- The Ravens should make their 3rd consecutive playoff appearence under coach John Harbaugh, but not because I expect them to make a quantam leap from last year. Is the offense better with a full year of Ray Rice and the addition of Anquan Boldin? Yes. If this is the year Joe Flacco has his "Neo- I am the one" moment it could be special. My concerns shockingly lie more with the defense. Ed Reed is currently on the PUP list and may miss the first few weeks for neck/back injuries that made him seriously consider retiring, Ray Lewis isn't getting any younger and their number one corner going into camp is either LarDarius Webb or Travis Fisher. Contemplate facing receivers like Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall while having Webb or Fisher saddled with the duty of stopping them. Yeah, thats what I thought. But the division is weak enough for them to come out on top.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
- Getcha' popcorn ready! Ocho-Cinco and TO are on the same team. Nevertheless don't expect too much of a change from their conservative ground game and probably an increased role for Bernard Scott, Benson most likely will not be as durable. However, TO, Antonio Bryant, and rookie Tight End Jermaine Gresham should be making Carson Palmer go gaga over the guys he finally has to throw too. On defense the Bengals have improved every single season under Mike Zimmer. Players like Domata Peko, Keith Rivers, Antwan Odom, and Leon Hall have thrived in his system. The Bungals aren't flashy but they get it done, I expect them to be in contention for a wild card spot, and just maybe get it.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
- If Ben Rapelsberger/Pumpfakesberger wasn't suspended for at least the first four games I would probably have the Steelers above the Bengals and making the playoffs. The loss of Santonio Holmes won't be that big of a deal with the emergence of Mike Wallace and Limas Sweed and rookie sleeper Emmanuel Sanders (remember the name) in the fold. The defense was abysmal by Steelers standards last season--don't expect a repeat under Dick LeBeau. Polamalu is back to 100% health and they are always going to get to the passer with Woodley and Harrison coming off the edges. The draft helped out the offensive line (Pouncey) gave them another pass rusher (Worilds) and gave them a big power back for the goal line (Dwyer). The Steelers never seem to have bad back to back seasons, they are a sound organization and I expect a much better team this season.
4. Cleveland Browns
- The saddest part is that this might be the best team they have had in a while, as well as the best team in the city right now. The Browns certainly won't be the ones to make Cleveland fans forget about LeKing. The pick of Colt McCoy was for the future and I'm not so sure he's the answer for them--but we know one thing--it's definately not Jake Delhomme. I expect Montario Hardesty and Jerome Harrison to be a solid fantasy combination at QB and WR Mohammed Massaquoi is probably the best of the bunch. The defense was quietly very solid last season and addressed their biggest issue (Corner) with the drafting of Florida DB Joe Haden. The Browns won't be contending for a division title, and Mangini won't likely make it to next year but under Mike Holmgren the Browns should be respectable soon.
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