Post by xCRUFFx on Aug 6, 2010 19:00:54 GMT -5
--AFC NORTH PREVIEW--
2010 Recap
This division was a tale of two teams in 2010. The Steelers dominated the division in the first three seasons of VNFL 10 and then Ravens re-tooled and dominated the last three seasons and became the first ever back to back VNFL Super Bowl champions. The Cincinatti Bengals had a revolving door installed at their facility as coach after coach entered and exited this franchise. The lack of a leader resulted in the Bengals consistently finishing near the bottom of the league. The Browns on the other hand were competitive but were never able to take the next step and did not make the playoffs in any of the six VNFL seasons.
2011 Preview
Coach Lock_Down_ takes over the Baltimore Ravens after being stifled in the tough NFC West in 2010. Coach Lock_Down_ often played 3rd fiddle behind the Rams and Cardinals who jockeyed for the top 2 positions in the NFC West. This year, Lock_Down_ should benefit in a more wide open division and should collect a playoff birth in his inaugural year in Baltimore. The acquisition of WR Boldin should help the vertical passing game that lacked a true game breaker while QB Flacco and RB Rice should develop into a great 1-2 punch. The Ravens should challenge the Steelers for the division crown, but the Steelers remain the big dog until someone kicks them off. With the talent on offense and defense, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Ravens win the division title in year one.
The Steelers were a perennial playoff team in 2010, making the playoffs in all six seasons, although the biggest knock against Coach xdog30 were his early exits in the playoff tournament. The Steelers should continue to stand at the top of the AFC North with the Ravens posing as the only threat within the division. At this point, it’s arguable that the Steelers should make the playoffs each year as a division winner or at worst a wildcard team. The team is unproven at WR (outside of Hines Ward) and only time will tell on whether RB Mendenhall will be able to transform into a franchise back. The Steelers’ success will always depend on their defense, lead by SS Polamalu, and should be able to match up with any team in the league. There is one major concern within the Steelers camp, and that is if QB Big Ben can mature, focus on football, and keep IT in his pants. Coach xdog30 didn’t hesistate sending Big Ben packing last year, I wonder if he’ll do the same this year.
Coach jstraus7205 returns to his hometown to lead the Browns back to glory. Unfortunately, the lack of offensive talent on the roster will hinder his chances for a playoff birth in 2011. WR Josh Cribbs and HB Jerome Harrison are the only explosive playmakers on offense and does not scare off any defense. The Browns will be QB’d by Panthers cast out Jake “I wanna go” Delhomme and should keep the seat warm until Colt McCoy is ready to take the helm. Many scouts have their doubts about QB McCoy but it’s clear that the Browns need to find a franchise QB in order to move forward as a franchise. The defense is workable, having three legitimate corners on the roster, including rookie CB Haden, but safety will be a concern. The LB unit is solid, if unspectacular, and the defensive line should be able to hold the point of attack. The Browns should be able to be competitive against middle and lower tier teams, but would have trouble versus the elite.
And that brings us to the Cincinatti Bengals – no longer the Bungles based on talent. The recent signing of diva WR Owens, should bring some additional excitement in Cincy, but it makes me wonder whether Owens and Ocho Cinco would be able to co-exists on and off the field with their MASSIVE egos. Coach FatboybobPSN will have his work cut out for him, having to juggle such personalities, something he didn’t have to worry about in his previous stint in Atlanta. The Bengals are a talented team on offense and defense, but their mental makeup is concerning at this point. Coach Fatboybob should be able to squeeze some wins for the year, but the team will be expected to struggle similar to how Atlanta faired in 2010.
The Steelers and Ravens are head and shoulders above the division and should make for a good division rivalry. The Ravens are more talented than the Steelers this year on offense and defense and an easier division should catapult Lock_Down_ to at least a 10 to 12 win season and a division title.
Win/Loss Predictions:
Ravens: 11-5 (division winner)
Steelers: 10-6 (wildcard)
Browns: 6-10
Bengals: 4-12
Next: NFC South (August 7th)
Team | 2010 Owner | 2011 Owner |
Baltimore Ravens | resdoxnation | Lock_Down_ |
Cincinatti Bengals | various owners | Fatboybobpsn |
Cleveland Browns | JoeBush | jstraus |
Pittsburgh Steelers | xdog30 | xdog30 |
2010 Recap
This division was a tale of two teams in 2010. The Steelers dominated the division in the first three seasons of VNFL 10 and then Ravens re-tooled and dominated the last three seasons and became the first ever back to back VNFL Super Bowl champions. The Cincinatti Bengals had a revolving door installed at their facility as coach after coach entered and exited this franchise. The lack of a leader resulted in the Bengals consistently finishing near the bottom of the league. The Browns on the other hand were competitive but were never able to take the next step and did not make the playoffs in any of the six VNFL seasons.
2011 Preview
Coach Lock_Down_ takes over the Baltimore Ravens after being stifled in the tough NFC West in 2010. Coach Lock_Down_ often played 3rd fiddle behind the Rams and Cardinals who jockeyed for the top 2 positions in the NFC West. This year, Lock_Down_ should benefit in a more wide open division and should collect a playoff birth in his inaugural year in Baltimore. The acquisition of WR Boldin should help the vertical passing game that lacked a true game breaker while QB Flacco and RB Rice should develop into a great 1-2 punch. The Ravens should challenge the Steelers for the division crown, but the Steelers remain the big dog until someone kicks them off. With the talent on offense and defense, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Ravens win the division title in year one.
The Steelers were a perennial playoff team in 2010, making the playoffs in all six seasons, although the biggest knock against Coach xdog30 were his early exits in the playoff tournament. The Steelers should continue to stand at the top of the AFC North with the Ravens posing as the only threat within the division. At this point, it’s arguable that the Steelers should make the playoffs each year as a division winner or at worst a wildcard team. The team is unproven at WR (outside of Hines Ward) and only time will tell on whether RB Mendenhall will be able to transform into a franchise back. The Steelers’ success will always depend on their defense, lead by SS Polamalu, and should be able to match up with any team in the league. There is one major concern within the Steelers camp, and that is if QB Big Ben can mature, focus on football, and keep IT in his pants. Coach xdog30 didn’t hesistate sending Big Ben packing last year, I wonder if he’ll do the same this year.
Coach jstraus7205 returns to his hometown to lead the Browns back to glory. Unfortunately, the lack of offensive talent on the roster will hinder his chances for a playoff birth in 2011. WR Josh Cribbs and HB Jerome Harrison are the only explosive playmakers on offense and does not scare off any defense. The Browns will be QB’d by Panthers cast out Jake “I wanna go” Delhomme and should keep the seat warm until Colt McCoy is ready to take the helm. Many scouts have their doubts about QB McCoy but it’s clear that the Browns need to find a franchise QB in order to move forward as a franchise. The defense is workable, having three legitimate corners on the roster, including rookie CB Haden, but safety will be a concern. The LB unit is solid, if unspectacular, and the defensive line should be able to hold the point of attack. The Browns should be able to be competitive against middle and lower tier teams, but would have trouble versus the elite.
And that brings us to the Cincinatti Bengals – no longer the Bungles based on talent. The recent signing of diva WR Owens, should bring some additional excitement in Cincy, but it makes me wonder whether Owens and Ocho Cinco would be able to co-exists on and off the field with their MASSIVE egos. Coach FatboybobPSN will have his work cut out for him, having to juggle such personalities, something he didn’t have to worry about in his previous stint in Atlanta. The Bengals are a talented team on offense and defense, but their mental makeup is concerning at this point. Coach Fatboybob should be able to squeeze some wins for the year, but the team will be expected to struggle similar to how Atlanta faired in 2010.
The Steelers and Ravens are head and shoulders above the division and should make for a good division rivalry. The Ravens are more talented than the Steelers this year on offense and defense and an easier division should catapult Lock_Down_ to at least a 10 to 12 win season and a division title.
Win/Loss Predictions:
Ravens: 11-5 (division winner)
Steelers: 10-6 (wildcard)
Browns: 6-10
Bengals: 4-12
Next: NFC South (August 7th)