AFC North - Looking Ahead
by Rexx on Oct 1, 2008 10:55 AM EDT
16 comments
After one quarter of the 2008 NFL season is complete (except for the Ravens and Texans), we take a look at the AFC North standings and the next quarter of the season to predict where they will be at the halfway point. The Ravens will not have a break for the rest of the season and will catch up in games played over the next two months. Here are the current standings in the AFC North:
| AFC NORTH | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STRK | DIV | CONF |
| Pittsburgh | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 77 | 58 | Won 1 | 2-0 | 3-0 |
| Baltimore | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 65 | 43 | Lost 1 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Cleveland | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 46 | 78 | Won 1 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 52 | 87 | Lost 4 | 0-2 | 0-3 |
Starting at the top of the division, here are the Steelers next four weeks' games:
@ Jacksonville, BYE, @ Cincinnati, hosting NY Giants
I see the Jaguars hard hitting defense continuing to brutalize Roethlisberger and their running game overwhelming the Steelers defense, as good as they've been. I also like Jags QB David Garrard's scrambling ability to contribute to the Steelers defeat. The Cincinnati game could be a trap game for Pittsburgh if Carson Palmer is healthy, although I'll put this in the win column for the Steelers. Even with the home game, I still see the Giants beating the Steelers, as they've been great on the road the past couple of seasons and have both the offense and defense to win at Heinz Field. Therefore, I'm adding a win and two losses to the Steelers record by the end of week eight.
The Ravens next four games are as follows:
hosting Tennessee, @ Indy, @ Miami, hosting Oakland
I'm looking for a rebound win over the previously undefeated Titans in front of a loud home crowd, a loss at Indy, and wins on the road in Miami (I'll be there rooting for them in my first ever Ravens road trip, other than SB35) and a win over the Raiders. That's 3 wins and a loss over the next four games for the Ravens.
The Browns next four are as follows:
BYE, hosting NY Giants (on MNF), @ Washington, @ Jacksonville
Ouch, other than their BYE week, I see them laying a bagel and going 0-for, including losing at home on MNF. That's three more losses in an already disappointing season after such promising preseason expectations.
The winless Bengals are up next and it doesn't look to get any better. Their next four are as follows:
@ Dallas, @ NY Jets, hosting Pittsburgh, @ Houston
The first three are looking pretty bleak and although I am hoping that they catch the Steelers napping, I'm looking at three tough games and most likely losses. The last of the four games is at the Texans, but as bad as the Bengals have looked, there's no way I can predict a win on the road, even against the Texans. That's another four winless games, making the Bengals the disappointment of the season along with their Ohio neighbors from Cleveland.
That would make the standings in the AFC North after week eight look like this:
| AFC NORTH | W | L | T | ||||||
| Baltimore | 5 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Pittsburgh | 4 | 3 | 0 | ||||||
| Cleveland | 1 | 6 | 0 | ||||||
| Cincinnati | 0 | 8 | 0 |
|
Seeing the Ravens at the top of the AFC North at the end of eight weeks makes the loss of Monday night's game a little more palatable. In addition, we get the chance to exact revenge on the Steelers in week 15 in Baltimore. Hopefully, that game will have definite implications on the division standings as we fight for the title of AFC North Division Champs and postseason football!
1 recs |
16 comments
Email
Print
Comments
The Steelers paid a high price for that win.
In fact, the win that they earned Monday night may cost them several wins in the next 4-5 weeks and all season long. They lost two key players on offense. Mendenhall was a big blow to an already shallow backfield. Let’s not forget how many games Parker missed last year. Simmons was a bigger blow. Simmons loss will be felt in the short-term on an already struggling offensive line and in the long-term. Here’s what rotoworld had to say regarding Kendall Simmons.
“Steelers G Kendall Simmons had his ruptured Achilles repaired Tuesday and faces eight months of recovery time.”
“Simmons will be 30 in 2009 and is no guarantee to resume playing at a high level coming off such a devastating injury. The $24 million contract the Steelers gave Simmons two offseasons ago could come back to haunt them.”
That being said, I think that the Ravens may now be the favorites to win the AFC North. They came out of the game proven and stronger. The Steelers came our of the game shallower and significantly weaker.
by BAL_Hawk on Oct 1, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Everyone is overstating our injuries.
1) Sorry, but simmons sucks. Anyone who has followed our O-line and an analysis of it for the past year would know that, which I’m fully aware only steelers fans would. Losing him is a non-story. Did you guys notice any difference when he was in the game vs. when he was replaced by a 1st-time starter 2nd year guy?
2) We love Mendenhall at BSTC, it would have been great to have him pick up some runs this year and get better in preparation for being a great RB, but then Ray Lewis destroyed him (man what a hit). With that being said, in games 2 and 3 he only had the ball once. He was not going to be a force on this offense this year, lets move along.
You guys seem so frighteningly optimistic about your team, and I won’t try and discourage that. I don’t think anything will convince you your team doesn’t deserve to be AFC north champs, and I’ll just disagree. I
by steelguy99 on Oct 1, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Partial Agreement
I agree that the loss of Simmons didn’t affect your o-line, and they actually seemed to protect Ben better in the second half anyway. I also agree that Mrndenhall would be a nice reserve, but certainly not part of a two back offense as long as Parker is healthy. You now signed, once again, Davenport, who will do fine for you. As far as us being AFC North champs in 2008, only time will tell. However, if we keep improving and our defense stays strong, weshould be in most every game. What makes it interesting is that you guys are not worlds above us and have an extremely difficult schedule that might help us to the title by default if we do reasonably well. It’s not unreasonable to see that the AFC North might be won with a 10-6 record, which we look to have as good as a shot to get there as you do, based on our easier schedule and healthier roster. Let’s see when we meet in week 15 where we stand. Good and fair comments, though.
Rexx
by Rexx on Oct 1, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree
Take a gander at the Steelers remaining schedule. They have a much tougher task ahead of them and I can’t see them staying healthy enough even past Jacksonville. If we can stop the stupid penalties and big plays, we can steal the division title if we just stay out of trouble.
Rexx
by Rexx on Oct 1, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's funny.
I was looking at the the Brown’s schedule. I can’t see another team on Cleveland’s schedule that they can beat (as of right now). Maybe Cincy and Houston.
The Bengals may have a better chance. They have a shot versus Cleveland, Houston and Kansas City (again, as of right now). Either way, their easiest games will be against each other.
by BAL_Hawk on Oct 1, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know man, every team in the AFC north has a tough schedule. Lets say we both do exactly the same against the NFC east and the AFC south, and against the clowns/bengals, that leaves our other two games. Lets say you win against the raiders/miami and we lose against the patriots/chargers. That leaves a two games, both against each other, and we already got one.
Lets not assume the steelers task is oh so much harder and completely impossible, though if we win the division praise is appreciated. But if you guys can do it, we can do it, and game 15 should be one for the ages.
by steelguy99 on Oct 1, 2008 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jags
Coming back on a short week to go on the road with your injuries against a tough running attack like Jacksonville is a tall task. I will be impressed if you can come away with a win there. If so, come back here and I’ll give you your props. If not, come back and take your medicine. Deal?
Rexx
by Rexx on Oct 1, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like that we have a bye week coming up, and you’re right it is going to be a tall task.
I’ll come take my medicine the first time you beat a team we lost to, or the first time we lose to a team you beat, how about that?
by steelguy99 on Oct 1, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent write-up and predictions by the way.
I think that the Pittsburgh-Jacksonville match-up is a toss-up. That one could go either way. Both teams are struggling on the offensive-line.
I have to give the edge to the Jaguars because it’s a home game for them, and the Steelers are still recovering from Monday night.
by BAL_Hawk on Oct 1, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jaguars
They beat and ran on a very good Buffalo defense and ran all over the Texans, although the Texans kept it close. Plus, the Jags have learned how to play bad and still win at the end, as their two last second FG’s have led them to a 2-2 record. They are very physical and the steelers are coming off of a short week andare on the road. At least we are at home, although this will be a real tough one for us.
Rexx
by Rexx on Oct 1, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Ravens has a much a better chance...
of winning in Indy than against the Titans in Baltimore.
This Sunday would be a great game. Hope Rolle and Mason plays well but not to well. Hope no major injuries on both sides. Titans win 16-6.
Go Titans!
by Pinoy Titan on Oct 2, 2008 3:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rolle is out with an injury
you underestimate the Ravens in Baltimore. This is the toughest game for the Titans to date.
Jax at home, and they were a complete mess at the time offensively.
at Cincy (Baltimore >>>>>>>> Cincy this year)
host Houston, and Baltimore is way better than Houston.
host Minnesota (the best team that you faced, but with a putrid passing game, and our defense is better)
Titans are playing away against a team that is as good if not better than any team you’ve faced. We’re probably better than Jax and Minnesota in any case.
Not saying the Titans aren’t up to it, they are obviously a great team. But Baltimore traditionally steps up at home.
by math_geek on Oct 2, 2008 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Ravens will be fired up to be back home in Baltimore
I have my doubts that the Titans D will hold the Ravens to two measly field goals. Between our Special Teams and opportunistic D I think there is a good chance we will have great field position at least a few times throughout the game.
By no means am I underestimating the Titans D though. They are very, very, good and Haynesworth is a beast, but the Ravens D is no slouch, especially at home. It will be a defensive battle and I see the Ravens winning a tight one by the final of 17-13.
by DT711 on Oct 2, 2008 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check out my summer prediction...
…in my July 2nd blog. Of course, I was expecting VY to be the QB, but the results should pretty much be in the vicinity, no matter who wins. Either way, take the under no matter what!
Rexx
by Rexx on Oct 2, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
