2011 NFL Preview AFC North Edition: Cleveland Browns Sneaky Good or Sneaky Bad?
Note: This is Part Seven of an Eight Part Series of NFL Divisional Predictions
Ever since the AFC North was created the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have battled for the division crown with lead pipes year in year out. On the opposite end of the spectrum the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals have a pillow fight to remain out of the division cellar. This year will be no different.
The battle for first place in the AFC North should be the toughest call of any of the division races. The Steelers are coming off a Super Bowl appearance while the Ravens made the playoffs last year as well.
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I am predicting the Ravens to win the AFC North with a record of 12-4. I fully expect the Steelers to still make the playoffs as a Wild Card with a record of 11-5. Both teams are bringing too much talent back from playoff teams to fall out of the playoffs. Also with the NFL lockout veteran teams with continuity will have an advantage during the 2011 season.
The biggest reason for predicting the Ravens will finish above the Steelers is the drama that seems to have followed the Steelers this offseason. Hines Ward was arrested for a DUI. James Harrison doesn't know how to stop running his mouth in regards to his teammates and the commissioner. Ben Roethlisberger is a walking human distraction for a number of reasons. Rashard Mendenhall made some really questionable tweets in regards to Osama Bin Laden.
The list goes on and on. All of that coupled with the typical Super Bowl hangover should allow the Ravens to nudge past them for the division crown.
I predict the Browns will finish in third place with a record of 7-9. Some may feel that win total is too high given the fact that they have a new head coach, a young QB in Colt McCoy and finished with a worse record last year.
However, the Browns have an extremely easy schedule this year. The entire AFC North does. This will inflate their win total. There have been some positives as well. The Browns have done very well in the draft the last two seasons and with a bunch of extra picks for the 2012 draft, they have reason for optimism in the future.
The Bengals will more than likely finish in last place with a record of 6-10.
Fear not Bengals fans as there are reasons for optimism for the future. The Bengals got rid of the biggest diva WR tandem in league history.
Chad Ochocinco was traded to the Patriots for a fifth round draft pick and Terrell Owens was simply not resigned. Having both of them gone will lift the locker room.
Rookie A.J. Green has future stud number one receiver written all over him. If Jerome Simpson's flashes of potential were for real at the end of last season he should provide a great compliment as the number two receiver. If Andy Dalton can step in as a rookie and play competently the Bengals will have an easier time transitioning away from the Carson Palmer era.
Overall the AFC North should be one of the best divisions in the NFL. The Ravens and Steelers should both make the playoffs and the Browns and Bengals while not great, should not challenge for league bottom feeder status as well.
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