Summer Scramble: AFC North Burning Questions and Prediction

It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty prepared for training camp. We're calling it the Summer Scramble. Today we look at some burning questions in the AFC North and offer a ridiculously early prediction for how the division will finish.

Do the Steelers have enough depth on the offensive line?

This actually matters, because if the Steelers have a weakness it's that their offense (specifically, their quarterback) is a little bit mistake-prone. Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception once every 31.3 pass attempts in 2008. The only regular starters who were picked off more frequently were Brett Favre (23.7) and Gus Frerotte (20.1). The only quarterback who was sacked more often than Roethlisberger in 2008 was Matt Cassel. The Steelers' defense and running game are so good that they mask this, and once the playoffs roll around Roethlisberger locks in and plays a more focused, mistake-free game. But if those regular-season trends hold up, the Steelers' offensive line is going to be crucial.

Tackles Willie Colon and Max Starks are returning mainstays, as are left guard Chris Kemoeatu and center Justin Hartwig. But Pittsburgh made the line an obvious point of emphasis in the draft, picking Kraig Urbik in the third round and A.Q. Shipley in the seventh. If Urbik can come quickly enough to win the starting right guard spot, it might help add some power to the running game. It also would allow Darnell Stapleton to function as something of an all-around O-line backup able to fill in at either guard spot as well as center. The more oomph they can add to the run game on which their offense is built, the better. And the more time they can give Roethlisberger to make the best decision possible when the play is on him...that's going to be a big help too.

Is there really this much reason for optimism in Cincinnati?

The Bengals have emerged as a chic sleeper pick in this, the season of ridiculously early predictions, and there are some good reasons for that. They had an absolutely stellar draft. Carson Palmer is apparently healthy, and having Andre Smith playing in front of him should help him stay that way as well as make the running game more formidable. The defense is loaded with good young talent. The pieces are in place for a nice season in Cincinnati...assuming everything goes right. Now, in Cincinnati it doesn't often do that, and there's no doubt that Bengals fans should and will temper their enthusiasm for that reason. They'll miss T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Laveranues Coles is a downgrade. Character concerns still litter their roster, and could undo Smith and that stellar-looking draft class. So sure, there's reason for hope, but people, come on. These are the Bengals. Wouldn't it be better to expect little and be surprised than to expect a lot and be let down? Again?

Who's going to catch the ball in Balitmore?

Well, this went ahead and became the burning question for the Ravens earlier this week, didn't it? Whether you buy the Derrick Mason retirement story or not, at best he's now a big question mark. And they weren't ultra-strong at receiver to begin with. The Ravens will employ a three-headed rushing attack with Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and Le'Ron McLain splitting carries, but young Joe Flacco is going to need some folks to whom he can throw that deep ball. Unless Mark Clayton can surprise everybody and emerge as a No. 1-caliber wideout and Demetrius Williams as a strong second option -- or unless they can get lightning in a bottle with a veteran free agent like Marvin Harrison -- the Ravens are going to struggle to keep defenses from keying on their running game all year.

Are the Browns trying to be this year's Lions?

It's not hard to make a case for the Browns as the worst team in the NFL in 2009. They ranked third from the bottom of the league in points per game in 2008 and traded their best offensive weapon, tight end Kellen Winslow, to Tampa Bay. They brought in a new coach, Eric Mangini, who alienated everybody and accomplished little in New York. They have no idea who their quarterback is because the choice is between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson and they don't like either one of them. Their best receiver, Braylon Edwards, has the drops and they spent most of April trying (unsuccessfully) to trade him. Their best running back is Jamal Lewis, whose best days are obviously behind him. It's a mess. They have a couple of young stars in left tackle Joe Thomas and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, but on balance there's very little to like about this team, and very little reason to expect it to be any kind of a factor.

RIDICULOUSLY EARLY PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Steelers (11-5): Defending champs are too solid in too many areas for anybody in this crowd to knock them off.

2. Bengals (9-7): Hedging? Sure. But there's some good and some bad here, and that adds up to middle-of-the-pack.

3. Ravens (8-8): The defense is still good, but can they score enough points to crack the AFC playoff field?

4. Browns (2-14): If there's a team that can match the Lions' 0-16 of a year ago, it's the one on the shores of Lake Erie.

Tuesday, July 21: NFC South Position Battles to Watch
Wednesday, July 22: NFC South Burning Questions and Prediction
Thursday, July 23: AFC South Position Battles to Watch
Friday, July 24: AFC South Burning Questions and Prediction

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-17-2009 @ 10:11AM

A. J. said...

Roethlisberger is mistake prone and it was masked by it's running game???? You sir, are a moron. Big Ben is the only reason that offense does anything thanks to an inept offensive line and our running game was awful last season. You clearly have not one clue what you are talking about.

7-17-2009 @ 11:44AM

Completely Useless said...

How will Cleveland finish 2-12? Will they fold operations before the end of the season?

7-17-2009 @ 12:01PM

Rick said...

Cleveland Clowns 2009 schedule revised.........Game One is now vs St. Mary's School For The Blind. Minnesota must've backed out...........lol

7-17-2009 @ 6:34PM

Craigo said...

The Steelers averaged 3.7 YPC last season. Only the Lions, Colts, and Cards were worse.

This is the rushing game that supposedly carries Roethlisberger?

7-18-2009 @ 12:17AM

daveenlakwood said...

Is this writer really claiming he knows football... or is he 6 years old.... This Division is gonna be a slug fest just like the nfc east..... I predict the stellers will not even be 500..... look for the browns to surprise the nfl under mangini..... the players are playing for their jobs, and if they don't , they wont make the team after preseason... no more opening day blowouts.... crispy creme and wing bucket Crennel is gone and so is his flipping coins for starters, kicking fields when down by double digits, and players running the team.... all gone.... Mangini knows this is his last head coaching opportunity and the fans will not except a 2-14 record this year, cause they'll be calling Bill Cowhers name out and expect a bad record to result in a short stay for mangini..... the fans are tired off Lerners losing product

7-18-2009 @ 11:59AM

lorekbob2 said...

blogger sure doesnt know football,as the world knows the steelers rushing game doesnt carry ben.steelers have become an elite passing team with the run being secondary for clock control.and i figure the browns will win 5 games.gonna be a boring season for the north till the playoffs.....battle will be for 2nd place,lol....

7-19-2009 @ 6:01PM

papajames828 said...

I'm going out on a limb and pick the Ravens to finish a close 2nd to Pittsburgh just like last season. True, the absence of Mason will make the other receivers step it up a notch. True, the other teams will be keying on the running game, not unlike they have done over the past decade. I still think that at the end of the day a great defense will outshine a mediocre offensive line. Watch out Roth, Palmy, and Quinn, T-Sizzle is coming for you armed with a new contract and no worries about the future in Baltimore.

7-22-2009 @ 10:22AM

Th said...

That is excellent. Baltimore does well when they are not over predicted. Mark Clayton is going to step it up. Cam Cameron was just getting started with the offense. Ben gets hit too much he holds on to the ball I heard his own Steeler Fans in Hershey complaining he holds the ball to long and gets knocked out. Bengals and Browns can only improve. I think this could be the big surprise division. The Ravens still may somehow come up with another surprise Receiver. I think Mason will come back. Thank you Miami for giving us Cam!!!! We have the best Owner, GM in the NFL that let Harbaugh and Coaches do their jobs!
Defense and the Running game will be the real work horses for us with the Offense, the young offense improving! Go Flacco!!!!!
I love our three Running backs and Billick would not have used them well like Cam does. Throw them 6 yarders and let the big Guy ground it out for 10 more as they can't tackle him. Football is tough though. Key injuries to any of the stars can change a whole season. Look at the Pats who did get ripped off not making the Playoffs. That AFC North is another wild division. I think Houston will surprise in their division and the Colts and Tennessee will not do as well as predicted. The Bills could be a big surprise as TO usually does well his first year in New Place. That Quaterback could get pushed up a notch as did Tony R. did from TO the first year.One of these years many teams are going to go around 8-8 and their will be no 16-0 teams let alone no 13-3 teams either. I love the NFL and the salary cap. Baseball the Yanks Red Sox Dodgers buy everybody. Football you go paying too much for a handful of players you are in trouble. Ravens have the best GM!

Balt 10-6
Cin 9-7
Pit 9-7
Clev 7-9

7-20-2009 @ 11:45AM

landmantimpamd88 said...

I'll go out on the limb and pick them first!
I think the Steelers offensive Line is suspect.... We will see though. I think it is a Tough Division! Ravens had a First year Head Coach and Cam Cameron is going to keep improving our Offense and with exciting play calling. I think Clayton is going to step it up a notch! Ravens could use 3 Tide Ends similiar to what they did with the Running Backs! I love it I can't wait for the Football to start! I like how Cam had Flacco throw to the Running backs, why not!!! Keep them all fresh use them all. Against Dallas two Ravens Running backs ran for big Runs..

7-21-2009 @ 1:10AM

iamsteelers57 said...

its going to be rough for the steel team to repeat,everyone is going to be shooting for them every week,but if they can with stand to grule of the games then they might have a shot at repeating,barring injury they just might but unlikely,but forever more STEELERS 4EVER

8-12-2009 @ 12:50PM

Chris said...

Steelers 11-5
Balitomre 9-7/10-6
Cinci- 7-9
Cleveland 4-12

Steelers win division over Baltimore again at home after battling down the stretch. Balitmore is a damn good team and the ONLY threat to Pittsburgh in this division. Roethlisberger is INT prone only because he forces plays and holds the ball. For the first time in recorded history Pittsburgh didn't have a running game last year and still over came the most difficult schedule in the league. The weak O line is as much to blame on SOME of Bens stats and is masked by Dick Labeau's (sp?) genious ability to organize a phenominal defensive performance.

8-14-2009 @ 10:43PM

GeraldGirand said...

What a joke, we've been duped once more by Mike Brown, and his token coach Marvin Lewis, let's face it, these guys are losers, who would want to come here and play ?
Marvin ? your a defensive couch, that's it Pal.
Mike Brown! your a thief and a joke, sell the team ! But let it be said, if they go 5-11 it will be a good year.