4. Cleveland Browns
2012 Record = 5-11, fourth in AFC North
2013 Schedule = Dolphins, @ Ravens, @ Vikings,
Bengals, Bills, Lions, @ Packers, @ Chiefs, Ravens, BYE, @ Bengals, Steelers,
Jaguars, @ Patriots, Bears, @ Jets, @ Steelers
Franchise Players = RB Trent Richardson, LT Joe
Thomas, C Alex Mack, CB Joe Haden
Supporting Cast = WR Josh Gordon, LG Jason Pinkston,
DE Ahtyba Rubin, DT Phil Taylor, MLB D’Qwell Jackson, OLB Paul Kruger, SS T.J.
Ward Notable Rookies = OLB Barkevious Mingo (LSU, 1-6), CB Leon McFadden (San Diego St., 3-68)
Offensive Outlook = It feels like a waste of time talking about an offense who’s second year quarterback is 29-years old, but in the interest of maintaining continuity, we’ll do it anyway. Trent Richardson is the centerpiece of the offense, and with Norv Turner taking over as offensive coordinator, Richardson will be sure to see a massive workload. Injuries have already hit the offensive line, so that is a concern for Richardson’s overall production. Cleveland has an interesting (that’s a better adjective than inexperienced) group of receivers that bring different skill sets to the table. Josh Gordon established himself as a quality deep threat, and is the clear #1 receiver. Greg Little has shown flashes as a third down target, but doesn’t utilize his size enough in the red zone. Davone Bess was acquired in a trade with Miami and figures to be heavily targeted on third down. Travis Benjamin is another speedy receiver who can work out of the slot, and tight end Jordan Cameron is a deep fantasy sleeper. An average quarterback could utilize all of these weapons, but unfortunately Brandon Weeden is still on top of the depth chart. Weeden. Weeden has a big arm, but isn’t effective enough when he’s forced to his second or third read.
Defensive Outlook = Cleveland’s run defense was solid, but it’s secondary play was abysmal. Part of their issues have to do with Joe Haden missing five games last season (four of them because of a suspension). Haden has the skills to be a top-5 corner in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, but needs to make more plays. Paul Kruger (the leader in sacks for the Super Bowl champions last year) and rookie Barkevious Mingo have been brought in to bolster a pass rush that was virtually non-existent last year. Upping the quarterback pressure will go along way in improving the pass defense.
Ceiling = 7-9
Floor = 2-14Prediction = 4-12
Cleveland has assembled some nice young pieces, but until it has a solid quarterback prospect in the fold, there’s littler reason for optimism.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
2012 Record = 8-8, third in AFC North
2013 Schedule = Titans, @ Bengals, Bears, @ Vikings,
BYE, @ Jets, Ravens, @ Raiders, @ Patriots, Bills, Lions, @ Browns, @ Ravens,
Dolphins, Bengals, @ Packers, Browns
Franchise Players = QB Ben Roethlisberger, C Maurkice
Pouncey, SS Troy Polamalu
Supporting Cast = WR Antonio Brown, TE Heath Miller
(on PUP list through Week 6), DE Brett Keisel, MLB Lawrence Timmons, MLB Larry
Foote, OLD LaMarr Woodley, OLB Jason Worilds, CB Ike Taylor, FS Ryan Clark Notable Rookies = OLB Jarvis Jones (Georgia, 1-17), RB Le’Veon Bell (Michigan St., 2-48), WR Markus Wheaton (Oregon St., 3-79), QB Landry Jones (Oklahoma, 4-115)
Offensive Outlook = On paper, Pittsburgh suffered the
biggest free agent defection of the off-season with the loss of Mike Wallace.
He was a field stretching threat that demanded attention on every snap.
However, the Steelers do have some players with the potential to at least
partially fill the void. Antonio Brown dealt with nagging injuries throughout
the 2012 season, but a return to health could lead to Reggie Wayne like
production for him. Emmanuel Sanders is slated to get the first crack to fill
the deep threat role, but he hasn’t demonstrated in the past that he’s capable
of doing it. Pittsburgh might eventually turn to third round pick Markus
Wheaton, who on paper looks like a Mike Wallace clone. Pittsburgh’s running
game was a mess that season, but it was hard to pinpoint if that had to with
the runningbacks, the offensive line, or both groups. Second rounder Le’Veon
Bell had a leg up to get the starting tailback gig, and he would’ve represented
a massive upgrade over Jonathan Dwyer. Unfortunately, he’s now out for six to eight weeks. David
DeCastro, last year’s first round pick, looks to rebound from a 2012 that was
cut way to short by injury. He has the potential to form one of the best
interior line duos with center Maurkice Pouncey. All of these adjustments will
ultimately impact the effectiveness of Ben Roethlisberger. It’s unclear how
much more of a beating Big Ben can take, so improved offensive line play is
paramount to Pittsburgh’s chances of making the playoffs.
Defensive Outlook = Pittsburgh led the
league in total defense last year, only allowing 275.8 yards per game.
Unfortunately, the Steelers were unable to force turnovers. For the defense to
return to the level of its last Super Bowl year in 2008-09, they will need to
create game changing plays. The linebacking core is still the strength of the
team, with arguably as much depth as any other team. LaMarr Woodley, Jason
Worilds, and Jarvis Jones are three dynamic outside linebackers that can create
havoc for opposing quarterbacks. If Cortez Allen continues to make strides,
Pittsburgh will have the best cornerback duo in the division. They already have
the best safety duo, even with Troy Polamalu losing a step. The biggest
question mark for the Steelers defense is nose tackle. Casey Hampton has manned
that position for years, but this year he will be replaced by Steve McClendon.
McClendon doesn’t have the size that is normally required for a 3-4 end, so
hopefully for Pittsburgh fans he’s the second coming of Jay Ratliff.
Ceiling = 12-4
Floor = 5-11Prediction = 7-9
Pittsburgh is in a state of transition, so it’s reasonable to expect growing pains. Look for another mediocre season before a return to Super Bowl contention in 2014.
2. Baltimore Ravens
2012 Record = 10-6, first in AFC North
2013 Schedule = @ Broncos, Browns, Texans, @ Bills, @
Dolphins, Packers, @ Steelers, BYE, @ Browns, Bengals, @ Bears, Jets, Steelers,
Vikings, @ Lions, Patriots, @ Bengals
Franchise Players = QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, RG
Marshal Yanda, DE Haloti Ngata, OLB Terrell Suggs
Supporting Cast = WR Torrey Smith, WR/KR Jacoby
Jones, TE Dennis Pitta (Out for the season with a hip injury), RT Michael Oher,
OLB Elvis Dumervil, CB Lardarius Webb, K Justin TuckerNotable Rookies = SS Matt Elam (Florida, 1-32), OLB Arthur Brown (Kansas St., 2-56)
Offensive Outlook = It’s hard to remember a defending
Super Bowl champion that lost so many key players, but at least offensively the
most important ones return. Joe Flacco played like a Greek God of quarterbacking
last postseason, but it’s hard to forecast that effort continuing into the
regular season. He’s solid, but the offense is at its best when it’s centered
on Ray Rice. Rice is still a dynamic player (view his epic fourth and 28
conversion last year against San Diego as proof) that can carry an offense.
Bernard Pierce made great impressions in a reserve role, and could be in line
for increased carries. With the losses of Anquan Boldin and Dennis Pitta,
Torrey Smith will have to shoulder a heavier workload. He’s an elite route
runner, which gives him a chance to transition from deep threat to primary
receiver. Who ends up getting receptions other than Ray Rice or Smith is
anyone’s guess.
Defensive Outlook = When’s the last time a defense
lost two first ballot Hall of Famers in the same off-season? Sure Ray Lewis
would
Ceiling = 13-3
Floor = 6-10Prediction = 9-7
It would be easy to predict a significant drop-off because of the players who won’t be returning, and just as easy to predict another Super Bowl contending run because they are the Ravens and that’s what they do. We’ll predict that they’ll scuffle a bit early before rounding into form by December.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2012 Record = 10-6, second in AFC North
2013 Schedule = @ Bears, Steelers, Packers, @ Browns, Patriots, @ Bills, @ Lions, Jets, @ Dolphins, @ Ravens, Browns, BYE, @ Chargers, Colts, @ Steelers, Vikings, Ravens
Franchise Players = WR A.J. Green, LT Andrew
Whitworth, DT Geno Atkins
Supporting Cast = QB Andy Dalton, RB Ben-Jarvus
Green-Ellis, TE Jermaine Gresham, RG Kevin Zeitler, DT Domata Peko, DE Michael
Johnson, MLB Rey Maualuga, OLB James Harrison, OLB Vontaze Burfict, CB Leon
Hall, FS Reggie Nelson, P Kevin HuberNotable Rookies = TE Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame, 1-21), RB Giovani Bernard (North Carolina, 2-37), DE Margus Hunt (Southern Methodist, 2-53)
Offensive Outlook = We’re pretty sure the Cincinnati
Bengals are the first team since the merger to make the playoffs two straight
seasons with a redheaded quarterback. Unfortunately, each playoff appearance
ended with a beating in Houston. Andy Dalton has chemistry with A.J. Green (it
would be hard for any NFL caliber quarterback to not be successful throwing the
ball to him), but he hasn’t been effective enough when he’s forced to his
second or third read. Green is a top-5 wide receiver who demands double
coverage on every play. The Bengals attempted to ease the pressure on Green by
adding Tyler Eifert in the first round. Along with Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati
will now have the best tight end duo in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. “The
Firm” is still penciled in as the starting runningback, but it will be hard for
Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis to not cede carries to talented rookie Giovani Bernard.
If Bernard gets enough touches, he’s a solid bet for NFL Offensive Rookie of
the Year. Much like the rest of the offense (with the exception of Green), the
offensive line is average.
Defensive Outlook = There weren’t many defenses
stronger down the stretch last season than the one employed by Cincinnati.
Including their playoff loss to Houston, Cincinnati didn’t allow more than 20
points over their final nine games. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins was at the
center of it, generating 12.5 sacks and providing stout run defense. Domata
Peko and Michael Johnson were fantastic complimentary pieces to Atkins along
the defensive line. Cincinnati struck gold last season with undrafted free
agent Vontaze Burfict, who shockingly led the Bengals in tackles a season ago.
The secondary will get a boost from having a fully healthy Leon Hall at corner
from the start of Week 1. He was recovering from an ACL tear and wasn’t playing
up to his usual standards until the final month of the season.
Ceiling = 14-2
Floor = 8-8Prediction = 11-5
We’re counting on a breakout from Bernard, and a consistent season of top-5 defense. The Bengals mediocre quarterback won’t bite them in the ass until the playoffs.
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