| BETUS.COM
by Eric Williams :
Posted on Friday, August 04, 2006 @ 10:08:05
AM
Simply
put, the AFC North could be the best division
in all of football this season.
Not only does the division
feature the defending Super Bowl champion, Pittsburgh
Steelers, but also the division-winning Cincinnati
Bengals, quickly improving Cleveland Browns
and even the Baltimore Ravens, who have acquired
quarterback Steve McNair in an effort to get
them back into the upper echelon of AFC teams.
Here’s my breakdown
on the AFC North for 2006.
AFC North - Preview Cincinnati
Bengals
The Bengals’ big
– and only – question may be whether
former Heisman trophy winning quarterback, Carson
Palmer, can bounce back from the horrific knew
injury he suffered in the playoffs against the
Steelers.
If Palmer resembles his
old self, then the Bengals could be as good
as any team in league, not just their division.
If Palmer has problems bouncing back, then the
Bengals could transform back into the Bungles
– although I don’t see head coach,
Marvin Lewis letting that happen no matter who
his starting quarterback is. With all of the
incredible competition in the AFC North, I think
it is quite possible that each team in this
division could go 3-3 in division contests.
However, I’ll go one step further and
say that the Bengals will win four division
games in 2006.
AFC North - Preview Pittsburgh
Steelers
As usual under head coach
Bill Cowher, the Steelers will once again field
another strong defensive team. Whether they
can run the ball effectively without the power
running of Jerome Bettis will be a question
the Steelers can answer only when the regular
season begins.
One other question the
Steelers may have to deal with this season is
whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can bounce
back from his horrendous offseason motorcycle
accident without any lingering effects –
which I suspect he will.
Pencil the Steelers in
for three division wins and possibly four.
AFC North - Preview Cleveland
Browns
Head coach Romeo Crennel
has already begun the transformation of the
Browns from bungling losers into competent professionals.
Year-two under Crennel should continue this
process as the Browns now have several talented
players who should make even bigger contributions
than they did last season.
Cleveland lucked up with
starting quarterback, Charlie Frye who seems
to have everything it takes to succeed as a
starting quarterback in the NFL.
First-round draft picks,
tight end, Kellen Winslow, and wide receiver,
Braylon Edwards, should immediately offer offensive
help to Frye that wasn’t available last
season and defensive veterans, Willie McGinest
and Ted Washington, will help to add experience
and leadership for the young Browns.
I expect Cleveland to go
at least 3-3 in the division this year while
fighting to stay around .500 this season, but
I am going on record right now to say that the
Browns will be a team that no one wants to face
come 2007.
AFC North - Preview Baltimore
Ravens
The Ravens have needed
a new quarterback for the last few seasons,
but head coach has idiotically continued to
believe that former starter, Kyle Boller, had
what it takes to be a starting quarterback in
the NFL.
Enter Steve McNair, who
may or may not have enough gas left in the tank
to take this team from pretender to legitimate
contender.
Were the Ravens not in
this division, things would be much easier on
this team, which does still have plenty of talent.
However, they are in the
AFC North, with two excellent teams and one
that should at least be their equal this season.
Depending on what McNair
brings to the table – and what kind of
coaching job Billick gives his team, not to
mention, quitter supreme, Jamal Lewis, Baltimore
could either go 6-10 or 10-6 in 2006. At the
very least, I expect them to win at least two
division games and possibly three while fighting
to stay around .500 this season.
Click
Here For NFL and AFC North Football Wagering
Odds.
Click Below For More
NFL Divisional Previews 
NFC
West Preview
NFC
South Preview
NFC
North Preview
NFC
Eest Preview
AFC
West Preview
AFC
South Preview
AFC
North Preview
AFC
East Preview
BetUS.com
( https://www.BetUS.com)
is one of the oldest and most respected legal
online sports betting organizations in the
world and is licensed and bonded in two recognized
gaming jurisdictions – Canada and Costa
Rica. Employing over 500 people, BetUS.com
provides a safe and secure place for sports
wagering to more than 100,000 clients. Members
can enjoy wagering on some of their favorite
sports including: football, basketball, baseball,
hockey, golf and boxing. BetUS.com has been
in operation for 11 years. |
