Today, we will be continuing our State of the Division series, this time checking in on the AFC North.
Cincinnati Bengals
2018 Record: 6-10(Missed Playoffs)
Biggest Additions: John Miller, Jonah Williams
Biggest Losses: Tyler Kroft, Vontaze Burfict, Adam Jones
State of the team: The Bengals are in a bad spot. After yet another disappointing season filled with mediocrity, Cincinnati has a pretty dull future for now. New coach Zac Taylor is an aspiring young ming, but has no prior head coaching experience. Andy Dalton, the longtime starting QB, is possibly the most average quarterback in the entire league. Cincy does have a promising running back in Joe Mixon, and made some good additions to their offensive line, but failed to address their biggest weakness: defense. They lost 2 of their 3 best defensive players, and selected only one defender in the first four rounds of the draft. The Bengals will probably continue to be mediocre, and it might be time to hit the rebuild button if this season doesn't lead to success.
Most Important People: Right now, Zac Taylor is the key figure in the Bengals franchise. He will be given the task of stabling this team after three straight losing seasons. Andy Dalton also has a lot on the line for him this year. He will have to try and bounce back, but given the firepower of the Bengals' offense, Dalton could be in for a career year, especially with a revamped offensive line.
Projected team MVP: AJ Green. He remains one of the best receivers in the game, and will continue to play well. Green is also in a contract year, and has something to prove, although he certainly deserves a big contract.
Expectations/Goals: The Bengals have no urgency to compete, but might be a few defensive additions from doing so. Playing in a stacked AFC North, Cincinnati is a long shot for the playoffs, but reaching 8 wins would be reasonable goal for them.
Pittsburgh Steelers
2018 record: 9-6-1(just missed playoffs)
Biggest Additions: Steven Nelson, Donte Moncrief
Biggest Losses: Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell
State of the team: The Steelers are in the transition period between two eras, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being the bridge. They lost all-pros Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell in messy split ups, and had a drama filled season last year. This season, they should try to get back to the playoffs after infamously dropping four of their last six games last year to get eliminated. The Steelers certainly are capable to be in playoff contention, and maybe more, but they need to remain low-key and out of the headlines for that to happen.
Most Important People: Possibly the future of the Steelers, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner are in for big roles this season. Both played admirably last season, and had breakout years. For Pittsburgh to win, they need to take their game to the next level, as Conner and JuJu are the focal points of the offense. Head coach Mike Tomlin also has a lot at stake this season, and after some firing rumors last year, will need to be successful to put those rumors to dust.
Projected team MVP: JuJu. The USC product will continue the line of standout Pittsburgh receivers, and has a good chance of making his first all-pro team this year.
Expectations/Goals: The Steelers need to get back to the playoffs. If things work out right, this squad has Super Bowl potential, but that might be a bit of a stretch. Not playing in January, however, is very doable and Pittsburgh will be considered a disappointment if they don't make it that far.
Baltimore Ravens
2018 Record: 10-6(Lost in Wild Card round)
Biggest Additions: Marquise Brown, Earl Thomas, Mark Ingram
Biggest Losses: CJ Mosley, John Brown, Terrell Suggs, Za'Darius Smith
State of the team: The Ravens are in a position to contend. After rookie QB Lamar Jackson replaced Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback last season and led them to a 6-1 record, the Ravens made the playoffs. Despite losing to the Chargers in the Wild Card round, Baltimore put up a great fight, and are still a playoff-caliber team. While it does hurt that they lost defensive anchor CJ Mosley to the Jets, they got one of the best safeties in the game in Earl Thomas, and drafted an excellent receiver in Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Their running game, led by Jackson, signee Mark Ingram, and breakout Gus Edwards is one of the bets in the league too.
Most Important People: Like most other teams, the Ravens head coach, Jim Harbaugh will be essential to his team's success. Baltimore has stuck with Harbaugh despite some ups and downs as a franchise, and the move looks to be paying off. If he can coach this team back to the playoffs, the 3 year extension he signed will definitely be worth it. Lamar Jackson is also key to this franchise. He saved the team late last season to make the playoffs, and will have to perform well if they want to make it back there.
Projected Team MVP: Jackson, see above.
Expectations/Goals: For this season to not be deemed a failure, Baltimore must make it back to the playoffs. That should not be hard, as they are probably the best team in this division. If the season should be deemed a success, then the Ravens must win at least one playoff game, and make it to the divisional round for the first time since their epic 2014 thriller with the Patriots. A Super Bowl might be out of reach, but winning one to two playoff games is not a stretch.
Cleveland Browns
2018 Record: 7-8-1(Missed Playoffs)
Biggest Additions: Odell Beckham Jr, Olivier Vernon, Kareem Hunt
Biggest Losses: Jabrill Peppers
State of the team: For the first time in seemingly eons, the Browns not only have lots of talent, but have a lot of expectations. They might have pulled off the biggest trade steal ever, nabbing Odell Beckham Jr from the Giants for Jabrill Peppers and two picks. They now have a stacked offense, and when Kareem Hunt returns from his 8 game suspension, it will only get better. Defensively, they have some great talent like Christian Kirksey and Myles Garrett, and are a well rounded team in general. Cleveland has a good chance of making the playoffs this season if all of their talent meshes together well.
Most Important People: Freddie Kitchens, who was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach this offseason, will have to incorporate Odell and Hunt into the Browns system. That should not be hard, as they both are extremely good players capable of playing anywhere. Baker Mayfield, the teams' quarterback, will also be key to the team. After setting the record for most touchdowns thrown in a rookie season, Baker will have to build off of that. He has tons of potential, and could be a pro bowler this year.
Projected team MVP: Mayfield. If the Browns are really good this year, he will be the reason.
Goals/Expectations: A reasonable expectation for the Browns would be to work out any chemistry issues at the beginning of the year, and then stabilize over the course of the season, and then compete next season. However, in the world we live in, the Browns have enormous expectations that involve things as big as the Super Bowl. Making the playoffs would be an excellent start for these Browns, although others might want much more.
Comentarios