Key Player:
Joe Flacco. If the $120m man can click with new receiving options Owen Daniels and Steve Smith, Sr., the Ravens have the potential to be a potent threat throughout the NFL this year. This also relies on Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce getting back to their form of 2012, but word coming out of Maryland is that the two of them have lost weight and regained the speed and mobility that made them a fearsome 1-2 punch in the Superbowl winning season.
Best Free Agent Signing:
Whilst the signings of Smith, Daniels, and C Jeremy Zuttah were impressive, Ozzie Newsome worked his front office magic again this offseason by retaining studs like TE Dennis Pitta and LT Eugene Monroe. Monroe has established himself as a top 10 left tackle in the NFL, while Pitta, coming off the back of a dislocated hip injury in July 2013, has the chance to develop from Joe Flacco's favourite target, into one of the best tight ends in football.
Season Prediction:
Obviously it's very hard to predict anything in the NFL, especially before the Draft on May 3rd, but considering the rebuilding job the Ravens have done, I can see them winning a minimum of 9 games, serious injuries permitting, and probably returning to the playoffs.
Final Prediciton: 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals
Key Player:
AJ Green. Having established himself as one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL in his first 3 seasons, Green has a huge role to play in a Bengals offense searching for their second consecutive AFC North title. Andy Dalton is a decent quarterback, but certainly isn't one of the best, and he often relies on Green to go and get catches, rather than just delivering them to him, so it will be interesting to see how defenses line up to combat Green. I envisage Green coming up with well over 1,200 receiving yards and at least 8 TDs to help the Bengals push for another division title.
Best Free Agent Signing:
Having been relatively quiet in free agency, with few holes that need filling, the Benglas re-signing of Taylor Mays is probably the one that fits the title of this bit best. Mays, a second round pick for the 49ers in 2010, has become a starter on a Bengals defense that regularly makes life hard for the opposition. His range and speed across the field make him a good weapon to have at the free safety position, and one who will be a key part of this Bengals team for this season and those to come.
Season Prediction:
If they can tighten up in areas of need through the draft, then despite a tough schedule, the Bengals should be capable of at least 10 wins, and maybe even an elusive playoff victory.
Final Prediction: 10-6
Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Player:
Ben Roethlisberger. As ever, everything good that goes through the Steel City, goes through Big Ben. With his ability to extend plays with his feet, receivers have time to get open. Couple this with his ability to come
up big in the important games and play through injury and you've got yourself a borderline elite quarterback.
up big in the important games and play through injury and you've got yourself a borderline elite quarterback.
Best Free Agent Signing:
LeGarrette Blount. Bringing Blount in from New England not only takes away a dangerous runner from the Patriots, but adds a bruising between-the-tackles man to a Steelers run attack that already boasts Le'Veon Bell. These two will wear teams down throughout the season, and will most likely be splitting carries 70/30 in Bell's favour. Blount is a good back who is capable of barrelling through tackles and breaking off big runs, a very good signing.
Season Prediction:
The major problem for the Steelers in recent years has been their ageing defense. If they look to get younger through the draft, as well as filling some gaps along the offensive line, they could well end up challenging for the AFC North title once again. Early trips to Baltimore and Carolina will shape their season, and it will be make or break in weeks 14-17 as they play Cincinnati twice, as well as Kansas City.
Final Prediction: 9-7
Cleveland Browns
Key Player:
Josh Gordon. Poor Josh Gordon. He has the potential to be a really, really good receiver for the Browns, but last season he had Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell throwing to him a lot of the time. If the Browns draft wisely and take a QB with either of their first rounders, we could see Gordon really explode, especially
if they also go and get someone to support him on the other side of the field. This kid could go far, if given the opportunity.
Best Free Agent Signing:
Whilst it was imperative that Alex Mack stayed to anchor the Cleveland O-Line, the addition of Ben Tate to the backfield gives the Browns a fighting chance in a number of close games this season. By having a man like Tate, Cleveland will be able to grind teams down in the trenches and open up the game for their new QB and their receivers to make big plays on the outside.
Season Prediction;
The Browns are still in a rebuilding stage as they overhauled their coaching and backroom staff at the end of last season, as well as having traded away Trent Richardson, who never amounted to what he should have done. If the Browns can become stabilised and find a coaching setup that fits, they could become competitive within a few years. This year, though, they're going to struggle.
Final Prediction: 5-11
Season Prediction:
The major problem for the Steelers in recent years has been their ageing defense. If they look to get younger through the draft, as well as filling some gaps along the offensive line, they could well end up challenging for the AFC North title once again. Early trips to Baltimore and Carolina will shape their season, and it will be make or break in weeks 14-17 as they play Cincinnati twice, as well as Kansas City.
Final Prediction: 9-7
Cleveland Browns
Key Player:
Josh Gordon. Poor Josh Gordon. He has the potential to be a really, really good receiver for the Browns, but last season he had Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell throwing to him a lot of the time. If the Browns draft wisely and take a QB with either of their first rounders, we could see Gordon really explode, especially if they also go and get someone to support him on the other side of the field. This kid could go far, if given the opportunity.
Best Free Agent Signing:
Whilst it was imperative that Alex Mack stayed to anchor the Cleveland O-Line, the addition of Ben Tate to the backfield gives the Browns a fighting chance in a number of close games this season. By having a man like Tate, Cleveland will be able to grind teams down in the trenches and open up the game for their new QB and their receivers to make big plays on the outside.
Season Prediction;
The Browns are still in a rebuilding stage as they overhauled their coaching and backroom staff at the end of last season, as well as having traded away Trent Richardson, who never amounted to what he should have done. If the Browns can become stabilised and find a coaching setup that fits, they could become competitive within a few years. This year, though, they're going to struggle.
Final Prediction: 5-11
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