2011 NFL Preview: AFC North
The Cleveland Browns will be an improved team in 2011, but are they good enough to finally take down the Ravens and Steelers in the division? I have the answer in a preview of the hardest hitting division in the NFL, the AFC North. You will find the Cincinnati Bengals absent from this post, but don't worry, a full in-depth preview of the Bengals much anticipated season will follow shortly.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: 12-4 (in 2010)
Is this the year that Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens finally overtake the Pittsburgh Steelers and walk away with the division crown? Yes, it's possible, but that all depends on the play of quarterback Joe Flacco.
QB Joe Flacco is entering his fourth season as the Ravens quarterback and if they are to get by Pittsburgh and reach the Super Bowl, it will be because of Joe Flacco and the offense, not the defense. The offense has gotten much better since Flacco's arrival, but it has to be even better this season. RB Ray Rice, wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans (Bills), and tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta are great weapons and behind a solid offensive line, Flacco has the tools to succeed. It's just up to him to perform and that's something Ravens fans will be watching very closly in 2011.
The Ravens are the most intimidating defense in all of football, in my opinion, but for how much longer. Baltimore has a terrific defense and it's been great for as long as I can remember, but it's getting older. LB Ray Lewis is entering his 16th season, and although he looks like he can still hit like he did 10 years ago, he's 36 years old. Another one of the Ravens great defenders is safety Ed Reed, who is entering his 10th season, and Reed has already showed signs of aging, missing eight games the past two seasons.
Ray Lewis has dedicated this off-season to being in even better shape for the season and the Ravens defense will have to be better than they were last season. Baltimore ranked 5th in the NFL against the run, but were 21st against the pass. They drafted CB Jimmy Smith (Colorado) in the first round of April's draft and signed safety Bernard Pollard (Texans), which will improve the secondary. NT Haloti Ngata and LB Terrell Suggs bring one of the league's most explosive pass rushes, one that did struggle at times to reach the quarterback last season. Ray Lewis may be getting older, but he will have his troops ready for battle in 2011.
Baltimore has a moderately difficult schedule, with two games against Pittsburgh, New York Jets, San Diego, Indianapolis and Houston, but that's about it. If Flacco and the offense put up enough points,the defense will play well enough to allow Baltimore the possibility of winning the division.
Cleveland Browns: 5-11
Fans in Cleveland finally have something to be excited about. The Indians looked liked a playoff team early in the baseball season, but fell off as the season went on. The Cavaliers were the worst team in the NBA and fans still haven't gotten over the fact that LeBron James left Cleveland for South Beach. So, here come the Browns to save the day. Cleveland isn't going to win the Super Bowl, but they should be a much better football team from last season.
QB Colt McCoy got his feet wet last season by starting in eight games during his rookie season and McCoy will be the starter September 11th against the Bengals. He will try and improve an offense that was 29th in the league in passing and 20th in rushing last season. McCoy has weapons in Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, who are nice young receivers, but still unproven. TE Benjamin Watson could emerge as McCoy's go to guy and the Browns have kick return specialist Josh Cribbs to give the ball too. Cleveland also drafted WR Greg Little (North Carolina) and he gives the Browns a deep threat especially with his size.
Then there's running back Peyton Hillis, who got the distinct honor of gracing the cover of Madden the season. Hillis had a breakout season last year for the Browns, rushing for 1,177-yards and 13 TD. Hillis is one of the most powerful backs in football and this season by following blockers, rookie fullback Owen Marecic (Stanford), and the best tackle in the league, Joe Thomas, he could have an even bigger season. Hillis' aggressive style of play does raise questions about his durability, but just look at the guy, he should hold up for the entire season.
The Cleveland defense will look a lot different this season, from four new players on the defensive line, to a new defensive coordinator in Dick Jauron. Rob Ryan, his long gray hair, big belly and aggressive style of defense are in Dallas, and Jauron will be calling a much different type of scheme. Jauron and Ryan are two complete opposites and it will be interesting to see how the Browns respond to Jauron's style of defense. Rookie defensive linemen, Phil Taylor (Baylor) and Jaball Sheard (Pitt), will start on the defensive line for Jauron and the Browns and former Saints safety Usama Young will also be a new addition in the secondary.
Overall the Browns should be a better football team in 2011 and I believe they are on the cusp of being relevant again. The Browns should get off to a good start, but Cleveland does have to play Indianapolis, Houston and Oakland on the road, which will be tough games to win. The end of the season might be the toughest in the NFL with four games against the Steelers and Ravens in a five week period, sandwiched between a trip to the desert to play the Cardinals.
In the end, I see the Browns finishing around the .500 mark and that may not please Cleveland fans, but it's better than having another losing season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-4
The Steelers have one of the best organizations in football and are a model on how to build a winning franchise in the NFL, but as a Bengals fan, they're not my favorite team by any means. I could rant about how much I dislike the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they deserve a full in-depth preview like all the other 31 NFL teams. I'll just have an angry look on my face the whole time I'm writing about them.
Nonetheless, Pittsburgh came up just short last season by losing to the Packers in the Super Bowl XLV. The Steelers return many starters from last year's team and to say that they won't make another run at the Super Bowl is ludicrous.
QB Ben Roethlisberger missed the first four games last season due to a suspension, but he will lead the charge on offense for the entire season in 2011. Roethlisberger is probably the hardest quarterback to bring down in the NFL, with his size, strength and his ability to throw on the run, make the Steelers offense a very hard one to stop.
WR Mike Wallace is due for a break-out year and RB Rashard Mendenhall will be looking to build on last season were he totaled 1,273-yards and 13 TD. The biggest question mark on offense has to be the play of the offensive line. Other than center Maurkice Pouncey, the line struggled last year and it was hit hard by injury. If key members of the line get hurt again, the line could struggle to protect Roethlisberger and he can't get away from everybody.
No one may have a better all around defense than the Steelers and they are lead by Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. LeBeau may be the best defensive mind in football and his defense was the best in the NFL last season at stopping the run, allowing only 62.8 yards/per game. The front seven of the Steelers defense, may be the best in football. A defensive line of Aaron Smtih, Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton take up a lot of blockers, which free up the league's best group of linebackers, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons and James Harrison.
Harrison was fined more than $100,000 by the leagues for violent hits last season and he expressed his frustrations about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a magazine article this off-season. Say what you want about Harrison, he's a dirty player, he has no class, but the guy can flat out play football and so can safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu may be the best defensive player in the NFL and without a great season from Troy and Harrison, the Steelers can kiss any chance of going back to the Super Bowl good-bye.
With the Browns posing a little threat in the division, Pittsburgh will be battling it out with the Baltimore Ravens once again. Pittsburgh and Baltimore will meet up in week one and the Steelers also face Indianapolis, Houston, New England, Kansas City and St. Louis. Not the most difficult schedule in the NFL and Steeler fans will yet again see their team back in the playoffs ready to make another Super Bowl run.
Predicted Standings
Like I said before, a preview of the Cincinnati Bengals is still to come, but let's just say they will be at the bottom of the division standings. The Browns are getting better, but still several steps behind the Ravens and Steelers. So, it will be Steelers vs. Ravens for the AFC North crown and Pittsburgh has the better team. The Ravens will keep it a close race, but the Steelers win the division. Baltimore does still get into the playoffs with a wild card spot and these two hard hitting teams could meet up in the playoffs.
Predicted 2011 AFC North Standings
Pittsburgh: 11-5
Baltimore: 10-6
Cleveland: 8-8
Next up, predictions on what players will be bringing home the hardware this season as well as, my picks for Week 1.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: 12-4 (in 2010)
Is this the year that Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens finally overtake the Pittsburgh Steelers and walk away with the division crown? Yes, it's possible, but that all depends on the play of quarterback Joe Flacco.
QB Joe Flacco is entering his fourth season as the Ravens quarterback and if they are to get by Pittsburgh and reach the Super Bowl, it will be because of Joe Flacco and the offense, not the defense. The offense has gotten much better since Flacco's arrival, but it has to be even better this season. RB Ray Rice, wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans (Bills), and tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta are great weapons and behind a solid offensive line, Flacco has the tools to succeed. It's just up to him to perform and that's something Ravens fans will be watching very closly in 2011.
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| Ray Lewis will be at the center of the Baltimore defense for the 16th straight season. (Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated) |
Ray Lewis has dedicated this off-season to being in even better shape for the season and the Ravens defense will have to be better than they were last season. Baltimore ranked 5th in the NFL against the run, but were 21st against the pass. They drafted CB Jimmy Smith (Colorado) in the first round of April's draft and signed safety Bernard Pollard (Texans), which will improve the secondary. NT Haloti Ngata and LB Terrell Suggs bring one of the league's most explosive pass rushes, one that did struggle at times to reach the quarterback last season. Ray Lewis may be getting older, but he will have his troops ready for battle in 2011.
Baltimore has a moderately difficult schedule, with two games against Pittsburgh, New York Jets, San Diego, Indianapolis and Houston, but that's about it. If Flacco and the offense put up enough points,the defense will play well enough to allow Baltimore the possibility of winning the division.
Cleveland Browns: 5-11
Fans in Cleveland finally have something to be excited about. The Indians looked liked a playoff team early in the baseball season, but fell off as the season went on. The Cavaliers were the worst team in the NBA and fans still haven't gotten over the fact that LeBron James left Cleveland for South Beach. So, here come the Browns to save the day. Cleveland isn't going to win the Super Bowl, but they should be a much better football team from last season.
QB Colt McCoy got his feet wet last season by starting in eight games during his rookie season and McCoy will be the starter September 11th against the Bengals. He will try and improve an offense that was 29th in the league in passing and 20th in rushing last season. McCoy has weapons in Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, who are nice young receivers, but still unproven. TE Benjamin Watson could emerge as McCoy's go to guy and the Browns have kick return specialist Josh Cribbs to give the ball too. Cleveland also drafted WR Greg Little (North Carolina) and he gives the Browns a deep threat especially with his size.
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| RB Peyton Hillis does not go down without a fight and he is one of the reasons why things are looking up in Cleveland. (MCT Direct) |
The Cleveland defense will look a lot different this season, from four new players on the defensive line, to a new defensive coordinator in Dick Jauron. Rob Ryan, his long gray hair, big belly and aggressive style of defense are in Dallas, and Jauron will be calling a much different type of scheme. Jauron and Ryan are two complete opposites and it will be interesting to see how the Browns respond to Jauron's style of defense. Rookie defensive linemen, Phil Taylor (Baylor) and Jaball Sheard (Pitt), will start on the defensive line for Jauron and the Browns and former Saints safety Usama Young will also be a new addition in the secondary.
Overall the Browns should be a better football team in 2011 and I believe they are on the cusp of being relevant again. The Browns should get off to a good start, but Cleveland does have to play Indianapolis, Houston and Oakland on the road, which will be tough games to win. The end of the season might be the toughest in the NFL with four games against the Steelers and Ravens in a five week period, sandwiched between a trip to the desert to play the Cardinals.
In the end, I see the Browns finishing around the .500 mark and that may not please Cleveland fans, but it's better than having another losing season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-4
The Steelers have one of the best organizations in football and are a model on how to build a winning franchise in the NFL, but as a Bengals fan, they're not my favorite team by any means. I could rant about how much I dislike the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they deserve a full in-depth preview like all the other 31 NFL teams. I'll just have an angry look on my face the whole time I'm writing about them.
Nonetheless, Pittsburgh came up just short last season by losing to the Packers in the Super Bowl XLV. The Steelers return many starters from last year's team and to say that they won't make another run at the Super Bowl is ludicrous.
QB Ben Roethlisberger missed the first four games last season due to a suspension, but he will lead the charge on offense for the entire season in 2011. Roethlisberger is probably the hardest quarterback to bring down in the NFL, with his size, strength and his ability to throw on the run, make the Steelers offense a very hard one to stop.
WR Mike Wallace is due for a break-out year and RB Rashard Mendenhall will be looking to build on last season were he totaled 1,273-yards and 13 TD. The biggest question mark on offense has to be the play of the offensive line. Other than center Maurkice Pouncey, the line struggled last year and it was hit hard by injury. If key members of the line get hurt again, the line could struggle to protect Roethlisberger and he can't get away from everybody.
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| Plays like this from Polamalu, helped the Steelers beat out the Ravens in the division last season. (Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) |
Harrison was fined more than $100,000 by the leagues for violent hits last season and he expressed his frustrations about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a magazine article this off-season. Say what you want about Harrison, he's a dirty player, he has no class, but the guy can flat out play football and so can safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu may be the best defensive player in the NFL and without a great season from Troy and Harrison, the Steelers can kiss any chance of going back to the Super Bowl good-bye.
With the Browns posing a little threat in the division, Pittsburgh will be battling it out with the Baltimore Ravens once again. Pittsburgh and Baltimore will meet up in week one and the Steelers also face Indianapolis, Houston, New England, Kansas City and St. Louis. Not the most difficult schedule in the NFL and Steeler fans will yet again see their team back in the playoffs ready to make another Super Bowl run.
Predicted Standings
Like I said before, a preview of the Cincinnati Bengals is still to come, but let's just say they will be at the bottom of the division standings. The Browns are getting better, but still several steps behind the Ravens and Steelers. So, it will be Steelers vs. Ravens for the AFC North crown and Pittsburgh has the better team. The Ravens will keep it a close race, but the Steelers win the division. Baltimore does still get into the playoffs with a wild card spot and these two hard hitting teams could meet up in the playoffs.
Predicted 2011 AFC North Standings
Pittsburgh: 11-5
Baltimore: 10-6
Cleveland: 8-8
Next up, predictions on what players will be bringing home the hardware this season as well as, my picks for Week 1.
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