AFC North Preview
Kristian Wiles
September 1, 2009
Posted under AFC North, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens
Summary: The Ravens were one game away from the Super Bowl last season but were stopped short by their division rivals, the Steelers. They continue to feature a top defense with some new faces and have an offense that is a year more experienced as a unit. The additions made this off-season should help the Ravens compete for the division title and possibly a championship.
Who to Watch: QB Joe Flacco is entering into his sophomore season as the Baltimore starter and according to reports is going to be given more opportunities to throw the ball. Coaches are hoping that he will spread passes around to more than just his two favorite targets, WRs Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton. Even with more trust in their QB, the Ravens will continue to be a power running team. Now that the offense features three RBs, much like the Giants did during their Super Bowl run, additional production from Flacco could be enough to get Baltimore over the hump.
Fantasy Picks: Since McGahee will share carries with McClain and Rice this season and knowing Flacco’s role as a game manager, I would shy away from most of this offense for your fantasy team. As always, the Baltimore defense is a threat to put points on the board and would be among my top choices for your team.
Projected Finish: 12-4, 1st in the division
Cincinnati Bengals
Summary: The talk in Cincinnati is that the Bengals might be an NFL surprise this season. Marvin Lewis has his QB back and healthy, his star receiver focused, and his defense looking to improve upon the strides they made last season. However, if they are going to unseat the Steelers and Ravens in this division they have a long road ahead.
Who to Watch: A 4-12 team is going to have many areas to improve upon. The defense struggled last season, in large part, because the offense wasn’t able to put points on the board. Even if we assume that Carson Palmer will stay healthy, the Bengals’ offensive line needs to protect their QB and open up holes for RB Cedric Benson. With all of the new faces on the line it is hard to predict how they will do, especially early. That said, as goes the new o-line unit, so goes the Bengals.
Fantasy Picks: Carson Palmer was a top pick at QB just a couple years ago. Look for him to return to similar form this season. WRs Chad Johnson, Chris Henry, and Laveranues Coles will also have good years as each is motivated to prove they can still make plays. Benson is a bigger question mark at RB but could be a great pickup if he continues where he left off late in 2008.
Projected Finish; 7-9, 3rd in the division
Cleveland Browns
Summary: Lots of changes in Cleveland this spring and summer, all starting with the hiring of head coach Eric Mangini. His disciplined approach might be just what many of the underperforming players on this team need. However, I think it might be too difficult for Mangini to turn it completely around with all of the changes made in Cleveland this off-season.
Who to Watch: There currently are several unanswered questions for the Browns. Will the defense come together and improve under a new scheme? Will WR Braylon Edwards return back to his 2007 form? Will RB Jamal Lewis? However, the biggest question still unanswered in Cleveland is at quarterback. At this point my money is on 2nd year QB Brady Quinn but neither Quinn nor Anderson have set themselves apart last year or this preseason.
Fantasy Picks: Jamal Lewis has been great in years past but could lose carries to Jerome Harrison and rookie James Davis. Braylon Edwards should benefit from Mangini’s discipline and a balanced approach on offense. We should see him back to his old self.
Projected Finish: 6-10, 4th in the division
Pittsburgh Steelers
Summary: The defending champs had quite a run last season, winning many of their games in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter. Now, like all champions, they are going to take everyone’s best shot as they attempt to repeat. That’s what makes it difficult to pick the Steelers to do it over again.
Who to Watch: The Steelers defense looks to be just as good as last season with the few new faces surrounded by veterans. On the offensive side of the ball there are still questions about the protection of QB Ben Roethlisberger who has been sacked 139 times over the last three seasons. The star QB was banged up at various times throughout the season last year but was able to play through the pain. It is hard to imagine how this pace won’t catch up with Big Ben. Pittsburgh better hope that the trend changes or their franchise guy will end up on the sidelines watching someone else lead his team.
Fantasy Picks: Roethlisberger has never been a top 10 QB in fantasy scoring and I don’t expect him to change this season. It is still somewhat unclear how the carries will be split among the running backs and therefore Willie Parker might not be a great early round pick either. As with Baltimore, the defense should be high on your draft board.
Projected Finish: 10-6, 2nd in the division
Well Mr. Wiles, I agree with you for the most part except for the order of 1st and 2nd place. My question to you is how does Baltimore finish ahead of Pittsburgh? Remember the Steelers beat the Ravens 3 times last year! Once is a fluke, Twice is a pattern, three times is straight up Domination!!!
I really do not see how the Ravens bettered themselves this offseason. I realize their defense is great but they did lose their defensive coordinator, key LB Bart Scott, and CB Rolle is out for at least 6 games.
The Steelers have RB Rashard Mendenhall coming back and in my mind he will be starter by the end of season. For the most part their championship team returns. I understand how hard it is to repeat as Super Bowl Champs and I do not think will but I do think they repeat as division champs.