Division Series Preview, Part 4: AFC North
Combined Record: 37-27
2011 Division Winner: Baltimore Ravens (12-4, 6-0 Division)
2011 Playoff Teams: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC North usually features the two powerhouses of the Steelers & Ravens, but rookie sensation Andy Dalton helped lead his Bengals to sneak in to the playoffs last year. The Ravens & Steelers never disappoint when they meet up head to head. The Browns? Well, they're still the Browns, who haven't made the playoffs since 2002. The AFC North will play the NFC East & AFC West this season.
Baltimore Ravens (12-4, 6-0 Division, 9-3 Conference)
Noteworthy Arrivals: Jacoby Jones, Bobbie Williams, Tony Wragge, Ryan McBeam, Corey Graham, Courtney Upshaw (DRAFT), Tommy Streeter (DRAFT)
Noteworthy Departures: Lee Evans, Ben Grubbs (We thank you), Cory Redding, Brandon McKinney, Jarret Johnson, Chris Carr
2012 Predicted Record: 10-6
The 2011 Ravens were fueled by sweeping their division, and going 8-0 at home for the year. It's also noteworthy that that amazing defense showed no signs of faltering, as they finished Top 5 in Points Allowed, Yards Allowed/Game, Rush Yards Allowed/Game, & Pass Yards Allowed/Game. The biggest issue (despite the LB situation which will be addressed shortly) was the Ray Rice controversy. Until Monday, he was totally out of the picture. He was locked up to a much deserved contract, which is a relief for the Ravens, as he is the main part of their offense. However, how will he play? The burning question for the 2012 Ravens is around their LB situation - which is pretty rough to say the least. Out of the picture is Terrell Suggs, which is arguably the best LB in football right now. Jarret Johnson left in the offseason, and Mike McAdoo tore his Achilles. That leaves Paul Kruger, Sergio Kindle, & Rookie Courtney Upshaw to fill two of the missing spots. Kindle has been a major disappointment. Ray Rice & Ed Reed prove to be immortals on defense, Haloti Ngata is good at plugging the middle, but one wonders if this defense will falter this season? I like them to make the playoffs again, but not win the division. They'll get in as a Wild Card. Games of interest for this season include: both Steeler matchups, @Philly, Dallas, @Houston (Who didn't enjoy that Divisional Matchup?), @Chargers, Denver, & Giants.
A huge piece is missing from the Ravens, will anyone be able to compensate for the loss?
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4, 4-2 Division, 9-3 Conference)
Noteworthy Arrivals: Leonard Pope, Brandon Johnson, David Decastro (DRAFT), Mike Adams (DRAFT)
Noteworthy Departures: Dennis Dixon, Mewelde Moore, Chris Kemoeatu, Aaron Smith, James Farrior
2012 Predicted Record: 11-5
Rashard Mendenhall, to be or not to be healthy, and when? Ben Roethlisberger remains to be tough as nails, will he break soon? Those 40 sacks suffered in 2011 were pretty hard, as one of them lead to that troublesome high ankle sprain. The Steelers heard the message loud and clear, as their first two selections in the draft were Offensive Linemen, David Decastro & Mike Adams. Protecting Big Ben will be essential for the 2012 Steelers to go places. What's even more interesting to look to is the arrival of Todd Haley as the Offensive Coordinator, who will focus on being heavy on the pass. While we don't know if Mike Wallace will get in on the attack at this point, one thing is certain....if you give Roethlisberger the time, and the weapons, he'll deliver. There's sadly no more Hines Ward, so Emmanuel Sanders & Heath Miller will have to play a bigger role in the Steelers Offensive Attack. On defense, I just hope James Harrison can tap someone without getting fined/suspended this season. Aside from the Rushing Yards Allowed per Game (which ranked 8th), the Steel Curtain were 1st in the other categories. Games of interest start in Week 1 @Denver, Jets, Philly, @NYG, both Baltimore games, Chargers, @Dallas.
I'll take Foreman, err, Tomlin for the differential diagnosis.
Noteworthy Arrivals: Leonard Pope, Brandon Johnson, David Decastro (DRAFT), Mike Adams (DRAFT)
Noteworthy Departures: Dennis Dixon, Mewelde Moore, Chris Kemoeatu, Aaron Smith, James Farrior
2012 Predicted Record: 11-5
Rashard Mendenhall, to be or not to be healthy, and when? Ben Roethlisberger remains to be tough as nails, will he break soon? Those 40 sacks suffered in 2011 were pretty hard, as one of them lead to that troublesome high ankle sprain. The Steelers heard the message loud and clear, as their first two selections in the draft were Offensive Linemen, David Decastro & Mike Adams. Protecting Big Ben will be essential for the 2012 Steelers to go places. What's even more interesting to look to is the arrival of Todd Haley as the Offensive Coordinator, who will focus on being heavy on the pass. While we don't know if Mike Wallace will get in on the attack at this point, one thing is certain....if you give Roethlisberger the time, and the weapons, he'll deliver. There's sadly no more Hines Ward, so Emmanuel Sanders & Heath Miller will have to play a bigger role in the Steelers Offensive Attack. On defense, I just hope James Harrison can tap someone without getting fined/suspended this season. Aside from the Rushing Yards Allowed per Game (which ranked 8th), the Steel Curtain were 1st in the other categories. Games of interest start in Week 1 @Denver, Jets, Philly, @NYG, both Baltimore games, Chargers, @Dallas.
I'll take Foreman, err, Tomlin for the differential diagnosis.
Cincinnati Bengals (9-7, 2-4 Division, 6-6 Conference)
Noteworthy Arrivals: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Travelle Wharton, Jamaal Anderson, Jason Allen, Terrance Newman, Dre Kirkpatrick (DRAFT), Kevin Zeitler (DRAFT)
Noteworthy Departures: Cedric Benson, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Bobbie Williams, Nate Livings, Frostee Rucker, Keith Rivers, Brandon Johnson, Jonathan Fanene
2012 Predicted Record: 7-9
The Bengals ended a 5-year playoff drought, and met their end to the Texans in a very entertaining Wild Card Game. Give credit to Andy Dalton for a successful run for the Bengals, as he was the most successful Rookie QB of 2011. AJ Green was also a very nice standout for Dalton. Arguably, the Bengals had many favorable matchups last year, and if you don't buy that, look up their opponents. Exit Cedric Benson, enter The Law Firm. He could have a very successful year for the Bengals, as he will be their workhorse. When I think of the Bengals this year, it's the same as I did last year....meh. With their schedule being much tougher this year, I don't find them getting back into the postseason, there's not much else to really say about that. Games of interest include: Denver, NYG, @KC, @SD, Dallas, @Philly (it's also worth noting that these are their opponents in a 7 week stretch, missing Oakland). Still think they'll get back into the playoffs?
They'll need more magic this year to get into the playoffs.
Noteworthy Arrivals: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Travelle Wharton, Jamaal Anderson, Jason Allen, Terrance Newman, Dre Kirkpatrick (DRAFT), Kevin Zeitler (DRAFT)
Noteworthy Departures: Cedric Benson, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Bobbie Williams, Nate Livings, Frostee Rucker, Keith Rivers, Brandon Johnson, Jonathan Fanene
2012 Predicted Record: 7-9
The Bengals ended a 5-year playoff drought, and met their end to the Texans in a very entertaining Wild Card Game. Give credit to Andy Dalton for a successful run for the Bengals, as he was the most successful Rookie QB of 2011. AJ Green was also a very nice standout for Dalton. Arguably, the Bengals had many favorable matchups last year, and if you don't buy that, look up their opponents. Exit Cedric Benson, enter The Law Firm. He could have a very successful year for the Bengals, as he will be their workhorse. When I think of the Bengals this year, it's the same as I did last year....meh. With their schedule being much tougher this year, I don't find them getting back into the postseason, there's not much else to really say about that. Games of interest include: Denver, NYG, @KC, @SD, Dallas, @Philly (it's also worth noting that these are their opponents in a 7 week stretch, missing Oakland). Still think they'll get back into the playoffs?
They'll need more magic this year to get into the playoffs.
Cleveland Browns (4-12, 0-6 Division, 3-9 Conference)
Noteworthy Arrivals: Frostee Rucker, Juqua Thomas-Parker, Trent Richardson (DRAFT), Brandon Weeden (DRAFT)
Noteworthy Departures: Peyton Hillis, Tony Pashos, Eric Steinbach, Jayme Mitchell, Mike Adams
2012 Predicted Record: 3-13
And then there were the Cleveland Browns....which are a complete mess. If they landed Robert Griffin III, there was a chance for them to potentially make something of themselves. Trent Richardson will be the lone wolf on offense, and could have a productive rookie season running behind Joe Thomas & Alex Mack. However, the bigger question is where the hell are they gonna go from here? Colt McCoy isn't the answer, and Brandon Weeden isn't much of an answer for the immediate future. They'll be lucky to get those 3 wins, but could more likely be 2. It'll be a dark year again in Cleveland, but the Dawg Pound is used to that by now.
Madden Curse spread further than just Hillis.
AFC North - 2012 Bold Predictions
- The Browns will get Pick #1 or #2 in the 2013 Draft
- Ben Roethlisberger will be in the Top 5 in Passing Yards for 2012
- Colt McCoy will be benched before the mid-way point of the season
- Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis will be 1,000 Yard Rusher this season
- The Ravens & Steelers will split their matchups, and will be in the Top 10 Most Entertaining games of 2012
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