2007 NFL Predictions - AFC North
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by JMFlyer1454
Cincinnati Bengals - This is probably the toughest division to start with. The North is between 2 teams: Cincinnati and Baltimore (sorry PGHers). With Carson Palmer back to full strength for the entire year and a plethora of weapons at his disposal, the Bengals will challenge the Colts for best offense in the NFL. Oh, and their defense is steadily improving, even if it is with players that have character issues (see Brooks, Ahmad; Thurman, Odell; Nicholson, A.J.). Nicholson is no longer with the team.
Prediction - 1st, AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - I wish I could call Cincinnati and Baltimore teams 1A and 1B. With the addition of Willis McGahee and stout drafting as usual, the Ravens are definitely in the position to repeat as Division Champions. However, I have a few concerns. Can Steve McNair stay healthy and continue to play at a high level? Will the loss of Adalius Thomas hurt more than people expect? Will Samari Rolle hold steady and play close to the Star Level of the rest of the defensive backfield?
Prediction - 2nd, AFC North, Wild Card
Pittsburgh Steelers - The hiring of Mike Tomlin will prove to be the right move...but not this year. Pittsburgh will come to love Bill Cowher's successor, but it won't come without growing pains. While I believe Pittsburgh will actually perform better this year than last, anything short of a Super Bowl run in the Steel City is deemed a failure. They won't get that this year. Ben Roethlisberger - injury free! - will play much better this year and will single-handedly win them 1 or more games. But they are no match for the Bengals or Ravens again this year. Maybe next year.
Prediction - 3rd, AFC North
Cleveland Browns - Oh the AFC doormat. Doesn't it seem as if every year they are the worst team in the conference? It most likely averages out to that. Anyway, the Browns are headed in the right direction. But their key players are too young and unproven to warrant rating them any higher. Recent drafts have brought in a vast amount of potential (Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, Kamerion Wimbley, D'Qwell Jackson, Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn, Eric Wright, etc.) but they still lack plenty. The defensive line is a question mark and the secondary is a steady work in progress. If Brady Quinn turns out to be everything he thinks he is, this team will be on the way up. But possibly not for another 2-3 years. They need a stud RB in next years draft and luckily they may be bad enough to be in the Top 3 with a shot at taking Darren McFadden, Mike Hart, or Steve Slaton...oh, right, they sent their 2008 1st rounder to Dallas in the Quinn trade. Crap.
Prediction - 4th, AFC North
