The Baltimore Ravens may have lost Adalius Thomas to Free Agency, but the Ravens still have Ray Lewis, the best linebacker in the AFC. Add to that defense Samari Rolle, Steve McNair's old buddy from Tennesee, and that the Ravens now have upgraded their running game with Willis McGahee, and Baltimore is going to win the AFC North.
Prediction: 10-6, 1st Place.
What have the teams like Cincinnatti, Pittsburgh and Cleveland done to try to keep up? Here's a quick recap.
CINCINNATTI BENGALS: If The Cincinnati Bengals can spend more time on the field than behind bars, they have a chance to keep up with Baltimore through the early part of the season. The loss of David Pollack for the entire season hurts, but the Bengals still have one of the best offenses in the AFC. Carson Palmer needs to take the next step this year, and Chad Johnson, "Ocho Cinco" will continue to be the focal point of the Bengals passing game, although the loss of Chris Henry for the first eight games will hurt. The Bengals will continue running the ball with Rudi Johnson, who will carry the ball enough times to reach 1,000 yards rushing. I just think Cincinnati needs to show they can step it up in the abscence of David Pollack on the defense and Chris Henry for the first half of the season on offense.
Prediction: 8-8, 2nd Place.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: The Pittsburgh Steelers finally "Won one for the thumb" with their Super Bowl XL victory over the Seahawks, but Pittsburgh is a totally different team since they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy two seasons ago. Jerome Bettis, "The Bus" is gone, Antwaan Randle-El is now with the Redskins, Joey Porter is now with the Dolphins, Ben Rothlisberger is still trying to recover from the adverse effects of his Motorcycle Accident, and former Head Coach Bill Cowher has, at least for now, retired. The Steelers now have former Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Mike Tomlin as their Head Coach. Joey Porter has been replaced by Linebacker Lamar Woodley out of Michigan. Hines Ward is still there, and he will be the focal pointr for Ben Rothelisberger this year, as always. Willie Parker, who broke the longest Touchdown Run in the History of the Super Bowl in Super Bowl XL, could run for up to 1,000 yards, as longtime Steeler Alan Faneca in fact will get ready for the season despite his unhappiness with his current contract. There is just too much missing from the Steelers to have a playoff year this year, but I think they will be in better position next season.
Prediction: 7-9, 3rd Place.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: The "Dawg Pound" is clamoring for Brady Quinn to be the Starting QB for the Browns by the start of the season opener, but it doesn't appear as if it's going to happen. Right Now, the Strting QB job is Charlie Frye's to lose and Brady Quinn's to gain. The Browns have Jamal Lewis, but he is really on the downside of his career. I don't see him rushing for 1,000 yards. Willie McGinest, the former Patriot, is winding down his carrer in Cleveland, and if the team does not show improvement right away, Romeo Crennel might get the axe as Head Coach before the season is over.
Prediction: 6-10, 4th Place.
The Next NFL Preview will be the AFC South. Is Vince Young ready to take the next step, or will hw suffer the "Sophomore Slump", or worse, the "Madden Curse?" Did Jacksonville make a mistake by letting go of Byron Leftwich? Find out all of this and more in the next NFL Preview.
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