NFLEXPORTER.COM
NFLEXPORTER.COM
Pittsburgh is loaded on offense, while the defense is looking to prove it's worth.
A healthy A.J. Green and some explosive rookies should help the Bengals offense get back on track.
2nd year Wide Receiver Corey Coleman needs to be a difference maker for the Browns on offense.
Pittsburgh is loaded on offense, while the defense is looking to prove it's worth.
IT'S STILL A RIVALRY
In the AFC North you can usually throw records out the window when these teams face off. The Steelers are the current kings of the division and also at the heart of the AFC North's most heated rivalry games when they face Baltimore and Cincinnati twice a year, while the Bengals and Browns in state grudge match always has a great amount of pride.
NFL Expert Analyst
Lance Goodman
SEASON PREVIEW
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Pittsburgh Steelers have the offensive fire power needed to compete for AFC Supremacy but they never have all their weapons when the playoffs come around. In the NFL you need to score points and Pittsburgh has the play makers to do exactly that. Meanwhile the defense is in the process of re-tooling and finally showed some consistency late last season but got exposed in their AFC Championship game loss to New England.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the better regular season teams in the NFL for quite some time making the post season in 5 out of the last 6 years but don't have a single playoff win to show for it. The Bengals offense still has enough talent to be considered a threat but can Quarterback Andy Dalton raise the level of his game and can Cincys offensive line be more consistent? The defense also has to regain an identity and play harder if the Bengals plan on winning more than 7 games and returning to the Playoffs this season.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens are predominantly a veteran ball club with some youth mixed in but all of their best players are at or heading towards the end of their careers. Guys like Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, and Eric Weddle have been good for a long time but their efforts appear to be only enough to keep Baltimore competitive in the AFC North division.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
After only winning one game last season, it's hard to imagine things getting any worse for the Browns. The front office and 2nd year Head Coach Hue Jackson have their work cut out for the upcoming season, trying to bring in as much talent as possible for a roster that has holes everywhere. Aside from their Running Backs and a few players on the offensive line, the Browns could use upgrades at every position, including Quarterback, which is the teams most pressing need.
AFC NORTH PROJECTED RECORDS
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Pittsburgh 11-5
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Cincinnati 9-7
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Baltimore 8-8
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Cleveland 4-12