NFL 2009: AFC North Preview

Last season the AFC North was split between two super bowl contenders and two league punch lines. At the top of the division this year you have the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers with the Baltimore Ravens nipping at their heels. At the bottom we have the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Both are teams on the rise with talent all over the field, but the lack of experience and defensive personalities will get keep them a couple steps behind the top dogs. Let's take a look at what we can expect from these teams during the 2009 NFL season. (Listed alphabetically)

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens ended last season just short of making it to another Super Bowl. The team was led by rookie QB Joe Flacco, who finally brought a passing game to this defensively focused team. It would seem after such a great season the next step would be Super Bowl, but after defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and LB Bart Scott bolted to the Jets, its unknown what we'll see on that side of the ball. The Ravens have always been an offensively challenged team and now that they've found the QB they always wanted one would think it's time to put some weapons around him. Maybe that's just my philosophy, but Baltimore has done nothing to show me they'll be any better next year. In my opinion the Baltimore Ravens have taken steps backwards this offseason and I expect them to fall short of a wild card spot.

Cincinnati Bengals - Oh the Bengals, the NFL's version of the Portland "Jail"Blazers from the NBA in the late 90's. It seems as if they're turning their personalities around starting with WR Chad OchoCinco actually saying he'll try this season. I guess that doesn't sound like much, but it's always good when one of your best players decides he'll give some effort in winning. With joking aside, the Bengals had a very good offseason with superb draft picks Maualuga, Smith, and Johnson. Really none of this really matters as at best they're the third best team in the division. The defense is still not up to par and the offense is a wildcard. Hopefully as a fan of the Bengals a few years ago they will at least be back to playing some exciting football.

Cleveland Browns - The Browns face three main questions coming into the 2009 season. Who's the starting QB, Anderson or Quinn? Will Edwards fix his brick hands? And will new head coach Eric Mangini fix this horrible defense? Perhaps the most important of these questions is about the defense. The Browns are very weak at DB and short on linebackers, which will certainly cost them a few games this year. As for who should play QB I personally like Quinn. Derek Anderson had that pro bowl year, but he throws too many picks for my liking. I think Quinn has what it takes to be a great QB in the NFL. If he can get a full season under his belt without injury the Browns could really get some momentum for the future. I expect the Browns to have a slightly better year than 2008 getting somewhere in the range of 5-7 wins.

Pittsburgh Steelers - What can you say? The Steelers are defending Super Bowl champions and haven't done anything to prove they shouldn't be favorites again. This offseason they haven't really done anything. They're neither better nor worse than last year, which is a good thing. The Steelers have a top five NFL quarterback in Big Ben and we know they'll always have a great running game and defense year in and year out. Pittsburgh was clearly the best team in the AFC last season and should have the same expectations this year. I see only one team that can take down the champs and that's the New England Patriots and the return of Tom Brady. Either way, the towel waving fans should be in store for another special season.