OK, it's now time to break down one of the 2 toughest divisions in the NFL. Both the AFC and NFC North's are the toughest divisions in their respective conferences. These 2 conferences posted 5 of the 12 playoff teams between them last year, which just goes to show their dominance. Today, i will do the AFC North breakdown and predictions for the upcoming season, then tomorrow I will go to the NFC.
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore Ravens. Last year's runner-up in the AFC Championship game is looking to rebound from that sour taste in their mouth from being so close to a trip to a Super Bowl. Joe Flacco has proven himself to be a top quarterback in this league, while he does not put super numbers he wins games. As a matter of fact, no quarterback has won more games since he entered the league. It may not always be pretty, but no one can argue his effectiveness. Ray Rice has without a doubt proven himself as one of the top running backs in the game. He can beat you running the ball and he is also a huge threat catching passes out of the backfield. Stopping the Ravens offense starts here; if you can shut down Rice, then your team has a good chance of stopping the Ravens. The receiving corps is not the strongest in the league. Anquan Boldin is showing signs of slowing down, but he is still a relentless competitor who will fight for every catch and every yard. Torrey Smith was a pleasant surprise for the Ravens last year. His speed makes him a tough cover for any corner and Flacco does have the arm to get him the ball downfield. Ed Dickson is turning into a very solid tight end in this league and will continue to be a red zone threat. The offensive line is excellent and solid at all spots and will continue to open up holes for Rice and protect Flacco. You can't talk about the Ravens without talking about that defense. Yes, it is getting older, but you can not replace the leadership of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and while Father Time may be setting them into the twilight of their HOF careers, they still have the knowledge to put them into position to make the necessary plays. The problem with this Ravens defense is the injury to Terrell Suggs. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year will miss most of the season, if not all of it due to an off-season Achilles tendon tear. Suggs is a relentless pass rusher and can be completely dominant at times and his shoes are going to be attempted to be filled by rookie Courtney Upshaw. Upshaw was a 1st round talent in this past year's draft that unbelievably fell to the 2nd round. The Ravens need big things from this rookie, who does have the strength and speed to make an excellent rush linebacker in the Ravens 3-4 scheme. The corners for the Ravens are the weak spot of this defense. They can be physical and aggressive, but that also leads to getting burned by receivers and give up a big play. The Ravens will end up winning the division again with an 11-5 record, but their window is closing very quickly.
2. Cincinati Bengals. The once maligned Bengals have come around very quietly and quickly and are primed and ready to be the dominant team in this division for many years to come. They are young, but they are focused and mature unlike the youth of the past from this team, who sought the limelight more than success on the field. Andy Dalton showed a lot of promise last year in leading this team to the playoffs. He is a confident player, who will not beat his team, although he is looking to shake off his first playoff loss last season. He is blessed to have an extremely talented receiver in A.J. Green on his side. Green is a playmaker. He has the speed to beat you deep as well as the determination to run the tough routes and beat press coverages. The problem will be who will be the neutralizer on the other side of the field. Teams can roll their safety over the top to help against Green, cause there isn't a proven target opposite of him at this time. They brought in BenJarvus Green-Ellis to pick up the running game left with a vacant hole, when the team decided not to bring back Cedric Benson. Green-Ellis is a very reliable back who left New England to be a legitimate starter and not part of the committee that the Patroits use. Jermaine Gresham has improved every year and will continue to be a top target for Dalton over the middle. The offensive line has improved every year and will give Dalton time to throw. The Bengals front 4 may be the most underrated in the league. They are all big guys, yet have the quickness to get after the quarterback. I expect a big year out of Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap on the edge as well as Geno Atkins and Domata Peko on the interior of the D-Line. These 4 allow the linebackers to make plays. They can bring heat from either side with their OLB's both can be effective pass rushers. Rey Maualuga has learned how to play in the middle and is quietly becoming a top MLB. The secondary is very good as well. Leon Hall is a physical corner, who plays well against the run and can press WR's. Nate Clements is getting older but he is still a solid option at the #2 CB. Taylor Mays and Reggie Nelson could be very well be the most dynamic safety combination in the league, both are young playmakers on the back end with Mays having the speed to cover and Nelson is an aggressive hitter. I see the Bengals also going 11-5, but will lose the divison due to head-to-head tiebreaker with the Ravens, but will once again earn a wild-card spot in the playoffs.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroad right now. The once dominant team for the last several years has started to get old. There are some youthful spots on the roster, but there are areas that need to be looked at as far as having players ready to step in when some of the greats retire. The Steelers have a fast group of wide receivers, however, one has to wonder how ready or how much of a distraction Mike Wallace will be when he shows up to camp. The organization brought in Todd Haley to run the offense. Haley will utilize the receivers strengths by running a lot of quick slants in order to make big plays without having Big Ben holding on to the ball too long. Big Ben is one of the best quarterback's in the league, however, no quarterback in the league has taken a beating like Ben has. The Steelers running game is in a state of flux. They won't have Mendenhall til at least October and then that'll be a question of whether or not he will even be in game shape. Issac Redman is a nice power back and Jonathon Dwyer has looked good in the preseason so far. They drafted some speed with the pick of Chris Rainey who will also be dangerous on kick returns. I expect Heath Miller to actually play a bigger role in the offense this year, he's a great tight end who some how seems to get lost in the play calling, but Haley likes throwing the ball to the tight end to set up the deep passing game. The offensive line, which has been a problem in the past (see all of Big Ben's sacks over the years), was actually looked at in the draft. David DeCastro, the Steelers 1st round pick, has the potential to be the best guard since Alan Faneca was in Pittsburgh. Mike Adams, their 2nd round pick, has the ability to make a good left tackle, however, if he starts as a rookie there will be some growing pains and he may have trouble with pure speed rushers. The Steeler defense, while it will be very good, will have some struggles this year. Replacing the veteran James Farrior with Larry Foote is a downgrade. Foote just doesn't have Farrior's instincts and leadership. It appears to be a changing of the guard on the D-line. Ziggy Hood will finally get his chance to start with Aaron Smith's retirement and probably Steve McClendon will win the starting nose tackle job from the long time veteran Casey Hampton. Woodley and Timmons are great players who make big plays for the Steeler Defense. The health of James Harrison is going to be a cause for concern. If he can play to his level during the season, then no problem, but one has to wonder how his back will hold up. The Steelers do not have an adequate replacement for him, unless they move Timmons out of the middle, but that would leave a big hole there as well. The secondary is better than most teams. Ike Taylor has shown that he can be a shutdown corner, but it's the oposite side that has been devoid of equal talent for a long time. The safety tandem of Clark and Polamalu is as good as it gets. They play the opposite role for their position from time to time, as Clark seems to be more of the strong safety and Troy roams around a lot playing a hybrid free/strong safety/outside linebacker. Polamalu has the trust of the team to break from scheme and freelance to read plays and he is highly successful, but this can cause a strain in coverage and sometimes leads to the Steelers D giving up a huge play. All in all the Steelers are still one of the best teams in the league and their 10-6 record will show that as they earn the 2nd wild card spot and go playoff dancing for another season.
4. Cleveland Browns. There hasn't been much to cheer for Browns fans lately, but there seems to be signs of life coming off the banks of Lake Erie. Quarterback Brandon Weeden, while he may be an old rookie, has the chance to be the best quarterback in Cleveland since Bernie Kosar. The Browns bet the house on Trent Richardson to help carry the load of the team. Everyone seems to love Richardson and how he has a chance to be an elite running back, however, I have reservations against a running back who has to play the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals defenses twice a year. Greg Little turned into a quality target last season and should continue to see a lot of targets, since the receiving corps is not very strong. Ben Watson needs to become a big target to take some pressure off the rookie QB. The offensive line has some strong parts, Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, yet, as a whole it needs some improvement. The Browns D has gotten better every year over the last couple of years. The front 4 is mostly young guys, but they are very talented and make plays and do their jobs. D'Qwell Jackson is a underrated MLB, the guy is a tackling machine and moves sideline-to-sideline very well. They will miss Fujita for some time, due to his alleged role in the Saints bounty program. Joe Haden is a top level corner, who excels at both man and zone coverage and he's not afraid to provide solid run support. Sheldon Brown is a solid veteran on the other side. The safeties Haag and Ward are young and show it on the field from time-to-time. They make big plays and they make big mistakes as well, but they show improvement which is all one can ask for. The Browns need a few pieces to compete for the division crown in this division, but they are getting better and should finish this season 6-10, making one shocking upset (which I will call later in the season).
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