2009 AFC North Record Projections

[RuthlessBurgher]

I promise that I did not steal the "Bengals finishing in 2nd and Ravens finishing in 3rd" thing from Oviedo, who has been suggesting such a thing for months now.


Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3

The Super Bowl champs went 12-4 with one of the most difficult schedules in decades, so you'd imagine that they would improve with a substantially easier slate this year. Mike Tomlin is approaching his title defense differently than Bill Cowher, who seemingly already had one foot out the door in '06. Ben's civil case will not have nearly the same impact that Ben's bare head made on that Chrysler after Super Bowl XL.



Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7

The Bengals have a sneaky good young defense, provided that they don't do something stupid like benching the up-and-coming Chinedum Ndukwe for the human-toast Roy Williams. The improvement going from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Carson Palmer at QB should be tremendous. The switch from the WR with the most difficult-to-spell last name (his first name is T.J.) to the WR with the most difficult-to-spell first name (his last name is Coles) should be negligible.



Baltimore Ravens: 8-8

With the losses of Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard to the Jets, the Raven defense might start to show its age. Joe Flacco may experience a sophomore slump due to lack of reliable targets. Even though Derrick Mason decided to come back, a wise man once said that if you are thinking about retirement, you are already retired.



Cleveland Browns: 5-11

It seemed like this team had a good amount of quality skill players a few short seasons ago, but my how things have changed as the pure talent shelves are quite bare in Cleveland these days. They are still relatively strong in the trenches, though, which may help them pull a few games against the AFC West and NFC North.

[Oviedo]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

I promise that I did not steal the "Bengals finishing in 2nd and Ravens finishing in 3rd" thing from Oviedo, who has been suggesting such a thing for months now.


Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3

The Super Bowl champs went 12-4 with one of the most difficult schedules in decades, so you'd imagine that they would improve with a substantially easier slate this year. Mike Tomlin is approaching his title defense differently than Bill Cowher, who seemingly already had one foot out the door in '06. Ben's civil case will not have nearly the same impact that Ben's bare head made on that Chrysler after Super Bowl XL.



Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7

The Bengals have a sneaky good young defense, provided that they don't do something stupid like benching the up-and-coming Chinedum Ndukwe for the human-toast Roy Williams. The improvement going from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Carson Palmer at QB should be tremendous. The switch from the WR with the most difficult-to-spell last name (his first name is T.J.) to the WR with the most difficult-to-spell first name (his last name is Coles) should be negligible.



Baltimore Ravens: 8-8

With the losses of Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard to the Jets, the Raven defense might start to show its age. Joe Flacco may experience a sophomore slump due to lack of reliable targets. Even though Derrick Mason decided to come back, a wise man once said that if you are thinking about retirement, you are already retired.



Cleveland Browns: 5-11

It seemed like this team had a good amount of quality skill players a few short seasons ago, but my how things have changed as the pure talent shelves are quite bare in Cleveland these days. They are still relatively strong in the trenches, though, which may help them pull a few games against the AFC West and NFC North.

I actually agree exactly with your #2, #3 and #4.

I think the Steelers could be 13-3 but that would be a best case with no key injuries or those inevitable bonehead games we see every year. Personally I see us as ending up 11-5. I think we have some tougher games this season than people are considering.

I think we have possible losses againt: Tennessee, Chicago, Minnesota (less likely) and San Diego. I also think we could lose one to the Ratbirds and could have a surprise loss to the Bumgals.

[papillon]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

Pittsburgh Steelers: 14-2

It's difficult not to be optimistic about the upcoming year. Harrison, Ward, Miller, Starks, Kemeotu were all extended and locked up long term. Sepulveda will be back and by all reports appears to be booming punts with a lot of hang time. Reed is as efficient as ever, Woodley, Timmons and Holmes are the young guns ready to break out. The schedule is decidedly easier and Mike Tomlin's terrible scowl is always there to keep the ship righted.

Baltimore Ravens: 11-5

It's hard for me to see them taking any steps backwards this year. The defense may be getting a bit older, but, there is still some good football left in Lewis and Reed. Flacco had an eerily similar rookie campaign as Ben Roethlisberger, good running attack, good defense and don't make a mistake with the ball. This positive experience will be beneficial to Flacco this year. They have a young and bruising offensive line; the Steeler vs Ravens games will be worth the price of admission.

Cincinnati Bengals: 7-9 (There is no Brown color, so, I used pink) :P

Carson Palmer is still the straw that stirs this drink; unfortunately, there isn't enough of a drink to stir. The Bengals should be improved on defense and if they make great gains their record could very well be 9-7. Ocho is still Ocho and he'll get his catches and yards, but their most consistent receiver is gone. Not enough in depth to make a serious run; another good draft and the Bengals could be on the right track.

Cleveland Browns: 5-11 (Again, no Brown, but a lighter shade of pink) :P

Winslow is gone and there is no clear cut quarterback. Mangini has now stated that he plans on using a two quarterback system this year or, at least, some of the time. That's a recipe for disaster and this team may be this year's train wreck. I'd rather, both, Cincinnati and Cleveland elevate their games and make the AFCN the best division in football, but, it won't be this year. Mangini needs another year, maybe, two to get them going in the right direction.


Pappy

[papillon]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

I promise that I did not steal the "Bengals finishing in 2nd and Ravens finishing in 3rd" thing from Oviedo, who has been suggesting such a thing for months now.


Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3

The Super Bowl champs went 12-4 with one of the most difficult schedules in decades, so you'd imagine that they would improve with a substantially easier slate this year. Mike Tomlin is approaching his title defense differently than Bill Cowher, who seemingly already had one foot out the door in '06. Ben's civil case will not have nearly the same impact that Ben's bare head made on that Chrysler after Super Bowl XL.



Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7

The Bengals have a sneaky good young defense, provided that they don't do something stupid like benching the up-and-coming Chinedum Ndukwe for the human-toast Roy Williams. The improvement going from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Carson Palmer at QB should be tremendous. The switch from the WR with the most difficult-to-spell last name (his first name is T.J.) to the WR with the most difficult-to-spell first name (his last name is Coles) should be negligible.



Baltimore Ravens: 8-8

With the losses of Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard to the Jets, the Raven defense might start to show its age. Joe Flacco may experience a sophomore slump due to lack of reliable targets. Even though Derrick Mason decided to come back, a wise man once said that if you are thinking about retirement, you are already retired.



Cleveland Browns: 5-11

It seemed like this team had a good amount of quality skill players a few short seasons ago, but my how things have changed as the pure talent shelves are quite bare in Cleveland these days. They are still relatively strong in the trenches, though, which may help them pull a few games against the AFC West and NFC North.

I actually agree exactly with your #2, #3 and #4.

I think the Steelers could be 13-3 but that would be a best case with no key injuries or those inevitable bonehead games we see every year. Personally I see us as ending up 11-5. I think we have some tougher games this season than people are considering.

I think we have possible losses againt: Tennessee, Chicago, Minnesota (less likely) and San Diego. I also think we could lose one to the Ratbirds and could have a surprise loss to the Bumgals.

If they lose 6 games they may not make the playoffs...just sayin. :P

Pappy

[Oviedo]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

I promise that I did not steal the "Bengals finishing in 2nd and Ravens finishing in 3rd" thing from Oviedo, who has been suggesting such a thing for months now.


Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3

The Super Bowl champs went 12-4 with one of the most difficult schedules in decades, so you'd imagine that they would improve with a substantially easier slate this year. Mike Tomlin is approaching his title defense differently than Bill Cowher, who seemingly already had one foot out the door in '06. Ben's civil case will not have nearly the same impact that Ben's bare head made on that Chrysler after Super Bowl XL.



Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7

The Bengals have a sneaky good young defense, provided that they don't do something stupid like benching the up-and-coming Chinedum Ndukwe for the human-toast Roy Williams. The improvement going from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Carson Palmer at QB should be tremendous. The switch from the WR with the most difficult-to-spell last name (his first name is T.J.) to the WR with the most difficult-to-spell first name (his last name is Coles) should be negligible.



Baltimore Ravens: 8-8

With the losses of Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard to the Jets, the Raven defense might start to show its age. Joe Flacco may experience a sophomore slump due to lack of reliable targets. Even though Derrick Mason decided to come back, a wise man once said that if you are thinking about retirement, you are already retired.



Cleveland Browns: 5-11

It seemed like this team had a good amount of quality skill players a few short seasons ago, but my how things have changed as the pure talent shelves are quite bare in Cleveland these days. They are still relatively strong in the trenches, though, which may help them pull a few games against the AFC West and NFC North.

I actually agree exactly with your #2, #3 and #4.

I think the Steelers could be 13-3 but that would be a best case with no key injuries or those inevitable bonehead games we see every year. Personally I see us as ending up 11-5. I think we have some tougher games this season than people are considering.

I think we have possible losses againt: Tennessee, Chicago, Minnesota (less likely) and San Diego. I also think we could lose one to the Ratbirds and could have a surprise loss to the Bumgals.

If they lose 6 games they may not make the playoffs...just sayin. :P

Pappy

They will win the AFC North so therefore they make the play-offs. The Ravens will not get double digit wins...mark it down now!!!!!!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

It is amazing how things change from year to year.

At this time last year, coming off a 2007 season that looked like this:

PIT 10-6
CLE 10-6
CIN 7-9
BAL 5-11

No one would have predicted that that the Ravens would win 11 games and the Browns would lose 12 game in 2008.

[Oviedo]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

It is amazing how things change from year to year.

At this time last year, coming off a 2007 season that looked like this:

PIT 10-6
CLE 10-6
CIN 7-9
BAL 5-11

No one would have predicted that that the Ravens would win 11 games and the Browns would lose 12 game in 2008.

The one constant is the Steelers at the top of the table!!!!!!!!! The rest is lost in the noise or three other teams fighting for the table scraps.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

I could always be wrong but I really see the Brownstains as being this year's version of the '08 Lions because a 1-15 season for the Stains is what my crystal ball has been telling me for months now.

[frankthetank1]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

I could always be wrong but I really see the Brownstains as being this year's version of the '08 Lions because a 1-15 season for the Stains is what my crystal ball has been telling me for months now.

i totally agree with your opinion. ive been telling people this past offseason that this could be one of if not the worst browns team ever and one of the worst all time teams in the history of the nfl. i am predicting a T.O like meltdown for edwards, i bet he will end up playing half of the season. he already showed up late for TC and failed his physical. everyone already knows he doesnt want to be a brown. who could blame him

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

I could always be wrong but I really see the Brownstains as being this year's version of the '08 Lions because a 1-15 season for the Stains is what my crystal ball has been telling me for months now.

i totally agree with your opinion. ive been telling people this past offseason that this could be one of if not the worst browns team ever and one of the worst all time teams in the history of the nfl. i am predicting a T.O like meltdown for edwards, i bet he will end up playing half of the season. he already showed up late for TC and failed his physical. everyone already knows he doesnt want to be a brown. who could blame him

He does want to get paid, though, and you would make a heck of a lot more money if he had a season like 07 (80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 TD's) than a season like 08 (55 catches for 873 yards and 3 TD's plus countless drops). I would guess it would be somewhere in the middle (60-something catches for just barely over 1000 yards and maybe 7 TD's).

[Jom112]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

Steelers: 11-5
Bengals: 9-7
Ravens: 7-9
Browns: 5-11

Meh...

[stlrz d]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

Steelers: 16 - 0
BengalsBrownsRavens: 0 - 48



My real prediction will come before the season starts. :P

[flippy]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

Steelers 16-0
Browns 10-6
Bengals 9-7
Ravens 7-9

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

Steelers: 16 - 0
BengalsBrownsRavens: 0 - 48



My real prediction will come before the season starts. :P

C'mon...the BengalsBrownsRavens play each other twice. If you want them all winless, you'd have to have 6 ties in there when they face off. 0-42-6.

[Lebsteel]

Re: 2009 AFC North Record Projections

Steelers: 16 - 0
BengalsBrownsRavens: 0 - 48



My real prediction will come before the season starts. :P

C'mon...the BengalsBrownsRavens play each other twice. If you want them all winless, you'd have to have 6 ties in there when they face off. 0-42-6.

If my calculator is working properly, I think that would be 0-36-12....each team would have four ties since they play each other twice, 0-12-4, but who's counting...

We are on our way to training camp tomorrow!!! Woo hoo!! Anyone else going to the evening practice?