RB in Willie Parker with a young rookie star of the future RB backing him up in Rashard Mendenhall - a talented WR corps that includes short gain/safe hands Hines Ward and genuine deep threat in Santonio Holmes, and a very good aggressive defence that stuffs the run and protects the pass. But there seems to be something missing, that no one can quite put their finger on with the Steelers, that stops them from becoming a consistent playoff losing team to a franchise team of its generation. HC Mike Tomlin will be hoping he can find the solution that corrects the fact that this historical giant of a team has made only 2 Superbowl apperances since the glory days of the Steel Curtain teams of the 70's. A rough looking schedule may hinder them this season.
Offensive Rating : 9/10
Defensive Rating : 9/10
My Prediction : Will win more than they lose, and should make the postseason, but i fear (again) they will find two or three better than them in the AFC
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland were a team going nowhere fast until a stunning 51-45 win over the Bengals ignited their season, and Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards suddenly became the NFL's hottest QB/WR duo - well, one of them anyway. The Browns missed out on the playoffs by the narrowest of margins but were widely lauded for their efforts and spectacular offensive play. The question is, was it a one-off or are they the real thing? Opinion seems to be divided, and its been recognised that the Browns starting line up is ultra competative...but is there the strength in depth. Derek Anderson seems to be recovering from a preseason concussion and RB Jamal Lewis is healthy also. They have focused on their flimsy defence in the close season and strengthened it....but they also have a very rough schedule ahead of them and will need a good start to make an impact like last season. Should still be fun watching the Browns...but expectations need to be kept in check for a while.
Offensive Rating : 9/10 (when all fit)
Defensive Rating : 7/10
My Prediction : Some big scores again for Browns games, but i cant see them making the postseason.
CINCINATTI BENGALS
Another team with a spectacular passing offense that can put points on the board very quickly almost at will, with Carson Palmer firing bullets to stud WR's Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh - but Chad Johnson has injury concerns and TJ Housh hasnt made a pre season appearance as yet. The Tigers running game is stuttery at best, though potentially good with Rudi Johnson getting the carries - but behind a flimsy offensive line there aint much there. The defense is worse, allowing teams to run and pass on them at will, and it is here that really scuppers the Bengals chances. Like the Browns they will be involved in some cricket score games, but unless they can stop teams from getting into the endzone, they will be on the wrong end of most of them
Offensive Rating : 8.5/10
Defensive Rating : 5/10
My Prediction : Same as Cleveland.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens won the Superbowl a few years ago on the back of a stifling defense that was almost impossible to break down. The legacy of that all time Defense lives on in Baltimore, though the current D is not at the same level. The problem with the current Ravens however is on the other side of the ball....and hugely stuttering offense that relies heavily on the talents of young RB Willis McGahee, but he is currently injured and even if he wasnt, its still very hard work otherwise. QB Kyle Boller struggles to find his receivers, and when he does, its often not for much yardage at all. Until the Ravens can find a way to put points on the board, they arent gonna win many games.
Offensive Rating : 5/10 (McGahee, when fit, apart)
Defensive Rating : 8/10
My Prediction : Another season of struggle for the Ravens.
AFC NORTH OVERALL :
The Steelers should prevail again here, though how easy/hard it is to win the division i feel rests in their own hands. The frailties of the Browns and Bengals are there for all to see, and in a season where they face off against the NFC East teams as well as their own division, a winning season could be beyond them. The Ravens looked to have seriously clipped wings at the moment..its Pittsburgh's for the taking.
1. Steelers
2. Bengals
3. Browns
4. Ravens
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