AFC North Preview

AFC North – The North has, traditionally, been dominated by the Steelers; however, last year the Bengals and Ravens burst back onto the scene and left Pittsburgh watching from the outside. This summer, the Ravens and Bengals stacked up their offenses to support their already strong defenses, while the Steelers lost their most important player, Ben Roethlisberger. I believe that this year, the AFC North will be one of the key divisions to watch in the NFL with some serious Superbowl implications.

Cleveland Browns – The last few words of my last paragraph said “Superbowl implications,” and I started my preview off with the Browns; I don’t think I need to explain the irony there. However, the Browns are going to be interesting this year. Jake Delhomme will be a good role model for Colt McCoy, not to mention new Team President Mike Holmgren – a known QB genius. This year the Browns should show brief flashes of brilliance, but it is still the Browns; their wins will be as ugly as their helmets. Projected record: 4-12.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger’s decisions during the off season would make the cast of Jersey Shore look like catholic priests (maybe not the best comparison, but you get the idea). I think that his transgressions will harm the Steelers too much for them to recover; however, this could be a good audition for Dennis Dixon or Byron Leftwitch. In the end, their defense will keep them above water, and they’ll have two games against the Browns so that’s at least two wins (sorry Cleveland fans, as if losing LeBron wasn’t enough rite?) Projected record: 9-7.

Cincinnati Bengals – this could be the year for Cincinnati to finally get over the hump, and not just in football. The Reds are surprising everyone in baseball with how they’ve played and the Bengals seem to be stacking chips on offense. Another year in the NFL will benefit Rey Maualuga and the return of Antwan Odom adding pressure on the QB should help their athletic corners make more plays. T.O. being in town means a lot of press for an under-the-radar Carson Palmer; however, having him opposite Ochocinco is never a bad thing (especially in terms of pure entertainment). Projected record: 11-5

Baltimore Ravens – I expect big things from the Ravens. On paper, they are the best team in this division, and are now on a level where competing with the Colts isn’t a total mismatch. Flacco will have to shoulder a lot more of the load to keep Ray Rice fresh for the postseason. His new weapons at WR, Boldin and Stallworth, will be paramount to “Joe Cool’s” success; also, don’t sleep on TE Ed Dickson, he will also have a chance to play a big part in this high powered offense. Projected record: 12-4.

The Bottom line is that the Steelers no longer scare the other teams in the North, especially without their Pro Bowl quarterback. QB is the predominant subject for this division. How will McCoy grow under Holmgren and Delhomme? When will Big Ben be back on the field, and will he be in-time to save the season? Can Carson Palmer keep his two diva WRs (I'm calling them "T.O-chocinco") happy throughout the season? Will Flacco step into the next level of high class/elite quarterbacks with new weapons at his disposal?

The Ravens are my pick to play the Colts or Jets in the AFC Championship game; however, the Bengals are more than capable of playing in that game as well. Once Roethlisberger gets back on the field, this division will be back at full strength and the race for the postseason will be in full effect.

By Aaron Hilton
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401