NFL
By Monte Perez.
The AFC North is a division that has been dominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens over the past decade. We might be seeing a changing of the guard in this division. The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals are teams on the rise.
AFC North:
Cleveland Browns (Projected Record, 12-5):
The Browns had one of the best off-season of any team in the NFL. They are loaded on both sides of the ball. They addressed their shortcomings from last year and added talent and depth. This is a team that should dominate the line of scrimmage with their power running game. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are the best 1-2 combo in the NFL. Chubb averaged 5.2 yards per rush and Hunt averaged 4.2 yards from the line of scrimmage and caught 38 balls out of the backfield. Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., and Tight End, Austin Hooper, could all make the Pro-Bowl this season. Baker Mayfield must manage the games and not turn the ball over. There is a plethora of talent around him.
Defensively the Browns should be a solid unit that creates sacks and turnovers. They addressed defensive in the 2021 Draft.
1st round – Pick 26:
- CB Greg Newsome II – Northwestern.
2nd round – Pick 52:
- LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame.
Myles Garrett had 12 sacks last season, and Jadeveon Clowney’s addition should help Garett see fewer double teams from offensive lines. The Browns’ secondary should be vastly improved as well.
Cleveland has not won their division title since 1989, that all changes this year. Cleveland wins the AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens (Projected Record, 12-5):
The Baltimore Ravens have been the NFL’s highest-scoring team in Lamar Jackson’s first two full seasons as the starting quarterback. They averaged 31.2 points under Jackson during the regular season but only scored 32 points in Jackson’s 3 post-season losses. Running back, J.K. Dobbins looks to build on his 805 yards and 9 touchdown rookie campaign. The Wide Receiving group should be much better with the addition of Sammy Watkins and Marquise Brown. Mark Andrews is an elite Tight End. He had 58 receptions last season and caught 7 touchdown passes. Jackson has improved every year as a starting quarterback. He still struggles with consistency at times. If he wants to take his game and this team to the next level, he must improve on his 57% career completion percentage.
Over the past three seasons, Baltimore ranks first in the NFL in the fewest yards given up (307.8) and fewest points allowed (18.2). This season, the Ravens return all but one starter on defense. This is a unit and team that is very well-coached, and they rarely beat themselves. Ravens could win this division and play for a Super Bowl this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Projected Record, 10-7):
The Steelers have the league’s toughest strength of schedule based on opponents’ win-loss records in 2020. Ben Roethlisberger is 39-years old. He will face Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Baker Mayfield twice this season in one of the league’s toughest divisions. Pittsburgh finished the season 12-4 last year and got thumped by the Browns in the playoffs, 48-37. Cleveland was up 28-0 at the end of the first quarter. Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season on the sidelines, but it may be time to move off him. When your team does not show up in the post-season, that is directly on the head coach.
The Steelers needed offensive line help but drafted running back Najee Harris with their 24th pick in the first round. In the second round, they drafted Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State. Their 3rd round selection went to Kendrick Green, C/G, Illinois. Green will have huge shoes to fill since Maurkice Pouncey retired. The wide receiving group should put up numbers. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and Diontae Johnson combined for 247 receptions and 25 touchdowns. Eric Ebron is a reliable Tight End.
Defensively the Steelers could be one of the division’s best. Minkah Fitzpatrick, TJ Watt, and Cameron Heyward should have Pro-Bowl season.
This team is trending downward, and this could be Tomlin’s last season on the sidelines wearing the Black and Gold.
Cincinnati Bengals (Projected Record, 5-12):
The Bengals are in the same situation as the New York Jets. They are trying to rebuild with a young quarterback in a division that is stacked. If he did not get injured, Joe Burrow could have won rookie of the year. In 10 games, he threw for 2,688 yards, completed 65.3% of his passes, and had 13 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins caught 146 catches and 10 touchdown passes last season. The Bengals’ selected Ja’Marr Chase, WR from LSU with the 5th overall selection. Joe Mixon, if healthy, could be a very effective dual-threat out of the backfield.
On defense, Cincinnati’s two safeties led them in tackles. Vonn Bell and Jessie Bats III combined for 223 total tackles. That means that the Bengals’ front 7 were not doing their job upfront. This team only had 17 sacks in 2020. There is not one defensive player on this team who will put fear in opposing offenses.
Chase should be a top 10 WR, but the Bengals needed help on the offensive and defensive line.
5 wins should be the goal and Cincinnati fans, be happy with it.
Follow The Sports Whisperer on Twitter: MonteJP231
Watch The Full Monte Sports Show:
