NFL ‘08 Predictions: AFC North

Also see: NFL '08 Predictions: NFC North | NFC West | NFC East | NFC South

When I was growing up, the AFC Central was by far my favorite division. All four teams were so topsy-turvy and ridiculous, I just loved it. I remember in particular 1989 when the Cincinnati Bengals, defending AFC champions, went 5-1 in the division and did not make the playoffs, but the Pittsburgh Steelers went 1-5 in the division and made it. Where else could that happen but in the AFC Central?

Well, the Houston Oilers are gone and the AFC North is comprised of the same teams with the Baltimore Ravens added in there (or the Cleveland Browns added in, however you wish to look at it). Needless to say, expect another topsy-turvy year in 2008.

Cleveland Browns

I understand that perhaps this is showcasing a bit of overconfidence in the Browns, but they looked great last season and very rarely did they beat themselves. The Browns have made it clear thus far that Derek Anderson is their quarterback. And Brady Quinn as a backup is probably one of the top backups in the league at this point in time. I'm slightly surprised there were no moves made in the offseason to get either Quinn or Anderson. Both would be a pretty solid improvement at starter for the Bears, Ravens, and Falcons and a great future plan for the Lions, Buccaneers, and Eagles.

The Browns have a difficult schedule. And I have a feeling the final game against Pittsburgh is going to be a memorable game where both teams have something on the line. Once again, we'll see who prevails, the Dog Pound or the Steel Curtain.

Prediction: 12-4

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have the most difficult schedule in all of football in 2008. They see New England and Dallas back to back in Weeks 13 and 14, right when a team really needs to get hot and make sure everything is in place for the playoffs. Big Ben Roethlisberger has proven himself as a guy who can just plain win. Willie Parker is a huge talent, while his health seems to remain a concern at this point. Rashard Mendenhall was a great pick for the Steelers, as well. He'll nicely complement Parker in the backfield.

The Steelers gained some new breath under Mike Tomlin and I think it is pretty clear that Tomlin is among the next generation of great head coaches in the NFL. I fully expect Tomlin to become as great as Bill Parcells, Bill Walsh, or Joe Gibbs. And he will be the second African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl.

Prediction: 11-5

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are an anomaly. They are an enigma, a mystery wrapped inside a riddle. The fact that they have no clue who their quarterback will be this season and that they made little effort to figure that out for certain in the offseason is quite scary to me. Head coach John Harbaugh describes this first week as "fun." Yikes, how does that guy sleep at night? My blood pressure would be through the roof if I was in his shoes. The Ravens' once-stellar defense is aging and slowing with each passing year. They're no longer the contenders in the division, they're the spoilers.

Prediction: 7-9

Cincinnati Bengals

I was hard on the Bengals, but their continued lack of growth and immaturity has got to hit rock-bottom sometime. Rudi Johnson was a disappointment last season with only one 100-yard game (that in the ridiculous 51-45 loss to the Browns in Week 2) and he was plagued by injury. His lack of production helped send the Bengals to a dismal 7-9 instead of into the playoffs. Kenny Watson picked up a lot of the slack, but it remains to be seen if he's a feature NFL back.

The biggest problem for the Bengals is defense. The entire team in 2007 recorded a worthless 22 sacks, a league low. And their leader in tackles for the past two seasons, Landon Johnson, is now a member of the Carolina Panthers. The Bengals are going to need some miracles on defense to keep the score down, or Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh better be ready to score 40+ points a game. But that won't be possible if those three don't get along better in the future.

Prediction: 4-12