How the AFC North Could Surprise NFL Fans in 2009

If there is one thing we have learned with the NFL, especially this decade, it is to expect the unexpected.

For every team like the New England Patriots, who have been a contender year in and year out, you have a team like the 2006 New Orleans Saints, who after finishing 3-13 the year before were just one game away from the Super Bowl.

That’s why something feels a bit fishy with the AFC North because it appears to be too...predictable.

When taking a look at the AFC North standings in 2008, there was a stark contrast between contender and pretender. At the top, you had the eventual champion Pittsburgh Steelers, who repeated as AFC North Champions, finishing 12-4. Just behind them were the Baltimore Ravens, finishing 11-5 before going on to play the Steelers in the AFC Championship.

Then you saw the Cincinnati Bengals, whose biggest claim to fame last year was having the first tie in the league in six years. The team finished 4-11-1, yet still finished third.

That brought you to the Cleveland Browns, who took a nose dive from their promising 2007 result the year before. Despite having a very similar roster, the Browns faltered and finished 4-12 which led to the dismissal of head coach Romeo Crennel.

It would be quick to say 2009 will be a repeat of what we saw in 2008, with the Steelers and Ravens fighting it out for a potential bye in the first week of the playoffs with the Browns and Bengals essentially serving as punching bags.

But, once again, this is the NFL, and if it has taught us anything, we’re due for something astonishing.

In fact, here are four ways the AFC North might surprise us all this year.

1. The health and draft of the Cincinnati Bengals

Last year was a nightmare season for the Bengals in terms of the teams’ health.

Carson Palmer sustained numerous injuries and the majority of the season was played by Ryan Fitzpatrick, who while he played adequately, was not near Palmer’s talent.

Running backs Kenny Watson and Chris Perry were also sidelined, which led to the Bengals signing Cedric Benson off the streets. He was one of the only bright spots last year and looks to be the go to guy at that position.

Despite the loss of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the team did have a very strong draft bringing in offensive tackle Andre Smith, linebacker Rey Maualuga as well as defensive end Michael Johnson who has the potential to be a game change at his position.

While it will most likely take time to develop these rookies into the system you never do know if you’ll have a phenomenon like the 2007 New York Giants which had nearly every rookie solidly contribute to their surprising Super Bowl season.

2. A sophomore slump in Baltimore?

By all accounts, the Ravens should be as good if not better than in 2008.

Joe Flacco, who drew criticism of the Ravens for taking him in the first round of the 2008 draft, surprised his critics looked like a veteran quarterback en route to two road wins in the playoffs including one against the top seeded Tennessee Titans.

Ray Rice also helped as rookie as did Le’Ron McClain who, while not technically a rookie, broke out as a Pro Bowl running back/fullback last year. Combined, they helped the Ravens have a competitive offense, something that sorely lacked for years.

The concern is many players in their second years tend to struggle a bit. Will this happen in Baltimore? Also, will the departure of defensive coordinator Rex Ryan affect their defense?

If either question's answer is "Yes," then the Ravens might in fact slide down in the standings.

3. Will there be a Super Bowl hangover in Pittsburgh?

Last year was obviously a very successful year for the Steelers, who became the first NFL team in history to win six Super Bowls.

Now their “one for the thumb” slogan of 2008 has now become one for the index, and with much of its team returning, there should be no reason to believe they can’t compete for another championship.

Heck, their schedule is even easier, though games against the Patriots, Colts and Chargers are never easy.

However, some teams that have reached the pinnacle of their sport have a tendency to struggle the following year.

Just ask the Steelers themselves who after winning Super Bowl XL, finished just 8-8 and out of the playoffs the following season.

If that happens again this year, their division will surely capitalize.

4. Will a new era in Cleveland help the Browns prosper?

There was a lot of hope in Cleveland heading into 2008.

Players like Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. had career years en route to a 10-6 2007 season that had people thinking playoffs for years to come.

But it was not meant to be as Anderson struggled and was benched, Edwards could not hold on to a ball, the defense fell apart and Winslow was injured and is now on the Buccaneers.

Not surprisingly, Romeo Crennel was fired and former Jets coach Eric Mangini was hired to bring respectability brought back to the Browns.

Mangini immediately began the rebuild of this team by first trading the fifth pick in the draft to his old team the Jets so they could gain extra draft picks. They were used to draft center Alex Mack, and a new core group of wide receivers to compliment Edwards.

Return man extraordinaire Joshua Cribbs appears to be coming back to the team after he previously had asked to be traded. Brady Quinn also appears to be in control at quarterback.

The question is can the Browns capture the magic they had in 2007?

If they can, this team could sneak up on its rivals.

The smart money this year will surely be on Pittsburgh to dominate the division again this year, but the Baltimore Ravens have every right to feel they can contend for the AFC North crown.  But this is the beauty of the NFL.

The second you feel a prediction is safe, it goes by the wayside.

For the Ravens, Bengals and Browns, they surely hope 2009 is the case again.