NFL Preview #4 - AFC East and AFC North

I finish the previews with the division housing the current Super Bowl winner, and the division that almost won it two years ago.  Will Pittsburgh compete for a consecutive Super Bowl?  Will the Patriots take back the division title from the Dolphins?  Let's see...

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (11-5; playoffs) - Tom Brady is back, which is good news to the team, but not necessarily good news to anyone else.  It might even be a concern for the team, because whoever wins the backup position has had little to no experience in a regular season NFL game.  Of course, they had that same concern with Matt Cassell, and he did well.  Likely backup Kevin O'Connell had completed a total of 4 out of 8 passes in NFL games.  O'Connell came from San Diego State, whose offensive style was not the same as either New England or USC, Cassell's alma mater.  At least they still have a good slate of talented receivers, and plenty of runners to spell a fill-in quarterback.

All of this talk is moot, of course, if Brady goes the distance.  He says he's 100%, but that's what they all.  He has seemed fine in action so far, but it's a long season.  Actually, injuries might be a greater concern on the defensive side of things, where experience is thin along the bench.  If the Pats stay healthy, they'll be a terror.

Buffalo Bills (8-8) - Terrell Owens' presence allows them to run more three wide sets, but let's not give too many options to Trent Edwards. He sometimes takes a bit too long to release the ball, and that can cause problems in this league. He doesn't exactly have the strongest line to hold back tough defenses, either. Owens may like being "top dog" here, where the quarterback won't overshadow him, but this is also the team he's played for where the quarterback doesn't DESERVE top billing. Let's see how he handles THAT.

Defensively the Bills have some punch, but their secondary still has holes. With pass-happy opponents like New England, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Tennessee on their schedule, that's a definite weakness.

Miami Dolphins (7-9) - This team is becoming a Big Ten alumni club, as ex-Buckeye Brian Hartline joins former teammate Ted Ginn, Jr, and first round pick Vontae Davis joins the defensive secondary.  These in addition to the other Big Ten alumni on this team.  This is young team, but they remain a team eager to prove themselves.  Yes, they won the division last year, but with Tom Brady out with injury, there's always that seemingly present asterisk.  They want an outright victory this year.  They have a tough schedule, though, so that'll be a challenge.  They open with three tough opponents before having to host TO and the Bills.  This secondary is good, but can these youngsters outsmart and outpace TO?  Outsmart, possibly, but outpace?

Tampa Bay and Houston are about the only two "cushy" teams on their schedule.  It'll be a tough year for these youngsters.  If they even make the playoffs, they will have proven themselves.

New York Jets (6-10) - Mark Sanchez is currently slated to start the season, giving some poor performances by Kellen Clemens.  I'm not sure that's the smartest thing.  Okay, Matt Cassell proved that playing in USC is almost the same as playing with an NFL team, so he has some idea of what he's up against, but Sanchez doesn't have the same receiving tools he had in Los Angeles.  The Jets are set up to be runners this season, especially with the defense new coach Rex Ryan has installed.  It'll be slow going for the Jets, and Sanchez is used to posting points at will.  Will he have the patience for the "three yards and a cloud of dust" mentality that MUST run this team if they are to be successful?

AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3; 1st round playoff bye) - Ben's back, but how's his health?  That's one concern coming into this season.  The other is the replacement of some key defections.  The once-overstocked corps of wide receivers has dwindled, leaving only three with more than two years of experience.  They get some help from great tight ends, but it's not what it used to be.  The running back corps looks good, and with their line, they can still bruise teams up the middle.

Interestingly, the defense doesn't seem to have the punch it once did.  Traditionally a strong point in Pittsburgh, this defense doesn't yet seem to have the tenacity of teams of yore.  I think Mike Tomlin will get them in line by the start of the season, but it's a strange situation in Pittsburgh, one they're not used to handling.

2. Baltimore Ravens (11-5; playoffs) - Joe Flacco is back to improve on his excellent start last season.  With the addition of exceptional Ray Rice in the back field, the offense is forcing teams to sit up and take notice.  Coming from a team that won their only Super Bowl on defense, that is quite the accomplishment. 

Mind you, we can't take anything away from this defense.  This is still a powerful team.  Age is starting to show in places, but they have a decent bench.  I mean, on what other team would Samari Rolle be a second teamer?

3. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) - QB Carson Palmer will be throwing a lot, but I don't know if he can trust his backfield.  Starter Cedric Benson had more carries last year than in any year of his pro career, but didn't improve much on his per-carry yardage.  He had fewer touchdowns than any year as a starter, which doesn't help his worth.  Worse, Benson was Cincy's best runner last season.  Oh well, how's the passing game?  They don't have a dependable tight end, which puts the spotlight squarely on Ochocinco, Laveraneus Coles, and Chad Henry.  Good bunch, but both Coles and Henry have had tough injuries in their career.  That makes them more fragile, and they'll be targets.

The defense looks decent, and should help keep games close enough for Palmer and company to pull them out.  This group isn't big on causing turnovers, but they are a tenacious bunch that makes opponents fight for every yard.  Wearing down opposing offensives is their intention, giving the Bengals an interesting chance to grab victory in the fourth quarter.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - The suspension of Donte Stallworth has caused a jumble in the receiving corps.  We may see rookie Brian Robiskie play fourth wideout occassionally.  Of course, the Browns don't tend to play a four-wide set unless they are significantly behind that it has become a "pass at all costs" game.  You know, we MIGHT see Robiskie quite a bit this season.  That's because the Browns defense still lacks depth, and injuries are likely when you play in the same division as the Steelers, Ravens, and Bengals.  This team will find themselves behind opponents often, especially later in the season.