NFL Preview: AFC
With Dallas being my pick to go to the Super Bowl from the NFC, now it's time to make a prediction for the AFC. A look at each team, saving the Bengals for last of course.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills, 6-10 (in 2009) missed playoffs: The Bills come into the 2010 season with a lot of question marks. I'm guessing that Trent Edwards will be the starting quarterback, but has not been that successful in his starts. Former Bengal, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the backup and played okay last year after Edwards went down with an injury. The Bills still were 30th in the league at passing and need to improve if they have any shot of competing. Speaking of injuries, the Bills have been hit early by the injury bug. Running backs, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch have gotten hurt in the preseason, which has opened the door for rookie RB C.J. Spiller out of Clemson. Leading receiver, Terrell Owens, is now a Bengal and the defense was ranked 30th in the league in rushing yards allowed last year. I'm thinking it might be another long and cold season in Buffalo.
Miami Dolphins, 7-9 missed playoffs: The Dolphins have a real shot to contend with the Jets and the Patriots in the AFC East this year, but it will not be easy. QB Chad Henne will go into the season as the starter for the first time after taking over for the injured Chad Pennington last year. Henne has a new weapon to throw to in Brandon Marshall, who was traded to the Dolphins from Denver in the offseason. Marshall is one of the top receivers in the game and should help Henne tremendously. RB's Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown give Henne options out of the backfield and the Dolphins are the best at running the Wildcat formation. Should be a good year for the Dolphins, but would be even better if they were in a different division.
New England Patriots, 10-6 won Division: I never have and never will be a Patriots fan, but I have to say that they have a solid team every season. QB Tom Brady has won three Super Bowl's and is one of the top quarterbacks in the game, but it helps when you are surrounded by great talent, year in and year out. It helps when you have the best slot receiver in the league in Wes Welker and a future Hall of Famer in Randy Moss to throw to, as well. The Patriots will once again be one of the elite teams in the NFL this season, but their defense must play well if they have any shot at going deep into the playoffs.
New York Jets, 9-7 Wild Card berth, lost to the Colts in the AFC Championship: The J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, are going to be pretty good again this year. The Jets made some major changes in the offseason and their roster is now filled with Pro Bowler players. The Jets have added players like WR Santonio Holmes, who caught the game winning pass in the Super Bowl for the Steelers. I still don't think he got both feet down, but whatever. LB Jason Taylor who should be in Hall when he retires, is now a Jet. CB Antonio Cromartie is a great complement to one of the best corners in the NFL, Darrelle Revis. Oh, and one of the best running backs of all-time in LT, LaDainian Tomlinson. In addition to those players, most of the starters are back from last year's team and the Jets looked poised to make a playoff run once again. The Jets ultimate success comes down to QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez threw 12 TD and 20 INT last year and he must play better if the Jets are to go to the Super Bowl. The Jets defense is one of the best in the league was number one in defending the pass. They were also the number one rushing team in the NFL. Teams are going to load the box to stop the run and they will make Mark Sanchez beat them with his arm this season. Will he be ready?
AFC South
Houston Texans, 9-7 missed playoffs: The Houston Texans have never been to the postseason in their short history and this just might be there year. Houston was on the verge of the playoffs last year, but fell just short. The Texans return some outstanding talent on both sides of the ball, talent that is good enough to get them to the playoffs. QB Matt Schaub surprised everyone last year by leading the league in passing yards and throwing 29 TD's. His main target, WR Andre Johnson led the league in receiving yards and caught 101 balls, including 9 of Schaub's TD. Johnson is arguably the best receiver in the league and is a tough match up for any corner in the league. On defense the Texans are young, but have some of the best young talent around. DE Mario Williams, and LB's Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans lead the Texans defense that was solid last year. The Texans might just make the playoffs for the first time in 2010, but they do have tough schedule.
Indianapolis Colts, 14-2 won Division, lost to Saints in Super Bowl XLIV: I can't remember the last time that the Colts missed the playoff, because it seems like they make it every year. As long as #18 is under center for the Colts, they will for sure make the playoffs and can make another run at the Super Bowl. QB Peyton Manning has a great offensive line, and weapons in WR's Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Anthony Gonzalez, RB Joesph Addai and TE Dallas Clark to name a few. DE's Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis and S Bob Sanders are the Pro Bowlers on defense that needs to play well . The Colts will, yet again, have a great chance to go to the Super Bowl.
Jacksonville Jaguars, 7-9 missed playoffs: It could be a long season in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have struggled to fill the seats the past few seasons and another year of losing will not bod well for the Jags. Even though they have one of the best running backs in the league in MDJ, Maurice Jones-Drew, that's about it. I have never been a fan of QB David Garrard and if I were the Jags I would have taken QB Tim Tebow in the draft. Not only would he fill the seats, seeing how it is Florida, and I don' think Garrard is the real answer at QB. Jacksonville is in for a long season in this man's opinion.
Tennessee Titans, 8-8 missed playoffs: This is the year that we find out about QB Vince Young. It's officially Vince Young's job to lose and the Titans success will rely on him. RB Chris Johnson ran for 2,006 yards last year, yeah that's right over 2,000 yards rushing and had 50 receptions, not to mention 16 total TD's. Just like I said with the Jets, look for teams to load the box to stop Chris Johnson and force Young to beat them with his arm.
AFC West
Denver Broncos, 8-8 missed playoffs: Denver got off to a fast start last season by going 6-0, but finished the year 2-8 and missed the playoffs. The Broncos will have Kyle Orton as their quarterback, but Tim Tebow is waiting on the sideline. I'm guessing that Tebow will probably not be the starting QB in any of Denver's games this season, but it's a good bet that you will see him on the field at some point. Head coach Josh McDainels is a great offensive mind and will probably have some plays for Tebow. Look for Tim to come in on sort yardage and goal line situations and Wildcat formations. Denver will have to play without their best defender in Elvis Dumervil, who tore a pectoral muscle in training camp, who lead the league with 17 sacks in 2009. Don't except to see Denver in the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs, 4-12 missed playoffs: The Chiefs should have a better season this year in head coach Todd Haley's second year and Charlie Weis is the new offensive coordinator. Weis returns to the NFL after a stint at Notre Dame and will team up with former New England Patriot QB Matt Cassel, who was the backup to Tom Brady in New England. I bet that Weis will try and duplicate the success he had with Brady in New England and try and make Matt Cassel a Pro Bowl QB. Weis will also have a great weapon in RB Jamaal Charles to draw up plays for and the Kansas City offense should be better in 2010, but still won't be enough for a playoff berth.
Oakland Raiders, 5-11 missed playoffs: "The Raaaaaaaaaaaiders," another Chris Berman saying, sorry but that guy is the one of the best. Anyway, the Raiders might actually be good this year, but every year people think that and end up disappointed. The Raiders finally got Cable a few years ago, with the hiring of head coach Tom Cable, great one Berman, and this year they want to return to the playoffs. JaMarcus Russell is finally gone, thank god. That guy will go down as the worst number one picks in the history of professional sports. QB Jason Campbell is now the starting quarterback after being traded from the Redskins and will try and revive a bad Raiders offense. CB Nnamdi Asomugha leads a decent defense, but they were on the field a lot last year, because the offense was so bad. The Raiders will still probably be one of the worse teams in the league, but not as much as a laughing stock.
San Diego Chargers, 13-3 won Division: The Chargers are a legitimate threat to go all the way to the Super Bowl and once again they have plenty of talent. Philip Rivers is a great quarterback and with TE Antonio Gates, WR Vincent Jackson and RB Darren Sproles, the offense will score a lot of points. A familiar face in the Charger backfield in LT is gone and rookie Ryan Mathews out of Fresno State will be asked to care the load. The lightning bolts defense is good and if they can stay health, watch out for the Chargers. They should win their first 6 games of the season easily before the Patriots come to town and I like the Chargers chances of making not only the playoffs, but the Super Bowl.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens, 9-7 Wild Card Berth: The Ravens a very good chance of going all the way to the Super Bowl this year, but it will not be easy. Baltimore returns most of their stars from last year in QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, WR Derrick Mason, LB Ray Lewis and hopefully S Ed Reed. The Ravens defense is one of the best in the league every year and this year should be no different. They need Ed Reed to solidify the secondary and with Flacco going into his third year the offense should be even better. Plus with the addition of WR Anquan Boldin, Flacco will have a deep threat to throw to and Boldin will open up more running room for Rice. I really like the Ravens chances, but they have to go through the Bengals first.
Cleveland Browns, 5-11 missed playoffs: Will the Browns ever be good again? Well, at least they are trying to improve their team. The Browns went out and got former head coach Mike Holmgren to be the team president and he has started to work his magic. Holmgren got rid of QB's Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson and brought in QB's Seneca Wallace, who he coached in Seattle, Jake Delhomme from Carolina and drafted Colt McCoy out of Texas. McCoy is not ready to take the reins this season, so look for Delhomme to start for the Browns as McCoy watches from the sidelines. Give Holmgren a little time in Cleveland and he will turn the Browns around, but don't look for a complete turn around this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers, 9-7 missed playoffs: The Steelers missed the playoffs last year and to show how much I hate the Steelers, I was more happy they didn't make the playoffs than I was that Bengals made the playoffs. The Steelers had a tough offseason, in particular QB Ben Roethlisberger, who will be suspended for the first 6 games of the season. Big Ben, being the complete moron that he is, thought it would be a great idea to go to a small Georgia college town club and have a few drinks with some friends. He managed to get charged with sexual assault inside a women's restroom, but the charges were later dropped. Great job. This tops Big Ben crashing his motorcycle and almost killing himself because he wasn't wearing a helmet. I can't stand the Steelers and I hope they lose all 16 games this season, but hopefully they be out of the hunt when Ben comes back from his suspension. Can you tell that I hate the Steelers?
Now for how I think the Cincinnati Bengals will fare in the 2010.
Cincinnati Bengals, 10-6 won Division: After looking over the roster and the schedule I think that the Bengals will indeed make the playoffs for the second straight year. The Bengals have only made the playoffs twice in my lifetime and I would love to see them make it for a third time. But it will not be easy. The Bengals have one of the toughest schedules in the league, but in order to be the best you have to beat the best. Let's take a look at the schedule.
I think the Bengals will win at least 6 or 7 games, as they should beat the Browns twice, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Miami and Atlanta. They should win all of these games and if they take care of business with these teams they only need 3 or 4 more wins to get into the playoffs. I also think that they can again go undefeated in the division. The Steelers are in for a down year in my opinion and Baltimore has gotten better, but the Bengals can still beat them. We should beat the Ravens at home in week two and we don't play at Baltimore until the last week of the season, and it might be all over by then. Some let's add 3 more wins to the Bengals total, maybe even 4 more. They are now at about 9 or 10 wins. That should be enough to get into the playoffs. The rest of games will be tough, as winning the division last year comes with a high price this year.
Since the Bengals won the division they have to face the other first place teams in the AFC. This year they were already scheduled to play the Patriots and the Jets, but that's not all. They also have to go to Indianapolis and have a Sunday night game against the San Diego Chargers. Plus, the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints come to town in week 13. I think that the Bengals are capable of beating all of these teams, but right now it's a toss up. At best, I see the Bengals winning 13 games, but it might be a little unrealistic.
My overall prediction is that the Bengals will go 11-5 and clinch a Wild Card Berth. I think Baltimore will win the division, but the Bengals still make the playoffs. The Bengals will beat Baltimore once, Cleveland and Pittsburgh twice, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Miami, Buffalo, and the New York Jets. I think they will lose to New England to start the season, but they can will their next 7 game before going to Indy. Peyton will be too much for the Bengals, as will Drew Brees and the Saints. Then I think they will lose to San Diego in week 16 on Sunday night and week 17 against Baltimore will probably be a meaningless game, as both the Ravens and Bengals will have locked up playoff spots by then. I never thought I would see the Reds and Bengals in the playoffs in the same year and it just might happen. It's a miracle that the Reds have been this good and God usually only works one miracle at a time, but I'm hoping for two. Now for the AFC awards.
AFC Awards:
AFC Offensive Player of the Year: RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans. Chris Johnson rushed for over 2,000 yards last year and his goal for 2010 is 2,500 yards. The guy is one of the best running backs I have seen in the past few years and I think he will get to 2,500.
AFC Defensive Player of the Year: This is a tough one, there a lot of great defensive players in the league and I don't know who to choose. I really like the chances for a Houston Texan to win the award. LB DeMeco Ryans, LB Brian Cushing, and DE Mario Williams are all talented enough to win. But don't count out a Baltimore Raven either in LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed. And if CB Darrelle Revis ever signs a new contract with the Jets, he has a great chance as well. Maybe even a Bengals wins it, corners Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph are two of the best.
AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers. Mathews will get the majority of the carries with LT gone and will have success on a talented Chargers offense. Also, don't count out Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham. He should be a main target for Carson Palmer, as T.O., Ochocinco and Cedric Benson will get most of the defense's attention.
AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year: S Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs. Going into the draft all of the analysts said that Berry was the most pro ready defensive back in the draft. He will start for the Chiefs and is in for a big rookie season.
Predicted AFC Standings
X-clinched playoff spot, Y-clinched division, Z-clinched home field advantage, *-clinched first round bye
AFC EAST
Y-New York Jets: 11-5
X-New England Patriots: 10-6
Miami Dolphins: 9-7
Buffalo Bills: 4-12
AFC SOUTH
Z-*Indianapolis Colts: 13-3
Tennessee Titans: 10-6
Houston Texans: 9-7
Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-11
AFC WEST
Y-*San Diego Chargers: 13-3
Denver Broncos: 8-8
Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10
Oakland Raiders: 5-11
AFC NORTH
Y-Baltimore Ravens: 12-4
X-Cincinnati Bengals: 11-5
Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-9
Cleveland Browns: 5-11
AFC Playoffs
Wild Card Round
Cincinnati over New York Jets, the Bengals will avenge the loss in last years playoffs and knock Rex Ryan and the Jets out of the postseason.
Baltimore over New England, Ravens beat the Patriots in the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Divisional Round
Cincinnati over Indianapolis, that's right, I see them not only winning their first playoff game in about 20 years, but their second playoff game. The Cincinnati Reds have had a magically year and it continues with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Baltimore over San Diego, Ravens win a close one in San Diego
AFC Championship
Cincinnati over Baltimore, it will come down to the two best teams in the toughest division in the AFC. The Bengals will go into Baltimore and take care of the Ravens on their way to playing Dallas in the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLV
Cincinnati vs. Dallas
This will be a great game, both teams are good on both sides of the ball and it I think it will come down to the play of the two quarterbacks, Carson Palmer and Tony Romo. Seeing how the Super Bowl is in Dallas, the Cowboys will have home field advantage, but I know that this is the Bengals year and they will win their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Everyone will probably think I'm only picking the Bengals because they are my team, which is true, but I really feel that they can win it all.
The offense is loaded with weapons for Carson to throw to in T.O, Chad, Gresham, Shipley and don't forget Cedric Benson. If the o-line can block for Benson and Carson they will put up 20-30 points a game easy. Then on defense, Mike Zimmer is the best defensive coordinator the Bengals have ever had and one of the best in the league. The defense will be ready to play and if they can keep the Bengals in it, the offense will do the rest.
The Reds are going to the playoffs and have a real shot to win it and so will the Bengals. I never thought I would see the day when both of my teams, the Reds and Bengals, were no longer the laughing stocks of their leagues. It has been a magically season in Cincinnati so far and let's just hope it continues. It might take a mircale for the Reds and Bengals to both win championships in the same season, but it's a miracle that they are as good as they are. Can't wait for the MLB playoffs and of course football. Everyone has a prediction, but I'm ready to settle the debate on the field. Gonna be a great NFL season.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills, 6-10 (in 2009) missed playoffs: The Bills come into the 2010 season with a lot of question marks. I'm guessing that Trent Edwards will be the starting quarterback, but has not been that successful in his starts. Former Bengal, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the backup and played okay last year after Edwards went down with an injury. The Bills still were 30th in the league at passing and need to improve if they have any shot of competing. Speaking of injuries, the Bills have been hit early by the injury bug. Running backs, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch have gotten hurt in the preseason, which has opened the door for rookie RB C.J. Spiller out of Clemson. Leading receiver, Terrell Owens, is now a Bengal and the defense was ranked 30th in the league in rushing yards allowed last year. I'm thinking it might be another long and cold season in Buffalo.
Miami Dolphins, 7-9 missed playoffs: The Dolphins have a real shot to contend with the Jets and the Patriots in the AFC East this year, but it will not be easy. QB Chad Henne will go into the season as the starter for the first time after taking over for the injured Chad Pennington last year. Henne has a new weapon to throw to in Brandon Marshall, who was traded to the Dolphins from Denver in the offseason. Marshall is one of the top receivers in the game and should help Henne tremendously. RB's Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown give Henne options out of the backfield and the Dolphins are the best at running the Wildcat formation. Should be a good year for the Dolphins, but would be even better if they were in a different division.
New England Patriots, 10-6 won Division: I never have and never will be a Patriots fan, but I have to say that they have a solid team every season. QB Tom Brady has won three Super Bowl's and is one of the top quarterbacks in the game, but it helps when you are surrounded by great talent, year in and year out. It helps when you have the best slot receiver in the league in Wes Welker and a future Hall of Famer in Randy Moss to throw to, as well. The Patriots will once again be one of the elite teams in the NFL this season, but their defense must play well if they have any shot at going deep into the playoffs.
New York Jets, 9-7 Wild Card berth, lost to the Colts in the AFC Championship: The J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, are going to be pretty good again this year. The Jets made some major changes in the offseason and their roster is now filled with Pro Bowler players. The Jets have added players like WR Santonio Holmes, who caught the game winning pass in the Super Bowl for the Steelers. I still don't think he got both feet down, but whatever. LB Jason Taylor who should be in Hall when he retires, is now a Jet. CB Antonio Cromartie is a great complement to one of the best corners in the NFL, Darrelle Revis. Oh, and one of the best running backs of all-time in LT, LaDainian Tomlinson. In addition to those players, most of the starters are back from last year's team and the Jets looked poised to make a playoff run once again. The Jets ultimate success comes down to QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez threw 12 TD and 20 INT last year and he must play better if the Jets are to go to the Super Bowl. The Jets defense is one of the best in the league was number one in defending the pass. They were also the number one rushing team in the NFL. Teams are going to load the box to stop the run and they will make Mark Sanchez beat them with his arm this season. Will he be ready?
AFC South
Houston Texans, 9-7 missed playoffs: The Houston Texans have never been to the postseason in their short history and this just might be there year. Houston was on the verge of the playoffs last year, but fell just short. The Texans return some outstanding talent on both sides of the ball, talent that is good enough to get them to the playoffs. QB Matt Schaub surprised everyone last year by leading the league in passing yards and throwing 29 TD's. His main target, WR Andre Johnson led the league in receiving yards and caught 101 balls, including 9 of Schaub's TD. Johnson is arguably the best receiver in the league and is a tough match up for any corner in the league. On defense the Texans are young, but have some of the best young talent around. DE Mario Williams, and LB's Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans lead the Texans defense that was solid last year. The Texans might just make the playoffs for the first time in 2010, but they do have tough schedule.
Indianapolis Colts, 14-2 won Division, lost to Saints in Super Bowl XLIV: I can't remember the last time that the Colts missed the playoff, because it seems like they make it every year. As long as #18 is under center for the Colts, they will for sure make the playoffs and can make another run at the Super Bowl. QB Peyton Manning has a great offensive line, and weapons in WR's Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Anthony Gonzalez, RB Joesph Addai and TE Dallas Clark to name a few. DE's Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis and S Bob Sanders are the Pro Bowlers on defense that needs to play well . The Colts will, yet again, have a great chance to go to the Super Bowl.
Jacksonville Jaguars, 7-9 missed playoffs: It could be a long season in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have struggled to fill the seats the past few seasons and another year of losing will not bod well for the Jags. Even though they have one of the best running backs in the league in MDJ, Maurice Jones-Drew, that's about it. I have never been a fan of QB David Garrard and if I were the Jags I would have taken QB Tim Tebow in the draft. Not only would he fill the seats, seeing how it is Florida, and I don' think Garrard is the real answer at QB. Jacksonville is in for a long season in this man's opinion.
Tennessee Titans, 8-8 missed playoffs: This is the year that we find out about QB Vince Young. It's officially Vince Young's job to lose and the Titans success will rely on him. RB Chris Johnson ran for 2,006 yards last year, yeah that's right over 2,000 yards rushing and had 50 receptions, not to mention 16 total TD's. Just like I said with the Jets, look for teams to load the box to stop Chris Johnson and force Young to beat them with his arm.
AFC West
Denver Broncos, 8-8 missed playoffs: Denver got off to a fast start last season by going 6-0, but finished the year 2-8 and missed the playoffs. The Broncos will have Kyle Orton as their quarterback, but Tim Tebow is waiting on the sideline. I'm guessing that Tebow will probably not be the starting QB in any of Denver's games this season, but it's a good bet that you will see him on the field at some point. Head coach Josh McDainels is a great offensive mind and will probably have some plays for Tebow. Look for Tim to come in on sort yardage and goal line situations and Wildcat formations. Denver will have to play without their best defender in Elvis Dumervil, who tore a pectoral muscle in training camp, who lead the league with 17 sacks in 2009. Don't except to see Denver in the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs, 4-12 missed playoffs: The Chiefs should have a better season this year in head coach Todd Haley's second year and Charlie Weis is the new offensive coordinator. Weis returns to the NFL after a stint at Notre Dame and will team up with former New England Patriot QB Matt Cassel, who was the backup to Tom Brady in New England. I bet that Weis will try and duplicate the success he had with Brady in New England and try and make Matt Cassel a Pro Bowl QB. Weis will also have a great weapon in RB Jamaal Charles to draw up plays for and the Kansas City offense should be better in 2010, but still won't be enough for a playoff berth.
Oakland Raiders, 5-11 missed playoffs: "The Raaaaaaaaaaaiders," another Chris Berman saying, sorry but that guy is the one of the best. Anyway, the Raiders might actually be good this year, but every year people think that and end up disappointed. The Raiders finally got Cable a few years ago, with the hiring of head coach Tom Cable, great one Berman, and this year they want to return to the playoffs. JaMarcus Russell is finally gone, thank god. That guy will go down as the worst number one picks in the history of professional sports. QB Jason Campbell is now the starting quarterback after being traded from the Redskins and will try and revive a bad Raiders offense. CB Nnamdi Asomugha leads a decent defense, but they were on the field a lot last year, because the offense was so bad. The Raiders will still probably be one of the worse teams in the league, but not as much as a laughing stock.
San Diego Chargers, 13-3 won Division: The Chargers are a legitimate threat to go all the way to the Super Bowl and once again they have plenty of talent. Philip Rivers is a great quarterback and with TE Antonio Gates, WR Vincent Jackson and RB Darren Sproles, the offense will score a lot of points. A familiar face in the Charger backfield in LT is gone and rookie Ryan Mathews out of Fresno State will be asked to care the load. The lightning bolts defense is good and if they can stay health, watch out for the Chargers. They should win their first 6 games of the season easily before the Patriots come to town and I like the Chargers chances of making not only the playoffs, but the Super Bowl.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens, 9-7 Wild Card Berth: The Ravens a very good chance of going all the way to the Super Bowl this year, but it will not be easy. Baltimore returns most of their stars from last year in QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, WR Derrick Mason, LB Ray Lewis and hopefully S Ed Reed. The Ravens defense is one of the best in the league every year and this year should be no different. They need Ed Reed to solidify the secondary and with Flacco going into his third year the offense should be even better. Plus with the addition of WR Anquan Boldin, Flacco will have a deep threat to throw to and Boldin will open up more running room for Rice. I really like the Ravens chances, but they have to go through the Bengals first.
Cleveland Browns, 5-11 missed playoffs: Will the Browns ever be good again? Well, at least they are trying to improve their team. The Browns went out and got former head coach Mike Holmgren to be the team president and he has started to work his magic. Holmgren got rid of QB's Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson and brought in QB's Seneca Wallace, who he coached in Seattle, Jake Delhomme from Carolina and drafted Colt McCoy out of Texas. McCoy is not ready to take the reins this season, so look for Delhomme to start for the Browns as McCoy watches from the sidelines. Give Holmgren a little time in Cleveland and he will turn the Browns around, but don't look for a complete turn around this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers, 9-7 missed playoffs: The Steelers missed the playoffs last year and to show how much I hate the Steelers, I was more happy they didn't make the playoffs than I was that Bengals made the playoffs. The Steelers had a tough offseason, in particular QB Ben Roethlisberger, who will be suspended for the first 6 games of the season. Big Ben, being the complete moron that he is, thought it would be a great idea to go to a small Georgia college town club and have a few drinks with some friends. He managed to get charged with sexual assault inside a women's restroom, but the charges were later dropped. Great job. This tops Big Ben crashing his motorcycle and almost killing himself because he wasn't wearing a helmet. I can't stand the Steelers and I hope they lose all 16 games this season, but hopefully they be out of the hunt when Ben comes back from his suspension. Can you tell that I hate the Steelers?
Now for how I think the Cincinnati Bengals will fare in the 2010.
Cincinnati Bengals, 10-6 won Division: After looking over the roster and the schedule I think that the Bengals will indeed make the playoffs for the second straight year. The Bengals have only made the playoffs twice in my lifetime and I would love to see them make it for a third time. But it will not be easy. The Bengals have one of the toughest schedules in the league, but in order to be the best you have to beat the best. Let's take a look at the schedule.
I think the Bengals will win at least 6 or 7 games, as they should beat the Browns twice, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Miami and Atlanta. They should win all of these games and if they take care of business with these teams they only need 3 or 4 more wins to get into the playoffs. I also think that they can again go undefeated in the division. The Steelers are in for a down year in my opinion and Baltimore has gotten better, but the Bengals can still beat them. We should beat the Ravens at home in week two and we don't play at Baltimore until the last week of the season, and it might be all over by then. Some let's add 3 more wins to the Bengals total, maybe even 4 more. They are now at about 9 or 10 wins. That should be enough to get into the playoffs. The rest of games will be tough, as winning the division last year comes with a high price this year.
Since the Bengals won the division they have to face the other first place teams in the AFC. This year they were already scheduled to play the Patriots and the Jets, but that's not all. They also have to go to Indianapolis and have a Sunday night game against the San Diego Chargers. Plus, the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints come to town in week 13. I think that the Bengals are capable of beating all of these teams, but right now it's a toss up. At best, I see the Bengals winning 13 games, but it might be a little unrealistic.
My overall prediction is that the Bengals will go 11-5 and clinch a Wild Card Berth. I think Baltimore will win the division, but the Bengals still make the playoffs. The Bengals will beat Baltimore once, Cleveland and Pittsburgh twice, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Miami, Buffalo, and the New York Jets. I think they will lose to New England to start the season, but they can will their next 7 game before going to Indy. Peyton will be too much for the Bengals, as will Drew Brees and the Saints. Then I think they will lose to San Diego in week 16 on Sunday night and week 17 against Baltimore will probably be a meaningless game, as both the Ravens and Bengals will have locked up playoff spots by then. I never thought I would see the Reds and Bengals in the playoffs in the same year and it just might happen. It's a miracle that the Reds have been this good and God usually only works one miracle at a time, but I'm hoping for two. Now for the AFC awards.
AFC Awards:
AFC Offensive Player of the Year: RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans. Chris Johnson rushed for over 2,000 yards last year and his goal for 2010 is 2,500 yards. The guy is one of the best running backs I have seen in the past few years and I think he will get to 2,500.
AFC Defensive Player of the Year: This is a tough one, there a lot of great defensive players in the league and I don't know who to choose. I really like the chances for a Houston Texan to win the award. LB DeMeco Ryans, LB Brian Cushing, and DE Mario Williams are all talented enough to win. But don't count out a Baltimore Raven either in LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed. And if CB Darrelle Revis ever signs a new contract with the Jets, he has a great chance as well. Maybe even a Bengals wins it, corners Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph are two of the best.
AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers. Mathews will get the majority of the carries with LT gone and will have success on a talented Chargers offense. Also, don't count out Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham. He should be a main target for Carson Palmer, as T.O., Ochocinco and Cedric Benson will get most of the defense's attention.
AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year: S Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs. Going into the draft all of the analysts said that Berry was the most pro ready defensive back in the draft. He will start for the Chiefs and is in for a big rookie season.
Predicted AFC Standings
X-clinched playoff spot, Y-clinched division, Z-clinched home field advantage, *-clinched first round bye
AFC EAST
Y-New York Jets: 11-5
X-New England Patriots: 10-6
Miami Dolphins: 9-7
Buffalo Bills: 4-12
AFC SOUTH
Z-*Indianapolis Colts: 13-3
Tennessee Titans: 10-6
Houston Texans: 9-7
Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-11
AFC WEST
Y-*San Diego Chargers: 13-3
Denver Broncos: 8-8
Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10
Oakland Raiders: 5-11
AFC NORTH
Y-Baltimore Ravens: 12-4
X-Cincinnati Bengals: 11-5
Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-9
Cleveland Browns: 5-11
AFC Playoffs
Wild Card Round
Cincinnati over New York Jets, the Bengals will avenge the loss in last years playoffs and knock Rex Ryan and the Jets out of the postseason.
Baltimore over New England, Ravens beat the Patriots in the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Divisional Round
Cincinnati over Indianapolis, that's right, I see them not only winning their first playoff game in about 20 years, but their second playoff game. The Cincinnati Reds have had a magically year and it continues with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Baltimore over San Diego, Ravens win a close one in San Diego
AFC Championship
Cincinnati over Baltimore, it will come down to the two best teams in the toughest division in the AFC. The Bengals will go into Baltimore and take care of the Ravens on their way to playing Dallas in the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLV
Cincinnati vs. Dallas
This will be a great game, both teams are good on both sides of the ball and it I think it will come down to the play of the two quarterbacks, Carson Palmer and Tony Romo. Seeing how the Super Bowl is in Dallas, the Cowboys will have home field advantage, but I know that this is the Bengals year and they will win their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Everyone will probably think I'm only picking the Bengals because they are my team, which is true, but I really feel that they can win it all.
The offense is loaded with weapons for Carson to throw to in T.O, Chad, Gresham, Shipley and don't forget Cedric Benson. If the o-line can block for Benson and Carson they will put up 20-30 points a game easy. Then on defense, Mike Zimmer is the best defensive coordinator the Bengals have ever had and one of the best in the league. The defense will be ready to play and if they can keep the Bengals in it, the offense will do the rest.
The Reds are going to the playoffs and have a real shot to win it and so will the Bengals. I never thought I would see the day when both of my teams, the Reds and Bengals, were no longer the laughing stocks of their leagues. It has been a magically season in Cincinnati so far and let's just hope it continues. It might take a mircale for the Reds and Bengals to both win championships in the same season, but it's a miracle that they are as good as they are. Can't wait for the MLB playoffs and of course football. Everyone has a prediction, but I'm ready to settle the debate on the field. Gonna be a great NFL season.
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