The Cincinnati Bengals came out of nowhere last season to win the AFC North. This year, with the signings of WR Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens, to complement WR Chad Ochocino they are considered by many to be the favorites in the AFC North. The usual AFC North favorite, the Pittsburgh Steelers, come into the season with major questions. Will QB Ben Roethlisberger be suspended for six games or four? How effective will he be when he returns from his layoff? What if Byron Leftwhich leads the team to wins while Roethlisberger is out, does he just give up the job? The Baltimore Ravens think that the addition of WR Anquan Boldin should be enough to get them to the playoffs for the third straight season. While others might be sold on him I still have my doubts about QB Joe Flacco. The Cleveland Browns welcomed Mike Holmgren to try to right the ship. Unfortunately, they brought him on to run football operations, where his success is almost non-existent. Handling the AFC North preview is my cousin Josh, who I must give full disclosure is a huge Steelers fan. You can see my predictions for the AFC North at the bottom of the post.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2009 Record: 10-6, 1st place AFC North
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (8th year Cincinnati, 56-55-1 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=CIN&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: WR Terrell Owens, CB Adam “Pacman” Jones, TE Jermaine Gresham
Key Losses: WR Chris Henry (Death), WR Laveranues Coles, RB Larry Johnson
2010 Outlook: Many people think the Bengals are a real contender as long as they can keep the long list of criminals, outcasts, and egomaniacs under control. That alone might be enough to make people question their legitimacy but they also need to prove Cedric Benson wasn’t a one year fluke and that Carson Palmer is the elite passer he once was.That being said they have a slew of solid cornerbacks, a premier pass rusher in Antwaan Odom and a young, talented group of linebackers. Don’t look now but the Bengals might have surpassed the Ravens as the second best defense in the division.
Prediction: 11-5
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
2009 Record: 9-7, 3rd place AFC North
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (4th year Steelers, 31-17 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=PIT&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: CB Bryant McFadden, WR Antwaan Randle El, C Markice Pouncey
Key Losses: WR Santonio Holmes, RT Willie Colon (Injury), RB Willie Parker
2010 Outlook: The Steelers might be one of the hardest teams to figure out this season. The roster is largely the same as 2008 when they won the Super Bowl, and yet they had so many weaknesses in 2009 that its hard to see them going all the way again. If Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith stay healthy, Pittsburgh might have the leagues top defense again. Offensively, the only real question is another patchwork offensive line. Despite Ben Roethlisberger’s six game suspension the team has a distinct chance of a playoff run.
Prediction: 10-6
3. Baltimore Ravens
2009 Record: 9-7, 2nd place AFC North
Head Coach: John Harbaugh (3rd year Ravens, 20-12 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=BAL&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: WR Anquan Boldin, WR Donte Stallworth WR, NT Terrance Cody
Key Losses: CB Dominique Foxworth (Injury), CB Samari Rolle (Retired)
2010 Outlook: The Ravens are certainly paper giants. They’ve added a top receiver to a great run game, a solid quarterback and an always formidable defense. That being said they are losing players to injury as easily as the Browns lose games. If Ed Reed is as hurt as he says he is and if Ladarius Webb and Fabian Washington can’t recover quickly the Raves defense might be their worst in years. Offensively, they have great weapons but almost all of their offensive linemen have missed time due to injury in training camp. Still a dangerous team but the injury bug might have stolen some of their bite.
Prediction: 10-6
4. Cleveland Browns
2009 Record: Awful…again, 5-11, last place in AFC North
Head Coach: Eric Mangini (2nd year Browns, 28-36 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=CLE&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: GM Mike Holgram, QB Jake Delhomme, CB Joe Haden
Key Losses: QB Brady Quinn, QB Derek Anderson, a few other below average players
2010 Outlook: With Holmgram at the helm the future might be brighter for the Browns but it won’t be a fast improvement. Outside of Haden and Joe Thomas, Eric Mangini is Old Mother Hubbard and there’s not much talent in the cupboard. Delhomme has shown he is no longer a dangerous Quarterback and he doesn’t have many weapons to work with. They also had the second worst defense in the NFL in 2009. Perhaps the Browns win an extra game, maybe two but they should be pleased with a .500 season.
Prediction: 5-11
Chris' AFC North Predictions:
1. Baltimore, 11-5
2. Pittsburgh, 10-6
3. Cincinnati, 9-7
4. Cleveland, 5-11
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