2006 AFC North Predictions

AFC north - Pittsburgh Steelers PREDICTIONS

The Steelers are 14:1 to win the Super Bowl, 8:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 8:11 to win the AFC North.

There’s no need for Steelers’ fans to start slashing their wrists following back-to-back pre-season losses to the Cardinals and Vikings. The Steelers were also poor 12 months ago in exhibition games, yet went on to win their first Super Bowl in 26 years.

Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger is on the mend following a motorcycle accident and could well add to his 2005 tally of 17 touchdowns if he gets in a full season.

Just 24, Roethlisberger is the youngest quarterback to win the Lombardi Trohpy and with him calling the shots, the Steelers averaged over 25 points a game last season.

The pressure will be on number one draft pick, wide receiver Santonio Holmes, following the retirement of running back Jerome Bettis and the departure of receiver Antwaan Randle El. However, the talented Holmes has had his problems off the field, and looks to be a high-maintenance player.

Wide receiver Hines Ward, named MVP in the Super Bowl triumph, and tight end Heath Miller, are both potent attacking forces. They combined for 17 touchdowns last season.

Running back, Willie Parker rushed for over 1,200 yards last season and will again feature prominently in the offense, with Verron Haynes earmarked as his backup.

The Steelers have retained last year’s awesome offensive line, with center Jeff Hartings and left tackle Marvel Smith among the best at their craft.

Pittsburgh was sensational on defense last year, but have lost one of their main men in defensive tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen to the Jets. Coach, Bill Cowher is looking for Brett Keisel to fill his sizeable shoes.

The defense still packs plenty of punch though with the likes of Joey Porter, who led the league in sacks last year, Casey Hampton, Larry Foote, Aaron Smith and Clark Haggans. Awesome strong safety Troy Polamalu is back, but free safety Chris Hope, an interception specialist, will be missed after moving to Tennessee.

Summing Up: Defending a Super Bowl is never easy, and a tough schedule doesn’t help. But with the nucleus of last year’s squad, the Steelers will give it a good run.

AFC north - Cincinnati Bengals PREDICTIONS

The Bengals are 30:1 to win the Super Bowl, 16:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 13:5 to win the AFC North.

The Bengals’ hopes of another productive season hinge on the balky knee of talented quarterback Carson Palmer. Cincinnati looked like strong contenders entering the playoffs last year, going in with an impressive 11-5 record. Then, Palmer was injured in their playoff clash with Pittsburgh and their season came to an abrupt end.

Eight months after surgery, Palmer is making a slower than anticipated recovery, and that is a worrying sign for the Bengals. Back-up quarterback Anthony Wright, signed in the wake of Palmer’s problems, is not a player who inspires confidence, although he has looked improved in the pre-season.

Wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J Houshmandzadeh are an excelllent duo, coming up with 16 touchdowns between them last year, but they need Palmer on the field to reproduce those numbers. Johnson has started 2006 in great form, starring in last week’s 44-31 preseason win over the Bills.

Running back, Rudi Johnson is another player on the rise and could easily improve on his 2005 tally of 12 touchdowns.

The Bengals’ defense improved on its 2004 effort last season, and should continue to do a solid job. Buffalo tackle, Sam Adams is a good signing who should add starch to an already formidable defensive line.

Cornerbacks Deltha O'Neal and Tory James are both dangerous, as their 15 interceptions last year shows. Safety Madieu Williams is on the comeback trail from injury, and will give value if he stays on the field. Linebacker Odell Thurman is suspended for the first four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but he should come back raring to go.

Punt returns were a definite weakness last season and the Bengals will be looking to Keiwan Ratliff to produce better than his modest 2005 numbers.

Summing Up: With doubts over Palmer’s ability to go the distance, the Bengals could struggle to reproduce their strong 2005 season.

AFC north - baltimore ravens PREDICTIONS

The Ravens are 35:1 to win the Super Bowl, 17:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 5:1 to win the AFC North.

Many believe Coach Brian Billick has committed a grave error by signing well-traveled quarterback Steve McNair. The 12-year veteran looks like a better proposition than Kyle Boller, but has had injury problems in the past and the Ravens’ offensive line may struggle to keep him healthy.

Ravens’ quarterbacks were sacked 42 times last year, hardly an encouraging stat, and forced Boller into errors on countless more occasions. If the line does its job, McNair does have some potent weapons to work with.

Wide receivers Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton can both do damage, while tight end Todd Heap scored seven touchdowns last season.

Running back Jamal Lewis was a disappointment last year, managing just 3.4 yards per carry, and will be put under pressure by Denver recruit Mike Anderson, who rushed for over 1000 yards last season.

The Ravens defense looks good on paper, but struggles against quality offenses, conceding 30-plus points three times last season. Middle linebacker Ray Lewis was one of the best in the NFL in his prime, but his prime has past.

In an effort to boost the defense, Billick brought in giant defensive tackle, Haloti Ngata as his number one draft pick and veteran defensive end Trevor Pryce.

Safety, Ed Reed is a perennial All-Pro, while defensive end, Terrell Suggs is a player with a proven ability to harass rival quarterbacks.

Matt Stover, who landed 30 of 34 attempts last season, remains one of the best pressure kickers in the NFL and could prove the difference in a tight contest.

Last week’s 20-10 preseason win over Philadelphia was an encouraging performance, particularly after the Ravens trailed 10-3 at halftime.

Summing Up: The Ravens won just six games last year, but should improve on that number. However, the offensive line needs to take better care of McNair than they did their quarterbacks in 2005.

AFC north - Cleveland Browns PREDICTIONS

The Browns are 75:1 to win the Super Bowl, 50:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 8:1 to win the AFC North.

The Browns aren’t expected to instill fear into the hearts of opponents this year, but indications are they should improve on their meagre tally of six wins last season.

Coach Romeo Crennel and quarterback Charlie Frye were both rookies last year and learned a lot over a tough campaign, and both should be better for it.

The return of tight end Kellen Winslow Jr, who missed all of last season after a motorcycle accident, and wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who missed the last four games of the year, will strengthen the Browns’ offense. Edwards is likely to miss the opening game of the season, but the team hopes to have him play in Week 2.

The arrival of consistent wide receiver, Joe Jurevicius also gives Frye the chance to improve on his four touchdowns last season. Veteran, Ken Dorsey has come over from San Francisco to be Frye’s backup.

Running back, Reuben Droughns gained over 1,200 yards last year, and is the featured back once again. Pro Bowl center, LeCharles Bentley was signed from New Orleans, but he is out for the year with an ACL injury. Left tackle, Kevin Shaffer was another free agent, and he is key to protecting Frye’s blindside.

The Browns were sacked 45 times last year, but Crennell hopes that guards Cosey Coleman and Joe Andruzzi, can help drop that figure dramatically.

Another player to keep an eye out on is rookie running back Jerome Harrison. He looked like the goods in the recent 20-16 preseason defeat of Detroit, and could develop quicker than expected.

Defense was a definite weakness for the Browns last season, with the team producing less sacks than any team in the NFL. Crennel is a noted defensive coach and he has bought in outside linebacker Willie McGinest, nose tackle Ted Washington and rookie linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson. Now, all this talent needs to learn to play together as a unit.

Kicker Phil Dawson (27 of 29 last year) is a reliable performer, while Dennis Northcutt and Josh Cribbs are returners capable of long-distance touchdowns.

Summing Up: The Browns are a team slowly building for the future, but probably a year or two away from being a genuine post-season contender. With one of the harder schedules, they need to improve their home record to come up with a winning season.

Click any of the following links for more NFL 2006 Division Predictions for the NFL 2006 Betting Season.

2006 AFC West Predictions
2006 AFC South Predictions
2006 AFC North Predictions
2006 AFC East Predictions
2006 NFC West Predictions
2006 NFC South Predictions
2006 NFC East Predictions
2006 NFC North Predictions

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