Cleveland Browns -It’s an almost creepy feeling, thinking that the Cleveland Browns can possibly be the best team in the AFC North in 2008. It;s like picking the Cubs to win the World Series. You just know something bad is going to happen to derail the Browns train. But there it is. You can’t predict the unpredicatable. You just gotta roll with it.
The Cleveland Browns went 10-6 in 2007, pushing themselves to the brink of the playoffs. Somehow Romeo Crennel found a quarterback in Derek Anderson, a quarterback that managed to light up an offense on more than one occasion. Jamal Brown found new life. Kellen Winslow caught 82 passes and Braylon Edwards became a threat. Are the Cleveland Browns Super Bowl material? Probably not but they aren’t doormats anymore and they are good enough to win the AFC North. And once you get into the playoffs anything can happen.
Pittsburgh Steelers – On the face of it the Pittsburgh Steelers should be favored in the AFC North. Didn’t they win 5 out of 6 in their division in 2007? Isn’t Big Ben the best QB in the division? the fly in the ointment is The Steelers potential weakness in the offensive line. Personnel losses and some shaky bodies could unravel early in the season and slow down the rushing attack while forcing Roethlisberger to scramble more than he’d like. But that’s just an itchy feeling way down in my gut. The Steelers will win 10 games won’t they?
Cincinnati Bengals – It wasn’t too long ago the Cincinnati Bengals were a hot commodity, hailed as the next powerhouse AFC offensive juggernaut. Then they went to trial and the whole thing fell apart like Boss Hog in a room alone with Daisy Duke. What this team needs is some mre talent on defense and medication for manc depression.
Baltimore Ravens – Too soon to tell. I just can’t pick them to go anywhere after the loss of Steve McNair, even though McNair was obviously on the downside. The defense is aging like bad cheese. Kyle Boller or Joe Flacco? Either can be picked apart for different reasons? I just can’t find a reason to get excited about their prospects.