2011 AFC North Preview: Will the Steelers Defend?

The more hits he takes, the shorter his career is getting

Since the realignment in 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers have won the division five times, the Cincinnati Bengals twice and the Baltimore Ravens twice as well. In other words, the Steelers have been the epitome of the AFC north for nearly the past decade.

The AFC North has also been known as one of the scrappiest, muddiest, knock down-drag out divisions in the league, especially when the Bengals are competitive. On top of that, the Steeler vs. Ravens games have come to surface as one of the top rivalries in the league. So who will win this year?

4. Cincinnati Bengals – 2010 record (4-12)

The Cincinnati Bengals appear to be headed in the right direction, but we’ve heard that talk before. They drafted Carson Palmer to be the franchise QB and that appeared to hold true until Palmer blew out his knee in the 2005-06 playoffs while playing the Steelers. He never quite was the same and we all know of Palmers’ current situation, begging to have the opposite of a story book ending.

The Bengals could be competitive as soon as the 2012 season. They just signed Leon Hall to a contract extension and already have a very talented defense. With Dalton getting a year under his belt and the team under OC Jim Gruden’s system for a year, the offense could start picking up. Until then, expect an anemic offense and a lack of wins.

3. Cleveland Browns – 2010 record (5-11)

Let’s face it. You might as well flip a coin to determine who you think will finish last in the division. The Bengals have no offense, while the Browns have no defense. Joe Haden and Phil Taylor are anchoring a promising defense, but until they can get a pass rush, they won’t be very competitive, especially with a very weak linebacking corps, along with some holes in the secondary after Haden and TJ Ward.

What puts them over the Bengals are their game changers right now. McCoy has a leg up on Dalton, Peyton Hillis can bust a big run on any given play and Haden can change the game at any moment (six interceptions in 2010). Dalton likely won’t be able to utilize Green yet, they have no running game and they won’t be able to keep the defense off the field.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers – 2010 record (12-4, Division Champs)

The Steelers, like I said, have been the model of consistency for the rest of the division over the past decade. However, with the Ravens improving this offseason, one has to wonder if the Steelers will be able to keep the pace this year.

With Ben Roethlisberger getting sacked 41 times last year and the o-line giving up 52 sacks in all, second most to the Bears, I worry about Big Ben. We all know he can avoid the sacks, but he has to wear down eventually and even if it isn’t this year, his future has to be in jeopardy. Despite that, their defense is top notch and this team will easily make the playoffs, even if it is a wild card spot.

1. Baltimore Ravens – 2010 record (12-4)

While the Steelers didn’t necessarily take a step back, I believe the Ravens took a step forward. Along with Anquan Boldin, Joe Flacco now has Lee Evans and Torrey Smith to throw to. After they cut Todd Heap and Derrick Mason, they could retain their entire starting offensive line and add Vontae Leach to bolster the running attack.

The defense will be stifling as always and the offense will be slightly better. Flacco is 0-6 against the Steelers when Big Ben starts and this could be the year he gets over the proverbial hump. If he can do that, the Ravens should capture the division by a narrow margin. Bottom line, not many people are buying into their revamped receiving corps, but I am. The Ravens get the division in 2011.