ESPN predicts winner, record of every AFC North team in 2016

[SteelCrazy]

For the fourth consecutive year, the Steelers and Bengals will rotate who comes out on top in the AFC North.

That's what ESPN is predicting, anyway, writing that Pittsburgh will win the division with a 12-4 record. ESPN has the Bengals finishing second at 10-6, with the Ravens matching them with a 10-6 record, and Cleveland winning just four games in 2016.

"We currently project Pittsburgh to be the best offense in the league, which makes a lot of sense considering they ranked third in offensive DVOA last year despite getting just 12 games out of Ben Roethlisberger and six out of Le'Veon Bell," ESPN wrote of the Steelers. "The Steelers also have a strong, experienced offensive line that gets Maurkice Pouncey back from a missed season. The defense brings in some new blood with this year's top two picks (Artie Burns and Sean Davis) plus cornerback Senquez Golson, a 2015 second-rounder who missed his entire rookie year."

Despite winning 12 games last year, ESPN thinks that the Bengals will remain competitive but will take a step back in 2016, citing the loss of receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones and one less home game as the main reasons for why they have Cincinnati behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Bengals did add Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd in the second round of the draft, and bolstered their defense with the additions of cornerback William Jackson III and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.

After winning just five games in 2015, ESPN thinks that the rebuilt Ravens will rebound in 2015. Saddled with injuries last season, ESPN thinks that Baltimore will be able to bounce back with the return of Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr. and Justin Forsett.

ESPN doesn't expect much out of the Browns in Hue Jackson's first year at the helm in Cleveland. But with 14 rookies acquired in this year's draft (including four new wide receivers), the Browns could be a team to keep an eye on in the years to come, as long as Jackson is around long enough to watch his plan reach fruition.

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/ESPN-predicts-winner-record-of-every-AFC-North-in-2016-45301903

[SteelCrazy]

If we can stay relatively healthy and our 3 "new" 1st and 2nd round DB's can get on the field, we may reach 19-0! Jarvis has some provin to do and if not, Silver Back can pick up the slack. Our offense just needs to stay healthy. That's the only concern I have with it he O.

QB pressure and DB's are my concern on D. Last year we did ok with sacks, but we need more pressure. Get these new db's some picks.

[flippy]

A lot to be excited about for the Steelers going into this season. Having Bell back should be a huge boost for our offense, but losing Heath and Bryant could be a little hurdle. Overall, I'd still expect a top 5 O and think we're in great shape with overall improved play of our Oline.

I'm more hopeful for an improved D. I expect an improvement out of our Dline with Cam and Tuitt taking a big step forward. Losing McClendon, even though he had his limitations could be a challenge to overcome in the short term, but think we should be in better overall shape by season end. Shazier is ready to take the next step and I think he's got the potential to put up a DMVP season for us. I'm excited to see Bud take a big step forward and think we'll get a big year out of Deebo once again. No reason we can't have the most dominant front 7 in football.

Still big question marks in the secondary at this point, but I think as long as the guys up front improve, we'll be good enough on the back end by season end. A top 10 D won't surprise me and I think this unit will be on an upswing by year end.

[RuthlessBurgher]

A lot to be excited about for the Steelers going into this season. Having Bell back should be a huge boost for our offense, but losing Heath and Bryant could be a little hurdle. Overall, I'd still expect a top 5 O and think we're in great shape with overall improved play of our Oline.

I think losing Heath and Martavis is more than made up for by getting Pouncey and Bell back, adding Green, and further improvement from Villenueva and Coates. If Ben stays healthy, look out...


No reason we can't have the most dominant front 7 in football.

Compare our front 7 to the front 7 in Carolina.

Charles Johnson - Kawann Short - Star Lotulelei - Kony Ealy
Shaq Thompson - Luke Kuechley - Thomas Davis

Their 3rd and 4th DT's (veteran Paul Soliai and rookie 1st round pick Vernon Butler) are better than our 1st and 2nd DT's (veteran Daniel McCullers and rookie 3rd round pick Javon Hargrave).

[squidkid]

no excuse for not making super bowl this year
browns suck, ravens mediocre and cincy took a big hit
afc south blows
afc west is all medicore/good with denver not having a qb
afc east will be the same as always but pats will be without brady for 4 games
#1 seed should be a cakewalk this year if the players and coaches dont choke
the only thing that should keep us from the superbowl and a #1 seed is Ben being out for and extended period of time

[RuthlessBurgher]

If all goes well, we could go 13-3 or 14-2 in the regular season.

But things rarely go as planned.

I'll go with:

Pittsburgh 11-5
Cincinnati 10-6
Baltimore 9-7
Cleveland 3-13

[SteelCrazy]

no excuse for not making super bowl this year
browns suck, ravens mediocre and cincy took a big hit
afc south blows
afc west is all medicore/good with denver not having a qb
afc east will be the same as always but pats will be without brady for 4 games
#1 seed should be a cakewalk this year if the players and coaches dont choke
the only thing that should keep us from the superbowl and a #1 seed is Ben being out for and extended period of time

That's what I was saying. Offense's biggest concern is staying healthy and if it does we can't be stopped. QB pressure and DB's is my only concern with the D.

[Slapstick]

It's absolutely wrongheaded to make such assumptions...but, hey, if you can't make silly proclamations on a message board, where can you?

[Flasteel]

Sounds like everyone is in agreement. As long as the team isn't ravaged by key injuries (yet again), we should be in position to add another Lombardi to the case.

[SteelCrazy]

Sounds like everyone is in agreement. As long as the team isn't ravaged by key injuries (yet again), we should be in position to add another Lombardi to the case.

Hey now, run such one sided thoughts passed SapStick before jumping in head first.

[Slapstick]

Hey now, run such one sided thoughts passed SapStick before jumping in head first.


Aww...did I hurt your feelings? :Binky

Sorry about that!

[squidkid]

It's absolutely wrongheaded to make such assumptions...but, hey, if you can't make silly proclamations on a message board, where can you?



lol....oh, the irony

[Slapstick]

Umm...yeah, okay...

[squidkid]

Umm...yeah, okay...


dont even try, you'll lose this one too

[SteelCrazy]

Aww...did I hurt your feelings? :Binky

Sorry about that!

My feelings? There are no "feelings" on a Steelers Nation message board. You weren't even referring to me, we're you?

[Slapstick]

My feelings? There are no "feelings" on a Steelers Nation message board. You weren't even referring to me, we're you?

Well, you were referring to me...

[Slapstick]

dont even try, you'll lose this one too

Ummm...yeah, okay...

[SteelCrazy]

Well, you were referring to me...

What are ur thoughts on the defense?

[Slapstick]

What are ur thoughts on the defense?

That they are young, but I believe there is talent enough to contend...even enough to be a top NFL defense...how quickly that can be accomplished, if it is accomplished, will be the challenge this season...

[squidkid]

That they are young, but I believe there is talent enough to contend...even enough to be a top NFL defense...how quickly that can be accomplished, if it is accomplished, will be the challenge this season...


lol...........way to go out on a limb

[Slapstick]

lol...........way to go out on a limb

You're right. The question needs a simple poll in order to get a real answer...

[squidkid]

You're right. The question needs a simple poll in order to get a real answer...


yup, and you would answer 'all of the above'

[BradshawsHairdresser]

You guys crack me up.

[Slapstick]

You guys crack me up.

No doubt. I'm funny and he's easy to laugh at...

[squidkid]

No doubt. I'm funny and he's easy to laugh at...


still sore, eh?

[Slapstick]

Umm...yeah, okay...

[RuthlessBurgher]

By Zac Jackson
May 18, 2016, 9:43 PM EDT
Release of season win total wagers offers look at how teams are perceived

Online sportsbook Bovada.lv released its initial 2016 season win totals Wednesday, something that at very least gets people talking.

If it gets people wagering — legally, of course — that’s just bonus. Regular season win totals for all 32 teams are eventually posted across various online sportsbooks and at Las Vegas casinos, and interested players either choose “over” or “under” for their favorite teams, or ones they love to root against.

Even for folks who don’t bet, the season win totals offer an idea of how teams are perceived by people who do the wagering thing for a living. At least from what Bovada released Wednesday, five teams — the Patriots, Seahawks, Steelers, Packers and Panthers — are regarded as a cut above the rest. All five had win totals of 10.5 upon initial release.

The Browns had the lowest over/under win total at 4.5. The Titans and 49ers are listed at 5.5.

Every win total comes with “juice,” the percentage a bettor pays to the house on any sports bet. The Packers over 10.5 wins, for example, comes at a price of -165, meaning a bettor would have to lay $165 to win $100. If you take the Packers under, you’d be wagering $100 to win $135 thanks to the +135 price.

A standard bet on, say, Steelers -3 vs. the Ravens in October comes with 10 percent juice on each side. Steelers -3 would be $110/100, and the same on the other side for Ravens plus the points. Almost every season win total comes with a half attached, because a tie is like kissing your sister — and a season total bet that ends in a tie results in a refund.

The season win totals will be different at different outlets, and they’ll move if one side gets heavy action. For now, though, below are Bovada’s win totals for each team with juice it’s over 20 percent…

Panthers 10.5 (over -130)

Packers 10.5 (over -165)

Patriots 10.5 (over -150)

Steelers 10.5

Seahawks 10.5

Cardinals 9.5 (over -160)

Bengals 9.5 (over -140)

Cowboys 9.5

Colts 9.5

Chiefs 9.5 (over -130)

Vikings 9.5 (over -130)

Broncos 9

Ravens 8.5

Texans 8.5 (over -135)

Raiders 8.5

Bills 8

Giants 8 (over -160)

Falcons 7.5

Bears 7.5

Jaguars 7.5 (over -150)

Rams 7.5

Buccaneers 7.5

Redskins 7.5

Lions 7.5 (over -130)

Dolphins 7

Saints 7

Eagles 7

Chargers 7

49ers 5.5

Titans 5.5 (over -160)

Browns 4.5 (over -130)