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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 22, 2008
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1. Pittsburg Steelers : Last years AFC North champions that surprised most with the change of the guard from Bill Cower to Mike Tomlin was able to post a 10-6 record that most would have thought would have struggled. Troubles on the OL made for some of the difficulties that were obvious through the season. Even with the difficulties that the Steelers had the run and passing game was spot on and if had additional depth in order to fill the gaps late in the season this could have been a special year for them. The leaving of Alan Faneca was in a lot of ways not as bad as people thought. An 11 year veteran, the OL needed youth and versatility that Faneca alone could not resolve. This year the drafting of RB Mendenhall and WR Limas Sweed to add to the passing and running style that the Steelers have been famous for over decades will return with a vengeance and even surprise some that will doubt them this year. Still reeling from the two looses from the Jaguars at home in Pittsburg has never happened in the 75 year history of the franchise is something that will fuel them this season and the game at Jaguars 05 Oct 08 will only bring the excitement to a new level. Former AFC Central rivals have forged a smash mouth game that few can match. 2008-09 projected standings 10-6
2. Cleveland Browns: Last years surprise sleeper team that with Derrick Anderson posted a 10-6 record that if it was not for a late season melt down would have returned to the playoffs as the #6 seed since 2002. With the drafting of QB Brady Quinn and OT Joe Thomas has added new dimensions to the game and this years trading, drafting and signing 23 players in the off-season will only add depth and potential starters to the rotation that was a dire need late in the season. The Browns are this year’s potential wild card pick to win the AFC North and if not able to win the AFC North crown should be able to compete for the #6 seed once again. 2008-09 projected standings 10-6
3. Cincinnati Bengals: This off-season started with an adventure of attitudes with the antics of Chad Johnson wanting a trade, and a slew of problems that are guaranteed to make any organization have migraines for years to come. Posed to make a hard run at the AFC North title last year the melt down on both defense and offense made for a long year that most on the team wished they could just go to bed and wake up and it all be over. The off-season was no better with having to draft, sign and battle personnel issues this year will be a knuckle bitter until something positive happens. History shows that clients of Drew Rosenhaus (Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens) get there way eventually, so this year should be no different. Speculations are that Chad Johnson will not sit out the season but will make every effort to demand a trade. The thought process from the Bengals organization is that if they give in they will have others follow suit. From Johnson’s point of view is that if he causes enough problems he will get what he wants. What normally leads to locker room disarray will prove to be another long year for the Bengals. 2008-09 projected record 6-10, top 5 pick in 2009 NFL draft.
4. Baltimore Ravens: A team in transition and rebuilding still has the veteran experience and focus to make those that doubt there abilities a painful thought in the aftermath. Anchored by Ray Lewis in the Defense and with the retirement of All Pro OT Jonathan Ogden will have a hard competition in Training camp for the starting job. The Ravens should never be doubted, like last years Patriots Ravens game a miss interjected Time out by the sideline cost the Ravens a chance to stop the unbeaten season of the Patriots that would go on and post a 16-0 record the first in modern day history. 2008-09 projected record 7-9, top 10 pick in the NFL draft.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 22, 2006
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I almost feel sorry for this division. Their luck just has their schedule rotation playing the two toughest divisions in the league (AFC North, and NFC East). I think teams in this division will have to improve just to get the wins they had last year. A wild card coming out of the AFC North would be quite surprising as well.
For Cleveland to push Pitt for the division title, they are going to have to beat Pitt. And to do that, their defense is going to have to make the improvements many thought would come with Romeo by now. If that 3-4 is still as broke as it looked for much of last year, whether or not Anderson or Quinn play great, this team will be watching the playoffs instead of participating.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 24, 2008
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Slashsnake, the Browns are kind of hard to read. Is Anderson a one hit wonder? Do they have the defense to win the division? It will be the Browns or Steelers for sure. I give a slight edge to the Steelers to win the diviaion, but I don't agree the Browns will be watching the playoffs from home, I think they will be a wild card. The Ravens and Bengles shouldn't be much of a factor, especially with the Bengle's wide receiver issues. The Ravens defense is getting old, and they really need to improve their offense, and I don't think Kyle Boller is the answer. I'm probably wrong, I usually am. I just hope my Chiefs show significant improvement, and Chan Gailey can actually get them some offense.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 15, 2006
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It will definitely not be the glammer division in football. Nine wins could easily win this division. I think the Browns have the talent to win the division this year if Anderson can play like he did last year. The Bengals have way too many issues. I think the Steelers could be a contender and the Ravens and Bengals fight for the cellar.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 22, 2008
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This is a division to look out for,
I do agree that 9 wins might win the division only because of the AFC South and NFC East.
The winner not matter who the victor is will have to have the better wins between the inner division rivals but even that might be stretching it wilk how scatered those teams are with the streghts and weaknesses
I would not be surprised to see the one of the first sub-.500 team actually win a division
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 11, 2006
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The Steelers will win this division this year, hands-down. I don't think the Browns were a "flash in the pan" or anything, but they will have a tough time beating the re-tooled Steelers this year.
The Steelers will have a pretty potent offense this year (something that is relatively new to most of us Steelers fans-- we are used to defense-oriented teams), with plenty of weapons defenses will have to take into account. That has been the Brown's greatest weakness-- they have yet to be able to account for Big Ben and our offense, and this year should be no different.
9-7 might win this division this year, due to the level of difficulty inherent in this year's schedule, but I am not worrying about the schedule until the season starts. Last year, the Steelers had the league's 5th hardest schedule, but a lot of teams fell short, even teams that are normally perrenial contenders, and things weren't as murderous as we thought.
The Browns should do pretty well this year, and the Ravens and Bengals will likely share time in the basement.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 8, 2006
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Wow
A top five draft pick in 2009. Are the Bengals that bad? I know I am a homer (all fans are), but I don't see us being that bad. I see us being 3-3 in our own division and maybe 4-2. I don't see any team in our division without weakness so we will see how it plays out. Key injuries will play a role as they do every year. The Browns and Steelers better hope they don't have any this year as well. The Browns had very few injuries last year and that really helped their cause. The Bengals and Browns were killed by injuries both early and often. The Steelers were hit with injuries late in the year.
Time will tell.
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