4. Pittsburgh Steelers
2013 Record = 8-8, Second in AFC North, Missed
Playoffs
2014 Schedule = Browns, @ Ravens, @ Panthers,
Buccaneers, @ Jaguars, @ Browns, Texans, Colts, Ravens, @ Jets, @ Titans, BYE,
Saints, @ Bengals, @ Falcons, Chiefs, Bengals
Blue Chippers = None
High Quality Players = QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR
Antonio Brown, SS Troy Polamalu
Solid Contributors = WR Lance Moore, LG Ramon Foster,
C Maurkice Pouncey, RG David DeCastro, DE Cameron Heyward, MLB Lawrence
Timmons, OLB Jason Worilds
Impact Rookies = MLB Ryan Shazier (1-15, Ohio State),
DE Stephon Tuitt (2-46, Notre Dame)
Good News = Pittsburgh has solidified the middle of
it’s offensive line.
Bad News = Ike Taylor is beyond washed up.
Outlook = The Steelers are desperately in need of a
full roster reboot, but the franchise is still committed to veterans who
delivered two Super Bowl titles. With all that has been accomplished by Ben
Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu, you can’t completely fault them. Big Ben was
still hit a lot in 2013 (mostly due to miserable play from his offensive
tackles), but at least there was some semblance of pass protection for him. A
greater commitment to the running game would go a long way in helping, as
better balance would keep Roethlisberger upright. Le’Veon Bell will be given
the first crack at full-time duty, but free agent acquisition LeGarrette Blount
was brought in to push him. Antonio Brown had a massive breakout campaign, and
is set up once again for another elite fantasy season. Lance Moore was brought
in to fill the chain moving void left by Emmanuel Sanders, and Markus Wheaton
will be given every opportunity in his sophomore season to make an impact. A
full season from Heath Miller would go a long way in solidifying the Steelers
passing game.
Defensively
is where Pittsburgh’s real problems are, as there defense is filled with either
players past their primes or youngsters that haven’t reached their potential
yet. Troy Polamalu caused a lot of havoc last year with 5 forced fumbles, but
his ball-playing skills are virtually non-existent. Pittsburgh treats Ike
Taylor like he’s still as shut-down corner, which is either an extreme case of
denial or desperation. Jason Worilds and Cameron Heyward both need to raise
their games to return the Steelers defense to elite status.
Prediction = This is the year the Steelers wheels
really fall off. Look for a full rebuild to begin in 2015.
4-12
3. Cleveland Browns
2013 Record = 4-12, Last in AFC North, Missed
Playoffs
2014 Schedule = @ Steelers, Saints, Ravens, BYE, @
Titans, Steelers, @ Jaguars, Raiders, Buccaneers, @ Bengals, Texans, @ Falcons,
@ Bills, Colts, Bengals, @ Panthers, @ Ravens
Blue Chippers = WR Josh Gordon (sigh), LT Joe Thomas
High Quality Players = C Alex Mack, MLB Karlos
Dansby, CB Joe Haden, SS Donte Whitner
Solid Contributors = TE Jordan Cameron, OLB Jabaal
Sheard
Impact Rookies = CB Justin Gilbert (1-8, Oklahoma
State), QB Johnny Fucking Football (1-22, Texas A&M), RG Joel Bitonio
(2-35, Nevada)
Good News = No other team crushed the draft this year
like the Cleveland Browns.
Bad News = Josh Gordon really likes marijuana.
Outlook = Since returning to the NFL in 1999, there
hasn’t been a more consistently dysfunctional franchise than the Cleveland
Browns (remember the Raiders actually won the AFC in 2002). 2014 is yet another
season where the team features a new general manager (no love for Mike
Lombardi, even after the Trent Richardson heist), a new Head Coach, and a new
Week 1 quarterback. We’d be much higher (pun intended!) on Cleveland’s chances
at sleeper status if it wasn’t for Josh Gordon. Gordon tested positive for
marijuana, and since he’s a repeat offender, he could miss the entire season
(it’s too bad he didn’t just beat the shit out of his fiancée like Ray Rice
did, that would’ve only cost him two games. Good work Roger Goodell). Gordon
was the MVP of all three of my fantasy teams last year, so No Credentials will
dearly miss him. Without Gordon, Cleveland’s wide receivers are a collection of
misfit toys. Earl Bennett is a decent fourth receiver, and I think Miles Austin
and Nate Burleson already tore their hamstrings. Jordan Cameron will be the
most reliable receiver from the tight end position, and it’s not unrealistic
for him to be the second most valuable tight end in fantasy behind Jimmy
Graham, regardless of which quarterback plays. Brian Hoyer was just named the
starter today, but whether due to injury or poor performance, we expect to see
Johnny Manziel by Week 10.
Cleveland
was actually a top-10 defensive unit last year, and with the addition of Justin
Gilbert and Donte Whitner to the secondary, should continue to be the strength
of the team. The secondary has a chance to be among the five best in THE
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. The Browns only face one top-10 offense from 2013
this season, so there is a chance they can steal some low scoring ball games.
Prediction = Barring a miracle Josh Gordon ruling
that gets him on the field in October, Cleveland’s offense is going to be a
problem, but at least a favorable schedule gives them a chance to sniff .500. 6-10
2. Baltimore Ravens
2013 Record = 8-8, Third in AFC North, Missed
Playoffs
2014 Schedule = Bengals, Steelers, @ Browns,
Panthers, @ Colts, @ Buccaneers, Falcons, @ Bengals, @ Steelers, Titans, BYE, @
Saints, Chargers, @ Dolphins, Jaguars, @ Texans, Browns
Blue Chippers = None
High Quality Players = RG Marshal Yanda, OLB Elvis
Dumervil, CB Lardarius Webb
Solid Contributors = WR Torrey Smith, WR Steve Smith,
TE Dennis Pitta, LT Eugene Monroe, DE Terrell Suggs, DT Haloti Ngata
Impact Rookies = MLB C.J. Mosley (1-17, Alabama), DT
Timmy Jernigan (2-48, Florida State), FS Terrance Brooks (3-79, Florida State)
Good News = The offensive line can’t play any worse
than they did last year.
Bad News = How much more money do they owe Joe Flacco
again?
Outlook = It’s hard to believe that a year ago at
this team the Ravens were the defending Super Bowl champions after their
mediocre 2013 campaign. The offense was abysmal, finishing the year as the
fourth worst unit in football. Most of those troubles can be attributed to
dreadful offensive line play. Joe Flacco was under constant duress, and
whomever he handed the ball off too had a hard time just getting 3 yards per
carry. The hiring of Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator should go along way
in addressing those issues, as his zone-blocking scheme was effective in both
Denver and Houston for many years. Eugene Monroe also gets a full off-season in
the Ravens system after being acquired midseason last year from Jacksonville.
Ray Rice will miss the first two games due to suspension, so Bernard Pierce
will have a chance to seize a sizable workload. Pierce could be a better fit
for Kubiak’s blocking schemes. Torrey Smith averaged over 17 yards per catch
last year, and with better pass protection could see an up tick in usage. Steve
Smith was brought in for the other starting spot, and Baltimore is looking for
the same value out of him that they got from Anquan Boldin during their Super
Bowl run. Dennis Pitta is Joe Flacco’s security blanket, and a full season from
him would do wonders on third down.
Even with
younger players replacing veterans from the Super Bowl team and a sputtering
offense, the defense nearly cracked the top-10 in total yards allowed. For the
Ravens to return to the level of play from their hey-day, they will need to
generate more negative plays. C.J. Mosley looks like the next in a long line of
great Baltimore linebackers. Jimmy Smith was a first round pick in 2011, and
this might be his last chance to play to his potential before Baltimore looks
for another option at cornerback. Terrance Brooks was a steal in the third
round, and projects to be an immediate starter.
Prediction = The offense will improve enough to keep
the defense off the field more, and return the Ravens to playoff contention.
9-7
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2013 Record = 11-5, AFC North Champions, Lost AFC
Wildcard Game
2014 Schedule = @ Ravens, Falcons, Titans, BYE, @
Patriots, Panthers, @ Colts, Ravens, Jaguars, Browns, @ Saints, @ Texans, @
Buccaneers, Steelers, @ Browns, Broncos, @ Steelers
Blue Chippers = LT Andrew Whitworth, DT Geno Atkins
High Quality Players = WR A.J. Green, OLB Vontaze
Burfict
Solid Contributors = HB Giovanni Bernard, WR Marvin
Jones, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Andre Smith, DE Carlos Dunlap, CB Leon Hall, CB
Adam Jones, FS Reggie Nelson
Impact Rookies = CB Darqueze Dennard (1-24, Michigan
State)
Good News = Giovanni Bernard will be the feature
back.
Bad News = Andy Dalton is still slated to be their
quarterback if they have to play playoff games.
Outlook = Cincinnati has assembled arguably the
deepest all around roster in the NFL, with talent at all the skill positions, a
solid offensive line, and a top-5
defense. Expanded workloads for Giovanni Bernard and Marvin Jones will take
some defensive attention away from A.J. Green, and should propel the Bengals to
even greater heights. The only question is the red head under center. Andy
Dalton has been solid during his first three seasons during the regular season.
He’s won 30 games in his pro career, and last year tossed a career high 33
touchdowns. Unfortunately, he’s been so atrocious in his three career playoff
games, even Tony Romo said, “Man this guy sucks in January” (EDITORS NOTE: Romo
didn’t actually say that, but he should’ve). This year boils down to whether or
not Dalton delivers the goods in the playoffs. The roster is vastly superior to
the rest of the AFC North, so a division title is virtually assured. Dalton
only needs to win one elimination game to quiet critics of the mammoth
extension he inked this season.
Prediction = We’re guessing the Bengals win 11 games
again before Dalton shits his pants again in the playoffs. Is it too early to
wager on this? 11-5
Click here to read about the NFC East
Click here to read about the AFC South
Click here to read about the NFC South
Click here to read about the NFC North
Click here to read about the AFC West
