The Phoenix Report: AFC North

This division well be largely unchanged.  Either the Ravens or the Steelers will win this division.  I will be fair and break it down anyway.  The Browns could be a dark horse. The Bengals, well they are the Bengals. Even worse without C Palmer. Outside of C Benson, who can you name on the Bengals roster?  That's what I thought, no one.  A team that seems bent on being on an indefinate rebuilding stage.  I have no words except 2 wins for each of the other teams in the division.

The Browns have actually been trying to get better.  Injuries and off-field problems have been an issue but this team seems to have worked those out and are moving forward.  With a solid running game and better then average blocking up front, P Hillis can be the first player to avoid the Madden Curse.  Then again, they said the same thing about T Palomalo too.  C McCoy can silence his "haters" by coming out and performing, at least, up to pontential.  He has the ability to be a "D Brees" type of QB but that will depend on not only is O-line but his willingness to work hard to develop into it.  This team will go as far as McCoy helps Hillis take it.

The Ravens are still that team that are known by their defense.  J Flacco had his best statistical year last year, his 3rd.  As a young QB, you are incouraged by his TDs going up and INTs going down.  He also had a 96.6% rating last year, up from 88.9% in 2009.  For this team, that is progress.  For a team who's defense isn't what it used to be, Flacco have a solid pro-bowl season can take pressure off of the D.  I know, a lot of ifs in there but isn't everything before the games are played?  Flacco has the chance to turn himself and his receivers into big names.  At 6'6", 240, he is another QB out of excuses.  Its put up or shut up time.

The Steelers could surprise even themselves this year.  With injuries seemingly behind them, the emergence of M Wallace and addition of J Cotchery, defenses can double team H Ward.  B Rothlisberger will get to see his receivers in more one on one situations and have Mendenhall in the backfield.  Need I say more?  The Steelers are looking like a stacked team and as long as the defense stays the dominate D they have been, the Steelers can win 14 games.  Yeah, I said it!!  They can win, I'm not saying they will.  Either way, I can't wait to see them play the Pats week 8.

The Steelers win this division!!

D!