The AFC North is a division that has some of the best rivalries in the NFL. These teams and their fans really do not like each other.
The Bengals appeared to be poised to dominate the division after an 11-5 record with a young offensive core in 2005. The Steelers beat them in the Wildcard Round, won the Super Bowl, and appeared to be in complete control of the division. The Bengals have been irrelevant since.
The Steelers failed to make the playoffs after their Super Bowl win, and the 13-3 Baltimore Ravens reemerged in 2006. Then the Ravens crashed to 5-11 as the Steelers took back the division. Forgotten, have been the Cleveland Browns, who came out of nowhere to win 10 games in 2007.
The Browns were one of the biggest surprises in 2007. As big free agency spenders, they look to take the division for the first time since 1989.
The AFC North has been a wide-open race the last few years. Here is how I see the 2008 season playing out in the AFC North. Part I
Pittsburgh Steelers
'07 Record: 10-6
Points Scored: 393(ninth)
Points Allowed: 269 (second)
Playoff Result: Lost in Wildcard Round
2008 Strength of Schedule: 153-103 (.598) (first in NFL)
Strengths: The Steelers were a great statistical team in 2007. They finished second in points allowed, in large part due to the 27 points they gave up to Baltimore while resting starters the last game of the season. Indianapolis led the league with 262 points allowed.
The Steelers did finish first in yards allowed. They were third in rushing yards allowed and passing yards allowed. Mike Tomlin did a great job with this team in his first season as a NFL Head Coach.
On offense, they also did well. Ben Roethlisberger had only 3,154 yards passing, but recorded 32 touchdown passes. The reason for that is the Steelers threw a lot in the red zone. While the Steelers’ 2,168 rushing yards was third in the NFL, their nine rushing touchdowns were 22nd.
With Willie Parker coming back from injury, the Steelers got a gift by having Rashard Mendenhall fall to the 23rd pick. The Steelers figure to have a formidable running attack for years to come. They should get more rushing touchdowns in 2008, so long as they can replace Alan Faneca.
He is a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All Pro, four of which were between 2004 to last season. That is difficult to replace and even though the Jets overpaid for the 30-plus year old guard, the Steelers have some large shoes to fill.
They also got some receiver help. They weren’t bad there to begin with. Hines Ward is starting to drop in productivity, but is still a great blocker and team leader. He is consistently reaching around the 1,000-yard mark with seven to ten touchdowns.
Santonio Holmes is entering the "magical" third year for wide receivers, and looks to be on the verge of a breakout year. I expect him to solidify himself as the No. 1 option. Limas Sweed is the tall receiver Big Ben wanted and should fit in well. He is a good end zone and third down target. Heath Miller is a fantastic tight end.
4 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Osi Umenyiora about 1 year ago
I tend to agree with the Steelers pick over the Browns. The Browns to be sure are a hot an up and coming team, be they're also young and therefore likely to be inconsistent.
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Football Maniaxs about 1 year ago
...Not too mention their defense, which ranked near the bottom in almost every category.
In fact, the Browns defense ranked 21st in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed, 31st in first downs allowed, 24th in passing yards allowed, and 27th in rushing yards allowed.
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Preston James about 1 year ago
He has his facts wrong - Big Ben joined the team in 2004. Since 2004 their record is 59 - 21
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Football Maniaxs about 1 year ago
Preston, thanks for taking the time to comment on Big Ben.
You are right about him joining the Steelers in 2004 and not '05.
However, he has appeared in 56 regular season games since then, starting 55 of them. If you add his 7 playoffs games started, his total will be 62 games.
44+20= 62.
Regular season games:
2004: 13 starts + 1 game where he came off the bench.
2005: 12 starts
2006: 15 starts
2007: 15 starts
Playoffs games:
2004: 2 games
2005: 4 games
2007: 1 game
I will correct his starting year soon. Are we on the same page on his record?
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