Playing the numbers game:AFC North versus AFC East and NFC North

[Brees#1]

I just did AFC West yesterday and now I am doing the AFC North. I will outline the last five years followed by my predicted records for each team this year against the two divisions they play and their own.

Baltimore against the second AFC divisions
08-2-2(won at texans and against jaguars)
09-4-0
10-3-1(lost at pats)
11-2-2(won at home against colts and texans)
12-3-1(lost at home against broncos)
13..............................................................I'm going backwards here. 4-0 is not happening, I think they go 2-2 with losses at either the dolphins or bills in that two game road trip and at home against the pats week 16.

Baltimore against the NFC divisions
08-3-1(lost at giants)
09-2-2(won against bears and lions at home)
10-3-1(lost at falcons)
11-3-1(lost at seahawks)
12-2-2(won against giants and cowboys at home)
13.............................................................they have mainly been 3-1 for two or three years straight years with a 2-2 here or there. With the problems packers are having, ravens should win that and it will take more than AP to win in Baltimore. And I doubt vikings go into cold Baltimore in December and win. AP did not go into a cold northeast place last December. And since I don't believe they will back to 11 form this year, I'm picking ravens to beat lions.

Baltimore against their own division
08-4-2
09-3-3
10-4-2
11-6-0
12-4-2
13...................................................................3-3. Its been a sweep every other year between them and bengals. They sweep the bengals, but believe their run comes to an end in Cleveland. I'm picking the steelers to sweep. When Big Ben is healthy all year, the steelers don't lose.

Baltimore pending the two swing games is 8-6. They go to Denver week 1 and host Houston week 3. Both of these are projected losses and ravens will end up 8-8.

Bengals up next.

 

[Brees#1]

Cincinatti against the second AFC divisions
08-1-3(won against jaguars)
09-1-3(won against chiefs)
10-0-4
11-3-1(lost against texans)
12-3-1(lost against broncos)
13....................................................................3-1 trend continues. They beat the bills in Buffalo(but I'm wondering if I'm making a bad prediction there) and win in Miami on a short week. Mainly because I think jets upset bengals week 8(pass defense is jets advantage and bengals cannot commit to one back which is needed against a team like that), they will be more ready than the dolphins who will be trying to win in Foxborough. And I think after the falcons game, bengals get their second big win against the pats(the first Green Bay).

Cincinatti against the NFC divisions
08-1-2-1(won against redskins and tied eagles)
09-3-1(lost at vikings)
10-1-3(won at panthers)
11-3-1(lost against 49ers)
12-3-1(lost against cowboys)
13...............................................................1-3. I think they are vulnerable to Minnesota's rushing attack and will most likely lose the first week in Chicago and think its too much to think they will beat both a rested bills and more talented offense in the lions back to back.

Cincinatti against their own division
08-1-5
09-6-0
10-2-4
11-2-4
12-3-3
13............................................................They sweep the browns but thats about it. I think steelers return to owning the bengals. Last year both games the bengals lost one and barely won the other. 2-4.

Bengals pending their remaining two swing games would go 6-8. I think they lose at San Diego this time and win at home against the colts. Final record 7-9.

 

[Brees#1]

Pittsburgh against the second AFC divisions
08-2-2(won at jaguars and against texans)
09-2-2(won at broncos and against chargers)
10-2-2(won at dolphins and bills)
11-3-1(lost at texans)
12-1-3(won against chiefs)
13.............................................................2-2. They win both home games against dolphins and bills and think they lose at jets as there's history of close games between the two and the pats, which shouldnt be a surprise.

Pittsburgh against the NFC divisions
08-2-2(lost at eagles and against giants)
09-3-1(lost at bears)
10-3-1(lost at saints)
11-3-1(lost at 49ers)
12-3-1(lost at cowboys)
13..........................................................3-1 again. Usually steelers lose one interconference road game each year and only once since 03 have they lost at home. I don't think the bears are going into Pittsburgh and winning. I think given where its at and how they could be healthier by then, packers get the win against them.

Pittsburgh against their own division
08-6-0
09-2-4
10-5-1
11-4-2
12-3-3
13.........................................................6-0. Its their year in this division.

Pittsburgh is going to go back to their winning ways this year. Big Ben and Haley will show they don't need Wallace and besides they got another playmaker of the same caliber as Wallace in Wheaton. Pending their remaing two swing games they are 11-3 and believe that a win against titans and loss at raiders puts them at 12-4.

 

[Brees#1]

Cleveland against the second AFC divisions
08-1-3(won at jaguars)
09-2-2(won at chiefs and against raiders)
10-2-2(won at dolphins and against pats)
11-2-2(won at colts and against jaguars)
12-3-1(lost at broncos)
13.................................................2-2. They win at the jets. Yes I have steelers losing and browns winning. Just like last year when steelers lost at raiders and browns won or in 09 when steelers lost at chiefs and browns won. Browns play some road games differently than steelers. And their other win is against the bills on a short week. Being at home again after a loss to bengals gives them an advantage.

Cleveland against the NFC divisions
08-1-3(won against giants)
09-0-4
10-2-2(won at saints and against panthers)
11-1-3(won against seahawks)
12-0-4
13.............................................0-4 again, I just cannot see them winning at home against the lions and bears. Even with the lions will still be too much and after losing at Green Bay they will want to bounce back and avoid back to back road losses. And no way can I see them upsetting either Green Bay or Minnesota on the road.

Cleveland against their own division
08-1-5
09-1-5
10-1-5
11-0-6
12-2-4
13.............................................1-5. This is going in line with my prediction of the browns beating the ravens while getting swept by the bengals and steelers.

Browns are 3-11 before the swing games. They split those, beating Jacksonville and losing at KC. They end up 4-12.

 

[Brees#1]

Pittsburgh 12-4
Baltimore 8-8
Cincinatti 7-9
Cleveland 4-12

All good things come to an end. Steelers two sb wins were greeted by 8-8 and 9-7 records. It happens.

 

[evolver115]

Pittsburgh 12-4
Baltimore 8-8
Cincinatti 7-9
Cleveland 4-12

All good things come to an end. Steelers two sb wins were greeted by 8-8 and 9-7 records. It happens.

I'd be thrilled with that outcome, but don't think it's very likely though. Thinking more like 10-6 or 9-7. There's a lot of young position players expected to take on larger roles this season on the d-line, o-line, LB's, DB's, etc. They definitely are the darkhorse in the division this season with Cinci and Balto being the preseason darlings.

 

[Money]

Pittsburgh 12-4
Baltimore 8-8
Cincinatti 7-9
Cleveland 4-12

All good things come to an end. Steelers two sb wins were greeted by 8-8 and 9-7 records. It happens.

I would literally bet everything I own that the Steelers finish worse than 12-4. I would then bet everything I own all over again that the Ravens finish better than 8-8.

 

[Southieinnc]

I would literally bet everything I own that the Steelers finish worse than 12-4. I would then bet everything I own all over again that the Ravens finish better than 8-8.

Money, I would agree with you on the bets but I'm not so sure about anything that I'd bet "everything that I own"

With parity these days, seems like almost anthing could happen, maybe except the Raiders winning the Superbowl

 

[Money]

Money, I would agree with you on the bets but I'm not so sure about anything that I'd bet "everything that I own"

With parity these days, seems like almost anthing could happen, maybe except the Raiders winning the Superbowl

Maybe I just have a gambling problem.

 

[Brees#1]

I'd be thrilled with that outcome, but don't think it's very likely though. Thinking more like 10-6 or 9-7. There's a lot of young position players expected to take on larger roles this season on the d-line, o-line, LB's, DB's, etc. They definitely are the darkhorse in the division this season with Cinci and Balto being the preseason darlings.

As Cinci tries to improve, they face a tougher schedule, especially on the road. They had some easy road games last year. Chicago, Detroit, and San Diego this year are not going to be the same as Washington, Philadelphia(which Dalton btw stunk in that game), and Jacksonville. Just do not see it. Ravens just lost their most polarizing figure on game day. Ray was the ravens, someone will have to step up and be that figure. Its just not going to be the same. And yeah I'm aware of Harrison, but we'll see. No one said bengals defense would suck, but are they driven enough on offense to prove something?

 

[Brees#1]

I would literally bet everything I own that the Steelers finish worse than 12-4. I would then bet everything I own all over again that the Ravens finish better than 8-8.

@Denver-This is a loss
Cleveland-Win, but Cleveland has played better on the road here.I think its a split anyways.
Houston-Loss. They have Cushing back and now have Reed to the mix.
@Buffalo-Loss. The bills do play the ravens tough, they have in the past. And Buffalo at RWS isnt some pushover. Ravens will have to win in the trenches to win this. Spiller's the problem here. And bills started improving against the run last year, and can be at times a great secondary. This team has played a whole year together as well and will probably be more talented on the field this year.
@Miami-Win. They have the saints on MNF the prior week(not even a week). This is the perfect opportunity for them to stumble in a home upset, much like what happened against Tennessee after a losing effort against the colts.
Green Bay-Win.
@Pittsburgh-Loss
@Cleveland-Loss
So that leaves them at 3-5
Cincinatti-Win, 4-5
@Chicago-What are the chances Chicago will be 4-5 this week? Not that likely they'll have 1 or 2 more wins. Loss. 4-6.
New York(Jets)-Win. Easiest game on schedule 5-6.
Steelers-I just think its a loss. 5-7
Vikings-Win. lets put it this way if ravens did win that, they'd lose this and some people are already predicting this to be a loss and steelers a win so really, same result 1-1 split. 6-7
@Lions-Win. 7-7
Pats-Loss. 7-8
@Bengals-Win. 8-8


And look at steelers. Is Cutler gonna go into Heinz field and torch the steelers on Sunday night? their other home games are bills, lions, and dolphins, and titans outside division. All extremely winnable. Last year that same situation they went 4-1 losing to San Diego. It was that game that hurt them and the division games. But in division games when it comes to good teams there's always paybacks. See, i dig deeper into this stuff, I look at who they beat and how they won. Many people do not do this they look at the record of last year and go off of that. Steelers may not be improved talent wise but the distraction is gone and they will win the same games they have won but get the early advantage in division games.

 

[Brees#1]

Cincinatti against the second AFC divisions
08-1-3(won against jaguars)
09-1-3(won against chiefs)
10-0-4
11-3-1(lost against texans)
12-3-1(lost against broncos)
13....................................................................3-1 trend continues. They beat the bills in Buffalo(but I'm wondering if I'm making a bad prediction there) and win at home against the jets. Mainly because I think its a short week the dolphins will beat the bengals week 9. I also have them beating the pats in a upset.

Cincinatti against the NFC divisions
08-1-2-1(won against redskins and tied eagles)
09-3-1(lost at vikings)
10-1-3(won at panthers)
11-3-1(lost against 49ers)
12-3-1(lost against cowboys)
13...............................................................1-3. I think they are vulnerable to Minnesota's rushing attack and will most likely lose the first week in Chicago and think its too much to think they will beat both a rested bills and more talented offense in the lions back to back.

Cincinatti against their own division
08-1-5
09-6-0
10-2-4
11-2-4
12-3-3
13............................................................They sweep the browns but thats about it. I think steelers return to owning the bengals. Last year both games the bengals lost one and barely won the other. 2-4.

Bengals pending their remaining two swing games would go 6-8. I think they lose at San Diego this time and win at home against the colts. Final record 7-9.

Updated in bold. Changed their loss and wins around against jets and dolphins.

 

[Brees#1]

Cleveland against the second AFC divisions
08-1-3(won at jaguars)
09-2-2(won at chiefs and against raiders)
10-2-2(won at dolphins and against pats)
11-2-2(won at colts and against jaguars)
12-3-1(lost at broncos)
13.................................................3-1. They win at the jets. Yes I have steelers losing and browns winning. Just like last year when steelers lost at raiders and browns won or in 09 when steelers lost at chiefs and browns won. Browns play some road games differently than steelers. And their other wins are at home against the dolphins week 1 and bills on a short week. Being at home again after a loss to bengals gives them an advantage.

Cleveland against the NFC divisions
08-1-3(won against giants)
09-0-4
10-2-2(won at saints and against panthers)
11-1-3(won against seahawks)
12-0-4
13.............................................0-4 again, I just cannot see them winning at home against the lions and bears. Even with the lions will still be too much and after losing at Green Bay they will want to bounce back and avoid back to back road losses. And no way can I see them upsetting either Green Bay or Minnesota on the road.

Cleveland against their own division
08-1-5
09-1-5
10-1-5
11-0-6
12-2-4
13.............................................1-5. This is going in line with my prediction of the browns beating the ravens while getting swept by the bengals and steelers.

Browns are 4-10 before the swing games. They split those, beating Jacksonville and losing at KC. They end up 5-11.

Updated in bold. Giving them a win against Miami after seeing how good their defense is and how mediocre Tannehill is.

 

[Brees#1]

Pittsburgh 12-4
Baltimore 8-8
Cincinatti 7-9
Cleveland 5-11

All good things come to an end. Steelers two sb wins were greeted by 8-8 and 9-7 records. It happens.

Updated in bold

 

[Brees#1]

Pittsburgh 12-4
Cincinatti 8-8
Baltimore 7-9
Cleveland 6-10

This latest change is switching Cincinatti and Baltimore's win/loss at Detroit. I decided to give the win to Cincinatti. And I think the bears have a tough schedule and I now think Cutler will lose the game in Cleveland. Also, I decided to give the bills the bengals game. The 9 days rest before playing at RWS is actually going to be enough. So I basically changed their wins week 6 and 7 and decided to give them the vikings.

Pittsburgh's NFC record last five years and this-2-2, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1--3-1
Pittsburgh's AFC record last five years and this-2-2, 2-2, 2-2, 3-1, 1-3--2-2
Pittsburgh's division record last years and this-6-0, 3-3, 5-1, 4-2, 3-3--6-0
Cincinatti's NFC record last five years and this-1-2-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 3-1--3-1
Cincinatti's AFC record last five years and this-1-3, 1-3, 0-4, 3-1, 3-1--2-2
Cincinatti's division record last five years and this-1-5, 6-0, 2-4, 2-4, 3-3--2-4
Baltimore's AFC record last five years and this-2-2, 4-0, 3-1, 2-2, 3-1--2-2
Baltimore's NFC record last five years and this-3-1, 2-2, 3-1, 3-1, 2-2--2-2
Baltimore's division record last five years and this-4-2, 4-2, 4-2, 6-0, 4-2--3-3
Cleveland's AFC record last five years and this-1-3, 2-2, 2-2, 2-2, 3-1--3-1
Cleveland's NFC record last five years and this-1-3, 0-4, 2-2, 1-3, 0-4--1-3
Cleveland's division record last five years and this-1-5, 1-5, 1-5, 0-6, 2-4--1-5