AFC North Preview

Going from one of the NFL's strongest divisions, the NFC East, to one of it's worst:

CLEVELAND BROWNS (projected record: 9-7)

Cleveland Browns Stadium (Cleveland, OH)

Head coach: Romeo Crennel (4th year)

Projected skill starters: QB Derek Anderson, RB Jamal Lewis, FB Lawrence Vickers, WR Braylon Edwards, WR Donte Stallworth, TE Kellen Winslow II, K Phil Dawson, P Dave Zastudil

 
Cleveland was one of the pleasant surprises around the NFL in 2007, and should be in the thick of the battle in a weak AFC North.  They will likely have to win the division to make the playoffs, seeing how the North's common opponents come from perhaps the league's two best divisions, the AFC South and NFC East.  Derek Anderson emerged as a strong QB last season, and led a balanced Browns offense that proved difficult to solve for opponents.  Defense was a problem, however, as the unit was near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed.  The line was bolstered with  the additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, but the secondary could still prove to be costly during the playoff chase.  Regardless of the defensive issues, look for Cleveland to win their first division crown since 1989. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-7)

Heinz Field (Pittsburgh, PA)

Head coach: Mike Tomlin (2nd year)

Projected skill starters: QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Willie Parker, FB Carey Davis, WR Santonio Holmes, WR Hines Ward, TE Heath Miller, K Jeff Reed, P Paul Ernster

The Steelers' schedule is even more difficult than the Browns', and in fact, their opponents have the highest 2007 winning percentage of any team in the league.   Pittsburgh features a strong core, led of course on offense by Roethlisberger, Parker, and Ward, and by Troy Polamalu on defense, but there are questions to be answered.  The defense as awhole was tops in the NFL one season ago, but the secondary had a few poor performances down the stretch.  With quarterbacks such as Romo, Brady, both Mannings, and Anderson on the schedule, that could spell trouble.  Plus, who will take over for Faneca up front?  Taking a wild card spot will be next to impossible, making their Week 2 and 17 matchups with Cleveland even more crucial.  Look for the Browns to win the division on a tiebreaker. 

BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-11)

M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD)

Head coach: John Harbaugh (1st year)

Projected skill starters: QB Kyle Boller, RB Willis McGahee, FB Lorenzo Neal, WR Mark Clayton, WR Derrick Mason, TE Todd Heap, K Matt Stover, P Sam Koch

Baltimore was 4-2 at one point a season ago before slipping to a final mark of 5-11.  Below average quarterback play and injuries to an aging defense led to the terrible finish.  Brian Billick is gone, and Harbaugh is left with the daunting task of rebuilding this team.  Not an offensive guru, he has brought in Cam Cameron to infuse some life into that unit.  Unfortunately, Boller is terrible, Troy Smith is inexperienced, and Joe Flacco is a rookie.  Outside of Mason and Heap (when healthy), who knows what the Ravens will get out of the receivers.  And McGahee could see a heavy workload again.  While the defense remains one of the better units in the league, they can't be expected to carry this team like they used to.  As a result, the Ravens could be looking at another 4 or 5 win season.       

CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-12)

Paul Brown Stadium (Cincinnati, OH)

Head coach: Marvin Lewis (6th year)

Projectedskill starters:QB Carson Palmer, RB Rudi Johnson, FB Jeremi Johnson, WR Chad Johnson, WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh, TE Reggie Kelly, K Shayne Graham, P Kyle Larson

 
When I look at Cincinnati, the first thing that comes to mind is "ticking time bomb."  Chad Johnson actually showed up for training camp, but is already hurt.  Palmer is one of the game's best quarterbacks, but without a focused or healthy Ocho Cinco, it takes him and the rest of the unit down a few notches.  In the running game, Rudi Johnson needs a rebound year to keep Cincy from becoming one-dimensional.  Lewis was the defensive coordinator for potentially the greatest D in history, but his magic touch has yet to work for the Bengals.  The unit received another complete overhaul this offseason, but I do not see a great deal of improvement.  It looks like another long year of shootout-style games on the Ohio, with a difficult schedule and disgruntled star wideout to boot.