The AFC North is next, and it's a strong division.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens keep improving year after year and 2012 is no exemption. QB Joe Flacco leads the team under center, and he has Ray Rice on the ground and proven to be one of the top RBs of the league. WRs Anquan Boldin and Jacoby Jones can be huge threats and put up solid fantasy numbers as well. This defense, led by Ed Reed and Ray Lewis are still one of the best and that is made known by Head Coach John Harbaugh. The beginning of the season will be tough as the Ravens travel to Philly Week 2 and then host New England the following week. With a possible Sunday Night trip to Pittsburgh and latter season home games against Denver & NY Giants, this team will have a tough schedule.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Marvin Lewis' Bengals proved to be one of the surprise stories of 2011, going into the playoffs 9-7 record and now-2nd year QB Andy Dalton definitely had a strong arm throughout the season. WR A.J. Green, also in his Sophomore season, will also have a big impact this season, and he will be alot better. Donald Lee & Jermaine Gresham are the Tight-Ends for this Bengals team. The Bengals lose RB Cedric Benson to Green Bay, so they'll have to rely on BenJarvis Green-Ellis, who was signed as a free-agent, and he will have a big impact after a few great seasons in New England. The Bengals have 4 divisional games in their first 7 weeks of the season. With their Bye at Week 8, Cincinnati will then host Denver and NY Giants back-to-back, later hosting Dallas as well, but travels to Philadelphia & Pittsburgh and will host Baltimore Week 17.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns have been struggling the past few years and now may have a reliable Quarterback: 28-year old rookie Brandon Weeden, who will emerge as the starter over Seneca Wallace & Colt McCoy. After losing Peyton Hillis to KC, the Browns have Trent Richardson, who will be the featured RB. Some of Weeden's targets include Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi, Dan Gronkowski & Benjamin Watson. Coach Pat Shurmur and the Browns have some easy games to start the season at home against Buffalo but have tough road games at Baltimore & Cincinnati, all leading to 2 rough road games in Denver & Pittsburgh to finish the season.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers are continuing to be one of the top teams in the AFC and can be challenged for the AFC North title again. QB Ben Roethlisberger will look to remain healthy, and he is joined once again with WRs Antonio Brown & Jerricho Cotchery and TE Heath Miller. RB Rashard Mendenhall is healthy again, looking to rebound after a disappointing 2011 season. Dick LeBeau's defense will also be top-notch strong and Coach Mike Tomlin's Steelers will be tough to beat (12-4 last year). The Steelers go to Denver Week 1 in a Sunday night game, then host NY Jets and travel to Oakland before their Week 4 Bye. After that, the Steelers host Philadelphia, then travel to Tennessee & Cincinnati. Their home schedule is favorable, the Jets being their toughest opponent, and finishes off against Cincinnati & Cleveland the final 2 weeks of the season. If this team is solid all year, they will contend.
PREDICTIONS
Pittsburgh 12-4
Baltimore 11-5
Cincinnati 10-6
Cleveland 7-9
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment