2014 AFC North Predictions

I am partial to this division since my beloved Bengals play in this division.  The teams in this division just beat the crap out of each other year after year.  The one thing I love about this division is that all the teams can never take any game for granted...if they do, they loose.  Let's get down to the predictions:

1st - Baltimore Ravens (9-7): This seems like a low number of wins to clinch a division, but like I said this division just beats the crap out of each other.  I like the fact that the offense is concentrating more on the run this year, and the defense year after year is always good.  Ray Rice will have a better year than last year (which is hard to do considering he was not his normal player last year).

Will do better than the predicted record if:  Their o-line can learn to protect Joe this year and open up holes for the run.  I love the Steve Smith signing, and I think that he will fit in very well with this team, and will lead the team in receptions.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  The o-line plays anything like they did in the pre-season.  The o-line was getting thrown around like rag dolls during the pre-season.  As a Bengals fan, I am looking very forward to their d-line go up against these guys.  If their offense cannot stay on the field, and they cannot run the ball...it could spell a long season in Baltimore.

2nd - Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): If there was a team that looked mediocre last year it was the Steelers.  Their team in the beginning of the season was terrible, but looked so different during the second half of the season.  I just can't look past that, honestly.  I can't stand the Steelers, but I have to give it to them, they seem to have a decent team year after year.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  The can sweep two of the three divison rivals.  It sounds simple, but as any fan in the AFC North will tell you...it's not.  IF their o-line can come together and stay healthy, they have a shot to be a 10 win team.  But in all honesty, it comes down to a defense that looks like it needs work.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  Their defense continues to play like it did in the pre-season.  When a bunch of second stringers is moving the ball up and down on the majority of your defensive starters you might be in for a long season.  They also have been loosing some serious WR depth the last few years, but someone seems to always step up...let's see what happens.

3rd - Cincinnati Bengals (7-9): This may surprise people that I have them down here with a losing record.  I think that this season will say A LOT about Andy and Marvin.  I have them here because their schedule is tough and they play a lot of prime-time games.  The Bengals have struggled in both prime-time games and games against good teams.  Andy has been miserable in those games.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  They can prove their history wrong under the Marvin Lewis and Andy era.  Plain and simple, if they beat good teams, and win games in prime-time...they will be a team that will be a force in the play-offs.  I am trying not to let my fandom get in the way, and I need to see my Bengals break their past history.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They suffer a ton of injuries like they did last year.  I know they are a part of the game, but the Bengals had numerous practice squad people playing on defense last year by the end of the season.  If Andy does not step up, and Marvin continues to have his team prepared poorly for big games then it could be worse then the 7 wins I predicted.

4th - Cleveland Browns (5-11): Some how the Browns seem to win a few games every year that they have no business winning.  I feel bad for the fans in Cleveland, and then I remember that they have won a play-off game more recently than the Bengals...then my sympathy disapears.  Folks, it will probably be a long season, but hey, you have LeBron back right????

Will do better than the predicted record if:  The defense can score about 21 points a game.  The offense will need a lot of help this season.  If they can stay healthier than the other teams in the division, then they have a shot at a couple of upsets.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  The QB's play the way the did in the pre-season.  WOW, you want to talk about a franchise that needs QB stability, look no further than the Browns.  If their defense has injuries left and right, you might be looking at a 1-15 team.

2014 AFC East Predictions

This divison overall continues year after year to have one really good team...an above average team...a bad team...and a terrible team.  Once again I am predicting that you can pencil the Pats into the play-offs before the season even begins (forget the pencil, use a pen...its a lock).

1st - New England Patriots (13-3):  This team is good, and improved their defense from a year ago.  Brady will be Brady and Vereen will have a huge year this year, just watch.  I love the Revis addition, and the fact that they get their big DT back from injury this year is huge as well.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  They beat any one of the Packers, Colts, Bengals, or Broncos.  I don't see good old Billy B letting them play a game where they get upset, it's just not the "patriot way".

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They suffer a huge injury like Brady or Revis.  I just don't see them loosing more than 3 games with their schedule.  It is probably the easiest (because of their division) schedule of any 1st place team from last year.

2nd - Miami Dolphins (8-8): I have seen some predictions of them being a 10 win team, I just don't see it.  Thier O-line is going to be a disaster.  Tannehill will be hitting the ground hard a lot this season.  I think that their receiving core is extremely over-rated.  Wallace is not worth the money he signed, and they don't have a true #2 WR.  They have a number of great slot WR's, but no true #2.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  I am totally wrong and the o-line is actually even decent.  They play the AFC West, and I just don't see them matching up well against them, and they also have to face KC and BAL as their two additional games, plus the NFC North.  They also need to develop a run game (so its not a repeat of last season).

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They choke like they did last year at the end of the year.  Don't get me wrong, I like Tannehill, but you have to have a line in front of you in order to have time to pass.  If their run game is the same as last year, they could really be in trouble with some of the defenses they will be facing.

3rd - Buffalo Bills (6-10):  If there is one fanbase I feel really bad for it has to be these guys.  They have struck out on QB after QB.  Their defense is getting better, I like Sammy, but I am not sold at all on Manuel (I hope he proves me wrong).  This team just faces a very challenging schedule, sorry Bills fans.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  Manuel can stay healthy and have a crazy good season.  They have a running game, decent o-line, good WR's, and a decent defense.  We will see how good the defense can play this season, and what the QB can do.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They suffer A LOT of injuries.  I was very conservative with my pick of 6 wins.  I hope that they don't do worse than this, but I guess their is always a chance.

4th - NY Jets (4-12):  All you need to know is that Geno had a rough pre-season and that Rex left their starters in against the Bengals 3rd stringers to get "revenge" from last years beating.  When your "revenge" game is in the pre-season your team might have a long season ahead.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  A miracle happens for the second straight year?  I don't know how Rex got them to play .500 football last year, but he did.  They could get more than 4 wins, but again, its a tough schedule.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They are the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS?  I mean let's be honest, they signed a number of old washed-up players in the off-season, they have no o-line, and their starters only won by 8 points against 3rd stringers...do I need to say more??????