Post by Cincinnati Bengals (Chris) on Aug 31, 2017 4:05:13 GMT -5
AFC NORTH
For the fourth straight year, I’ll be handling PRs and Divisional Previews, which begin…NOW! We start with the AFC North, a division that ranked first in average finish, and produced four playoff teams a year ago, which has only happened on one other occasion. Pittsburgh again held on to the division crown for a third consecutive year last season, and will look to make it four in a row. Will one of the other three-playoff teams from a year ago usurp the champion? Let me know what you think about my projections and post you own comments. Also, DON’T FORGET to vote in the poll, as that’s the whole point.
Baltimore Ravens (Goose)
Last year’s finish: 14th (Division: 3rd)
Outlook: Baltimore received potentially devastating news on the eve of the season (Of which Garrett was the beneficiary), in that he lost Spencer Ware, his only starting running back, for the season. With only Darren Sproles and Tyler Ervin in the fold, this imperils the Ravens’ chances of fielding a top-10 or even top-half offense this year. He does have decent receiver depth as well as a perhaps resurgent Julius Thomas. He will also enjoy perhaps the last affordable year of Matthew Stafford. Defensively, it’s a rather underwhelming group, at least as far as this year is concerned, but Hasson Reddick and Derek Barnett, in particular, give a more positive outlook going forward.
X-factor: Defense. We already know that the running back situation is going to be potentially rocky, but if this defense can exceed expectations and be even average, then perhaps the Ravens can elevate in this division and/or make the playoffs.
Projected division finish: 3rd
Cincinnati Bengals (Chris)
Last year’s finish: 13th (Division: 2nd)
Outlook: On paper, this is the best Cincinnati team since 2014. Chris comes into the year with talent and potential production abound at running back with Christian McCaffrey and Paul Perkins, a workable, solid, if unspectacular group of veterans at wide receiver, and an up-and-comer at tight end in Austin Hooper on offense. Defensively, the Bengals sport a high-upside top-three on the defensive line with Michael Bennett, Robert Ayers Jr. and Kyle Williams, and a fivesome of current starting middle linebackers (Mason Foster, David Harris, Brandon Marshall, Jaylon Smith and Brian Cushing), and four starting safeties, Tavon Wilson, Mike Adams, Quintin Demps and Micah Hyde.
X-factor: Quarterback. As is always the case, Chris is fighting an uphill battle here. Can Tom Savage keep him competitive enough to take advantage of having one of the deepest rosters in the league? If not, he may find himself having another 2015 a la Sam Bradford.
Projected division finish: 2nd
Cleveland Browns (Kevin)
Last year’s finish: 16th (Division: 4th)
Outlook: The variance on what Kevin does is perhaps as much as any other team, both in and outside of the AFC North. Drew Brees is pretty good…still…right? Jamison Crowder seems likely to return top-20 or 25 WR value, but beyond that, the offense is a dice roll. Dorial Green-Beckham and Victor Cruz don’t appear to be roster-bound in 2017, and Albert Wilson is at best the #3 WR on a team that doesn’t throw the ball often. Furthermore, Xavier Grimble, an inconsistent athletic upside option at TE has fallen further down the depth chart in Pittsburgh with the trade for Vance McDonald. Running back is where the fluctuation is potentially the highest. Two backs could be the leaders of their respective committees, and Darren McFadden can be an early-season darling if Ezekial Elliott is unable to get an injunction to stay his suspension. Defensively, the Browns profile as an solid unit. Led by second-year standout Joey Bosa, Justin Houston, Kawann Short, Reggie Nelson and a cast of others who could be contributors by season’s end, Kevin’s potential shortcomings won’t be on this side of the ball.
X-factor: Running back roulette. If everything breaks right, the Browns could have three backs that return top-20 value for the first 6 weeks. If not, he could have none in the top-40. Kevin’s the only GM for which I can realistically make that claim, I’m sure.
Projected division finish: 4th
Pittsburgh Steelers (Garrett)
Last year’s finish: 4th (Division: 1st)
Outlook: Garrett has prepared himself well for serious title contention again, sidestepping a potentially devastating quarterback situation (Ryan Tannehill’s second ACL tear in as many years) by signing Jay Cutler (Though Chris sure made him take it to the max in the bidding process). He has managed to hang on to the core of Le’Veon Bell, Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Matthews offensively, though as many of them are on unsustainable one-year contracts, one could be warranted to ask if this is the last year in the window with this group. The rich, however, get richer, as Garrett was gifted a second starting running back in Kareem Hunt just days before the start of the season. Vance McDonald may also play a larger role in Pittsburgh as opposed to San Francisco. There is quite a bit of uncertainty beyond that, as Kenyan Drake has rotated between the #2 and #3 RB in Miami, and there were whispers that Charles Sims wouldn’t even make the 53-man in Tampa Bay (Which looks incorrect now, but only serves to illustrate the uncertainty with his role). Will Fuller was one of the worst receivers in football a year ago on a per-snap/per-route basis, and will miss at least the first month of the season with injury. Garrett was able to do a little housekeeping with the trading of perennial underachiever/first round bust Phillip Dorsett, and releasing one-year wonder Gary Barnidge. However, Garrett has more than enough on this side of the ball, and will field another top-5 offense (Potentially the worst case scenario). Defensively, the unit looks top-10 as well, with an Everson Griffen and Geno Atkins DL, Zach Brown, Mark Barron and Myles Jack at LB (And a cadre of potential starters in Todd Davis, Mychal Kendricks, Keenan Robinson and Cory James). The secondary is solid as well, with Jahleel Addae and Devin McCourty. All-in-all, it’s one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league.
X-factor: Depth/threat of injury. If health doesn’t play a part, it’s hard to see Garrett not running away with the division and perhaps the conference. That said, up against the salary cap, and with few tradable non-essential assets, a serious injury could force Garrett to have to make some tough choices about this year and the impact of chasing a title versus future.
Projected division finish: 1st
Remember to watch out for the second of our divisional previews, this time the AFC South, which should drop in the next few days. Thanks again guys.
For the fourth straight year, I’ll be handling PRs and Divisional Previews, which begin…NOW! We start with the AFC North, a division that ranked first in average finish, and produced four playoff teams a year ago, which has only happened on one other occasion. Pittsburgh again held on to the division crown for a third consecutive year last season, and will look to make it four in a row. Will one of the other three-playoff teams from a year ago usurp the champion? Let me know what you think about my projections and post you own comments. Also, DON’T FORGET to vote in the poll, as that’s the whole point.
Baltimore Ravens (Goose)
Last year’s finish: 14th (Division: 3rd)
Outlook: Baltimore received potentially devastating news on the eve of the season (Of which Garrett was the beneficiary), in that he lost Spencer Ware, his only starting running back, for the season. With only Darren Sproles and Tyler Ervin in the fold, this imperils the Ravens’ chances of fielding a top-10 or even top-half offense this year. He does have decent receiver depth as well as a perhaps resurgent Julius Thomas. He will also enjoy perhaps the last affordable year of Matthew Stafford. Defensively, it’s a rather underwhelming group, at least as far as this year is concerned, but Hasson Reddick and Derek Barnett, in particular, give a more positive outlook going forward.
X-factor: Defense. We already know that the running back situation is going to be potentially rocky, but if this defense can exceed expectations and be even average, then perhaps the Ravens can elevate in this division and/or make the playoffs.
Projected division finish: 3rd
Cincinnati Bengals (Chris)
Last year’s finish: 13th (Division: 2nd)
Outlook: On paper, this is the best Cincinnati team since 2014. Chris comes into the year with talent and potential production abound at running back with Christian McCaffrey and Paul Perkins, a workable, solid, if unspectacular group of veterans at wide receiver, and an up-and-comer at tight end in Austin Hooper on offense. Defensively, the Bengals sport a high-upside top-three on the defensive line with Michael Bennett, Robert Ayers Jr. and Kyle Williams, and a fivesome of current starting middle linebackers (Mason Foster, David Harris, Brandon Marshall, Jaylon Smith and Brian Cushing), and four starting safeties, Tavon Wilson, Mike Adams, Quintin Demps and Micah Hyde.
X-factor: Quarterback. As is always the case, Chris is fighting an uphill battle here. Can Tom Savage keep him competitive enough to take advantage of having one of the deepest rosters in the league? If not, he may find himself having another 2015 a la Sam Bradford.
Projected division finish: 2nd
Cleveland Browns (Kevin)
Last year’s finish: 16th (Division: 4th)
Outlook: The variance on what Kevin does is perhaps as much as any other team, both in and outside of the AFC North. Drew Brees is pretty good…still…right? Jamison Crowder seems likely to return top-20 or 25 WR value, but beyond that, the offense is a dice roll. Dorial Green-Beckham and Victor Cruz don’t appear to be roster-bound in 2017, and Albert Wilson is at best the #3 WR on a team that doesn’t throw the ball often. Furthermore, Xavier Grimble, an inconsistent athletic upside option at TE has fallen further down the depth chart in Pittsburgh with the trade for Vance McDonald. Running back is where the fluctuation is potentially the highest. Two backs could be the leaders of their respective committees, and Darren McFadden can be an early-season darling if Ezekial Elliott is unable to get an injunction to stay his suspension. Defensively, the Browns profile as an solid unit. Led by second-year standout Joey Bosa, Justin Houston, Kawann Short, Reggie Nelson and a cast of others who could be contributors by season’s end, Kevin’s potential shortcomings won’t be on this side of the ball.
X-factor: Running back roulette. If everything breaks right, the Browns could have three backs that return top-20 value for the first 6 weeks. If not, he could have none in the top-40. Kevin’s the only GM for which I can realistically make that claim, I’m sure.
Projected division finish: 4th
Pittsburgh Steelers (Garrett)
Last year’s finish: 4th (Division: 1st)
Outlook: Garrett has prepared himself well for serious title contention again, sidestepping a potentially devastating quarterback situation (Ryan Tannehill’s second ACL tear in as many years) by signing Jay Cutler (Though Chris sure made him take it to the max in the bidding process). He has managed to hang on to the core of Le’Veon Bell, Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Matthews offensively, though as many of them are on unsustainable one-year contracts, one could be warranted to ask if this is the last year in the window with this group. The rich, however, get richer, as Garrett was gifted a second starting running back in Kareem Hunt just days before the start of the season. Vance McDonald may also play a larger role in Pittsburgh as opposed to San Francisco. There is quite a bit of uncertainty beyond that, as Kenyan Drake has rotated between the #2 and #3 RB in Miami, and there were whispers that Charles Sims wouldn’t even make the 53-man in Tampa Bay (Which looks incorrect now, but only serves to illustrate the uncertainty with his role). Will Fuller was one of the worst receivers in football a year ago on a per-snap/per-route basis, and will miss at least the first month of the season with injury. Garrett was able to do a little housekeeping with the trading of perennial underachiever/first round bust Phillip Dorsett, and releasing one-year wonder Gary Barnidge. However, Garrett has more than enough on this side of the ball, and will field another top-5 offense (Potentially the worst case scenario). Defensively, the unit looks top-10 as well, with an Everson Griffen and Geno Atkins DL, Zach Brown, Mark Barron and Myles Jack at LB (And a cadre of potential starters in Todd Davis, Mychal Kendricks, Keenan Robinson and Cory James). The secondary is solid as well, with Jahleel Addae and Devin McCourty. All-in-all, it’s one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league.
X-factor: Depth/threat of injury. If health doesn’t play a part, it’s hard to see Garrett not running away with the division and perhaps the conference. That said, up against the salary cap, and with few tradable non-essential assets, a serious injury could force Garrett to have to make some tough choices about this year and the impact of chasing a title versus future.
Projected division finish: 1st
Remember to watch out for the second of our divisional previews, this time the AFC South, which should drop in the next few days. Thanks again guys.