NFL Pro Football 2008 AFC North Preview

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Fearless Rick's 2008 NFL Preview - AFC NORTH

Rick Gagliano | 8/6/2008

AFC NORTH - Predicted order of finish and (predicted record)

Cleveland Browns (10-6) - The Browns should win the division this season, as the momentum of last year's 10-6 season and near-miss of the playoffs will propel them to new heights in 2008. What also will aid the Browns is that the Steelers have arguably the toughest schedule in the league (see below).

Cleveland has really come around during the tenure of head coach Romeo Crennel. After finishing 6-10 in 2005, the Browns regressed to 4-12 in 2006, but rebounded to a 10-6 record in 2007. Still, that was not good enough to reach the playoffs in the tough AFC, due to two losses to division rival Pittsburgh, which finished with the same record. Now that they have built an offense that put up 25.1 points per contest, the challenge is clearly on the defense. In 2007, the Browns allowed an average of 23.9 points and 359.6 yards per game, both near the bottom of the league.

Last year, Derek Anderson emerged as the quarterback and leader the Browns so desperately needed, throwing for 3787 yards and 29 TDs with just 19 INTs. His main targets - Kellen Winslow Jr. and Braylon Edwards are expected to do big things this season, along with veteran running back Jamal Lewis, a castaway by the Ravens who returned to rush for 1304 yards. Donte Stallworth defected from New England and will add to the aerial attack. Of course, QB Brady Quinn is still waiting in the wings for his chance to shine.

With the offense in good shape, the thin draft (only 5 picks) yielded linebacker Beau Bell from UNLV and nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin from Iowa State as the main defensive standouts. Bell is expected to start, while Rubin may need time to develop.

The additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams will also make the defense better. They are disruptive linemen who may give the Browns more penetration and take the pressure off a young secondary.

The Browns' schedule is nearly as daunting as the Steelers, with the Giants, Redskins, Eagles and Cowboys (opener) in the mix, along with Indy, Tennessee and Jacksonville. The season ends in Pittsburgh, where the Browns haven't won since 2003. If they win that last game - which is likely to be meaningful - the Browns should win the division.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) - The Steelers should be even better than they were in 2007, which is saying quite a bit, since they finished 10-6 and won the AFC North. The addition of rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall and receiver Limas Sweed will bolster an offense that at times relied too heavily on the arm of Ben Roethlisberger or the legs of running back Willie Parker.

The Steelers were a very capable bunch, putting up 24.6 points per outing, while the stingy defense yielded only 16.8 points on average, just 0.4 behind the Colts for the best in the league.

Last season, Pittsburgh held up well at home, losing just once in 8 dates. However, the one team that turned the tables was the same one they met in the first round of the playoffs, Jacksonville, who knocked them out on wild card weekend.

The Steelers should get a significant challenge from both Cleveland and Baltimore in the division. Baltimore won the regular season finale, but that was a meaningless contest. Pittsburgh had already clinched the division title.

A couple of key dates are on the early schedule for the Steelers in 2008. In weeks 2 and 3 they travel to Cleveland and to Philadelphia prior to a home date with Baltimore and a trip to Jacksonville before the bye.

It doesn't get any easier after that. Foes include the Giants, Colts, Chargers, Redskins, Cowboys, Titans and Patriots. That's seven tough games, almost without a break. The season ends with a visit from arch-rival Cleveland.

Pittsburgh may suffer the fate of the Browns in 2008, being the best team to miss the playoffs. The schedule is the most brutal of any team in the league.

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Baltimore Ravens (7-9) - While the Ravens suffered through one of their worst seasons ever in 2007 (5-11), most of the damage came after QB Steve McNair went down with a season-ending (and now, career-ending) injury. RB Willis McGahee also had his season end early due to injury. The Ravens were 4-5 at the time, but with Kyle Boller and a patchwork line and receiving corps, they won only once more, a season finale, 27-21 win over the Steelers in a game that meant nothing to Pittsburgh.

With McNair now departed, the starting job reverts back to Boller, but he'll have more options than last season. Rutgers' running back Ray Rice was drafted in the second round and McGahee is coming back into form. The wideouts are still not top-notch, however, and remains a serious concern.

The defense will be one of the best in the conference - they always are - but keeping them off the field will be the main duty of the offense. With more running in the mix, it should help. Still, the schedule is brutal and the Ravens can only hope to reach 8-8 at best.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-11) - No defense. Period. The Bengals allowed 348 yards per game in 2007 - a continuing theme over the years - and the offense had the 3rd-worst rushing attack in the conference. Too much emphasis was placed on the passing game, as Carson Palmer has established himself as one of the best passers in the league, but he can't do it without a running game. Also, the off-season antics of Chad (Ocho-Cinco) Johnson haven't helped the atmosphere.

Johnson, who has been vocal about seeking a new contract from the Bengals or a trade, is an irritant, but still a valuable weapon, most of the time.

RB Chris Perry spent '07 on injured reserve, and is excepted to be ready for opening day. Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson should get most of the work in the backfield, but it's questionable as to whether either will be productive enough.

The defense is still in need of much more coaching, though the draft helped, with LB Keith Rivers from USC and DT Pat Sims from Auburn the top draft choices.

A brutal slate of games in a tough conference and division equates to another year of anguish for Cincinnati fans.

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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