The AFC North has always been synonymous with workhorse running backs and menacing hard-hitting linebackers. Expect more of the same as this division looks to stake its claim to the throne of the NFL. Holding some of the most ravenous fan bases in the entire league, could this be another year where that hard-nosed, lunch pail mentality gets the job done? After all, three teams from this division won 10 or more games and made the playoffs last season. Let’s examine the combatants coming out of the AFC North and see how they can factor into the NFL’s big picture in 2015.
Cleveland Browns
First Energy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns, has been little more than an open herpes blister on the lip of Cleveland, Ohio for the past 16 years. It’s fodder for late night hacks looking for a cheap chuckle. It’s also the cheesy yet inevitable set up to the punchline nobody needed to hear whenever someone happens to ask me, “So where are you from?” That being said, we are on the verge of this year’s edition of: Next season. After last year’s complete implosion, there were a list of offseason needs that had to be addressed in order to get the Dawgs out of the AFC North “dog house”.
Most notably, the Browns had no true identity last season at any of the skill positions. After losing one of their few playmakers in Josh Gordon for yet another season, the Browns tried to ring some bells by signing Dwayne Bowe and hometown hero Brian Hartline. But, with Hartline being primarily a possession receiver and Bowe in danger of not even making the team at all, things do not appear to have gotten any better in C-Town. The QB situation is as murky as ever. There is no active QB competition going into this season— an un-electrifying Josh McCown is behind center, with a humbled and sobered Johnny Manziel serving as his backup. If that weren’t bad enough, the 4-game suspension of GM Ray Farmer and the looming charges against first year offensive line coach Andy Moeller could make this week’s matchup with the New York Jets that much more chaotic. On top of that, the Browns have had six offensive coordinators in the last six seasons (John DeFilippo — the latest OC, who’s never called a play in his life — you may not want to switch over to an Ohio driver’s license just yet)!
Quietly the Browns created a rather formidable defense last year that really exceeded expectations. The secondary that led the NFL in passer rating against, and will continue to get stronger with the addition of free agent Tramon Williams. The return of Teshaun Gipson (who likely would’ve led the NFL in picks had he not been injured) will pair with Pro Bowler Joe Haden to form a dynamic tandem on the back end. The defense is also high on defensive tackle Danny Shelton who was drafted by the Browns this year. This, along with the resurgence of a defensive line ravaged by injuries last season, the Browns could surprise teams who do not do their homework.
Expect to see the Browns in yet another season of NFL purgatory as they refuse to get a quality QB (or as they try to find a workaround) and giving him the proper targets to throw to. In a competitive division such as this, a team that can’t get their act together is going to get left in the dust, as the Browns have for the last 15 years. Head coach Mike Pettine was listed by Vegas oddsmakers to be the most likely current NFL coach to be fired this season. If things start to progress this season anything like they are projected to, history in Cleveland suggests Pettine could indeed be out of employment before the end of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are on the hunt. They have patiently waited in the wings as the Steelers and Ravens have battled for divisional supremacy for the past several years. Marvin Lewis is back at the helm with something to prove. As the second longest tenured coach in the NFL (next to Bill Belichick), Coach Lewis would love to make this, his thirteenth season the year he finally brings the Bengals the first playoff win of his coaching regime. Also with a lot yet to prove is QB Andy Dalton as he is still trying to prove he is worth that big six year, $115 Million dollar contract he signed with Cincinnati in 2014.
The Bengals will be counting of the same core unit they have been working with the past few years. A.J. Green will continue to be Dalton’s top target and Mohamed Sanu will keep opposing secondaries honest. Running back Jeremy Hill could very well be the key to the Bengals success this season. In 2014, the Bengals were 7-2 in games where Hill received thirteen or more carries. The only noteworthy addition to the offense may be Ball State’s own, quarterback Keith Weinning (how could you not sign a guy named Weinning?). That aside, it may very well be now or never for the forgotten middle child of the AFC North.
The Bengals defense ranked third in the league last year in interceptions and they intend to keep that success rolling into this season. The defense will be bringing back the familiar face of DE Michael Johnson (spent last season with Tampa Bay) and are adding former Ohio State Buckeye A.J. Hawk should help stop the run.
The Bengals season will likely boil down to Andy Dalton being worth the money he is getting. Having a reliable offensive line, talented wide receivers, a hungry young running back and a seasoned head coach places Andy Dalton in as enviable of a position as any quarterback could ask for. If they can find their rhythm early enough in the season, they could make the playoff race interesting once again in the AFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Talk about starting off on the wrong foot. The always reliable Steelers have a laundry list of issues that they are trying to work through. Tailback Le’veon Bell will miss the first two games of the season serving a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Receiver Martavis Bryant will miss time early in the season for a similar infraction. Pro Bowl Center Maurkice Pouncey is still out indefinitely as he rehabs from a left ankle injury and subsequent surgery. As if that weren’t enough, fans have been up in arms at the signing of backup QB Mike Vick (though they seem considerably more understanding to the plight of starting QB Ben Roethlisberger, who we all know was accused of raping women on two different instances, but that’s another story for another day).
The Steelers have always prided themselves on letting their defense set the tone for the rest of the team. Cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Troy Polamalu have both decided to hang up their cleats after exactly a dozen years of service apiece to the black and gold. Hence, there are some tremendous shoes to fill on defense, a defense which was already on a rapid decline last season. Heralded as being an upper echelon defense year after year, being ranked 26th in the league in sacks and 23rd in takeaways seems almost like an aberration for this franchise.
Swerve.
All news is not bad news for Pittsburgh. The addition of playmaker De’Angelo Williams to their backfield should help give them some of that ground and pound run game that has become synonymous with Steelers football. Antonio Brown will be back to light it up again as well coming off an EPIC 2104. Brown had 129 catches last season, which is the second most of ALL-TIME IN THE NFL!! He also has the distinction of having at least five receptions for 50 yards in his past 32 consecutive games. Expect for him to put in work this season. Wide receiver Sammie Coates Jr. (who many believe could have been the steal of this year’s draft) could be the perfect addition to work opposite Brown and to keep opposing defenses guessing.
It’s hard to argue with results. The Steelers stay atop the AFC North every year for a reason. There are simply too many questions floating around to confidently write them down even a s a preseason favorite to win the division. Although, some teams like the Patriots seem to excel in the midst of drama. I don’t believe that this year’s Steelers will have the discipline to be that cool under pressure and then pull it out. Leading us to your 2015 AFC North Champions…
Baltimore Ravens
The road to the playoffs will not be an easy one. With first year offensive coordinator Marc Trestman at the helm, the Ravens will need to balance the distribution between Joe Flacco and emerging scatback Justin Forsett, who ran for over 1,250 yards last season. This may be Steve Smith’s last hurrah, although some may question if he still has enough in the tank to finish off this final season on his own terms before riding out into the sunset. I believe he still has it, and what he may not have in athleticism at age 36, I believe he can still compensate for with determination and being the proverbial “cagey veteran”.
Being one year removed from the stench of the Ray Rice debacle will benefit the entire organization. In addition to distancing itself from that catastrophe, BMore is also moving on from defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (traded to Detroit), who has been an anchor for this defense for many years. Also good for getting after the quarterback, the Ravens were tied for second in the league in sacks in 2014. They should still be able to flourish without Ngata. Look for outside Terrell Suggs (second in franchise history in sacks) and Elvis Dumervil (set the team record for sacks in a season in 2014, 17) to rally the troops on defense the way that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed did before them.
The Ravens have the experience and the raw talent alone to take the AFC North, but they have been there before and know what it takes as a unit to overcome any obstacles that may come their way over the duration of an NFL Season. Look for Jay Harbaugh and his crew to extend their season as they prevail in the AFC North as they look to fulfill their quest for a 2015 Super Bowl victory.
While we all may have theories or speculations on what may happen in the upcoming season, there is one this for certain. The games will be determined on the field, starting this Thursday. As we fans have waited chomping at the bit for six months for this day to come, we get to see how this all unfolds. Getting there is half the fun.
Justin’s AFC North Champion: Baltimore Ravens
Anthony’s AFC North Champion: Baltimore Ravens