AFC NORTH Regular and Postseason Predictions

by TheAngelsColts on Sep 7, 2010 8:20 PM EDT

The season is drawing near, so naturally it is time to look ahead to the playoffs. No? This eight-part series takes a look at each division and discusses the outlook for every team in the NFL -- in both the regular season and playoffs.

Greg Fiume | Getty Images

AFC NORTH

TEAM: Baltimore Ravens

RECORD: 13-3 ; Win Division

REASON: The offensive and defensive lines are better, and they have two free agent receivers who should give quarterback Joe Flacco upgraded targets. The biggest question for Flacco's weapons is probably at tight end because of age. On defense they still have Ray Lewis. Their biggest question-mark defensively is their cornerbacks.

TEAM: Pittsburgh Steelers

RECORD: 8-8 ; No Playoffs

REASON: With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out for at least four games it is more difficult to predict the Steelers fate. The offense will take a step back this season as they probably will not hit their stride till at least Week 7 or 8 -- Roethlisberger's four games, the bye week, and two games for him to get back in the swing of things. Their defense should be better this year with Troy Polamalu's return.

TEAM: Cincinnati Bengals

RECORD: 8-8 No Playoffs

REASON: This is based on their play at the end of the season last year. After the tragedy on the team and injuries, they struggled to find any semblance of the team that played the first 10 games last season. Their roster does not look like one that is going to be able to pull off more than eight wins. It is unlikely that the Terrell Owens experiment will work out in their favor. It is more likely to hurt them, and Chad Ochocinco has been inconsistent the last couple of years.

TEAM: Browns

RECORD: 4-12 ; No Playoffs

REASON: The Browns did nothing this off-season that would drastically improve the team. They end up with one of the top draft picks again.

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Comments

Wow. Thought the Bengals would be a little better, no?

by Crackback on Sep 7, 2010 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

Here is my quick thought on that.

I don’t think they win more or make the playoffs and its not really cause of there schedule or anything like that. My reason is there play at the end of the season last year. To me after the tragedy on the team and other circumstances they really struggled to find any semblance of the team that played the first 10 or so games last season. Looking at there roster I just don’t see a team that is going to be able to pull off more than 8 wins. Also I don’t think the TO experiment as I call it will work out in there favor and instead may hurt them and there really is no telling what you will get with Ocho Cinco either.

Lead organizer of the annual 7 round live mock draft at MtD and Moderator of MtD, AnaheimCalling, and Coltszilla
Well I have had it with Stampede Blue for the time being... Officially Boycotting along with many other regulars.

by TheAngelsColts on Sep 7, 2010 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmm at this point I mine as well put this as my reasoning lol.

by TheAngelsColts on Sep 7, 2010 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Last year's playoff team was a shell of what they had in the beginning

Henry’s injury then death, starting DE, DT, LB, all playmakers all hurt. The Bengals could do well or poorly, but it will be a result of the off season changes and schedule. Why don’t you throw some reasons up there for every team? Any knucklehead can throw a prediction up, what does it mean without a reason? Actually, what does it even mean at all?

It turns out I overestimated my apathy, but not enough to matter.

by einman77 on Sep 9, 2010 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions