Around the NFL: AFC North

[MTK]

I'm starting this one up a bit early since I'll be away on a long weekend beginning tomorrow... we'll take the weekend off for the predictions since it's usually slow around here and get back to it on Monday with the NFC North. In the meantime,

2004 NFC North Standings

Steelers 15-1: Still had to believe they won 15 games with a rookie QB at the helm. Just goes to show what a great D and running game can do for you.

Ravens: 9-7: Still hard to believe they won 9 games with such a horrible QB at the helm. Just goes to show what a great D and running game can do for you.

Bengals 8-8: Marvin Lewis seems to have them on the right track, but it's time for them to take the next step up.

Cleveland 4-12: What a mess Romeo Crennel has been stuck with. Ugh.

My predictions for 2005:

Steelers 12-4: Big Ben should be improved which is good news for them but they need to stick with the same formula that got them 15 wins a year ago. A few years ago Cowher decided to get tricky and become a pass oriented offense and it didn't work out. As long as they stick to pounding the rock, they'll be in the thick of things.

Bengals 10-6: Palmer looks like a franchise QB in the making. If he takes the next step forward they'll have a very good offense. They have a workhorse RB in Rudi Johnson, a T.O. Jr. in the making in Chad Johnson (hopefully without the soap opera dramatics) and a defense that should be much improved. I think the Bengals will challenge for a wild card.

Ravens 8-8: Is Boller one of the worst QB's to hit the league in recent memory or is it just me? This is a guy that posted the following single game QB ratings last year: against the Skins 22.9, against the Browns 49.3, against the Patriots 38.4, against the Bengals 59.2, against the Colts 51.0, and finally against the Steelers 59.0. I guess there's only room for improvement. Despite Boller holding them back, the Ravens still have a stout defense and a strong running game to lean on. The clock is ticking on Boller though.

Browns 4-12: Crennel must feel like mini-me standing at the foot of Mt. Everest. He has a few years of piss poor drafts and personnel moves to overcome. It's gonna get worse before it gets better in Cleveland, that's for sure. Trent Dilfer is their best option at QB. Trent Dilfer folks. And you think we have it bad.