A Look Into the AFC North (2nd Half)

[CrashDavisSports]

NFLN: Who Is The Team To Beat In The AFC North?

This is a video discussion on how these particular analysts see the 2nd half of the season unfolding.

Anyone agree or disagree with any of the analysts?

 

[Cincyfan78]

Can't watch it at work, so...?

What do they say?

 

[cincygrad]

I look at the schedules..... Pittsburgh has the easiest road to the playoffs -- By far.

I'm not sure they're consistent enough to take advantage, but I have a feeling they'll have the inside track if they beat B-more this week.

 

[DanBengalfan]

it's almost a dice roll. 4 of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL

would be nice to see AJ Green and Eiffert healthy again.

 

[cincygrad]

Aside from a road game with us, Pittsburgh's only remaining road games are against the Titans, Jets and Falcons. All three of them are bottom-feeders. They have a few tough home games - Ravens, Bengals, Saints, Chiefs.... But they are at home.

Ravens still have to play in Miami, Houston and New Orleans. Winning 2 out of those 3 will be key for them, but not easy. They also have to play San Diego and Cleveland at home still.

The Browns have us twice, a road game in Baltimore and road games in Carolina, Buffalo and Atlanta. Buffalo is competing for a playoff birth and will probably be tough at home. They also have to play Indy still (in Cleveland).

We have 5 of our last 9 on the road. We still have Pittsburgh twice, Cleveland twice, a game in New Orleans and a home game against the Broncos.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Can't watch it at work, so...?

What do they say?

Someone says the Bengals are still the team to beat, even if they have been inconsistent.

Same guy thinks the Browns are going to sneak into the playoffs.

Another guy thinks the Ravens have the best overall team to make a legit push.

Another guy thinks the Steelers stepped up and proved they are not out of this and they have the offensive firepower to win this division.

Another guy chimes in on Cincinnati's firepower as well once Green comes back healthy and they can get Eifert back to pair with Gresham. That Cincinnati will have the offense to compete in this division and so far has the upper hand with the two wins over Baltimore.

Basically, no clear cut favorite, and all these teams are really good, but lack one thing or another to keep them from being an elite team, but in general, shaping up as maybe the best division in football this year.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I think the odds on favorite are the Steelers, although they've played some fairly shitty games so far this season, they are running on all cylinders, at least if they are at home. the schedule favors them heavily, so we have to beat them when they come here.

I think the NFL is living in the past as always. people in charge of ratings and shit are in a huge circle jerk imagining a Dallas vs Pittsburgh superbowl.

 

[bengaldoug]

it's almost a dice roll. 4 of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL

would be nice to see AJ Green and Eiffert healthy again.

And yet all four with winning records..........

 

[CrashDavisSports]

And yet all four with winning records..........

Steelers do not scare me as much as they usually do this year (still a very tough team though). However, the Browns scare me considerably more than they usually do.

Do we get the Browns before Gordon comes back?

 

[DanBengalfan]

Report: Josh Gordon can return to Browns after 10-game suspension - CBSSports.com

Report: Josh Gordon can return to Browns after 10-game suspension - CBSSports.com

long story short, @home vs no-gordon @cle vs with-gordon

 

[cincygrad]

Steelers do not scare me as much as they usually do this year (still a very tough team though). However, the Browns scare me considerably more than they usually do.

Do we get the Browns before Gordon comes back?

This guys scares me.

 

[bengaldoug]

This guys scares me.

He sits atop the PFF ratings for qbs this year. He is really hot right now, and when he's hot he tends to be really hard on the Bengals. He scares me too.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

With the looks of what that Steelers offense could potentially become, I'd say they are definitely the favorites at the moment. With that Bryant kid emerging next to Antonio Brown, and Big Ben playing the best ball of his career, I'd expect them to cut through our defense like a knife through butter.


FWIW, Ben threw for as many TDs in one game as Dalton has through 8 games..

 

[BKBroiler9000]

On a side note, as someone who has LeVeon Bell on their fantasy team, I eagerly await the two matchups with the Bengals. Should be fun trying to watch Maualuga, Peko and the other clowns in the middle of the defense try to fit that dude up.

 

[DanBengalfan]

On a side note, as someone who has LeVeon Bell on their fantasy team, I eagerly await the two matchups with the Bengals. Should be fun trying to watch Maualuga, Peko and the other clowns in the middle of the defense try to fit that dude up.

he's on my fantasy team too, so he's cursed.
expect him to go down any minute.

 

[DanBengalfan]

hopefully ben will come crashing back to reality.

 

[flamingrey]

With Pittsburgh's schedule, I think they have to be the favorites.

 

[futballiscool]

I'll go with the Bengals as the favorites as long as AJ Green is back soon. They beat the Ravens twice. The Steelers already have two lopsided losses within the division.

 

[DanBengalfan]

AJ should take the next game or two off.

how pointless would it be for him to aggravate the injury when we're playing winnable home games

 

[cincygrad]

AJ should take the next game or two off.

how pointless would it be for him to aggravate the injury when we're playing winnable home games

He should probably just skip Cleveland so he doesn't get embarrassed by Joe Haden again. I'm not sure what it is about the matchup, but Haden has made his career (and money) on performances against AJ. Our offense has sucked against Cleveland in the past..... Hopefully Hue can fix it.