Parity in the NFL? 2015 NFL Playoff Predictions: AFC
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AFC North Predictions: Baltimore Ravens – Division Champions
The AFC North is a highly competitive division and can also be hard to judge at times. I admittedly had a tough time deciding between two teams on this one, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
In the end I’m giving the edge to the Ravens simply because I feel their defense is far superior to the once fabled Steel Curtain.
Both teams have a good choice of weapons on offense and two big quarterbacks, both of whom have won the big game before. I love watching these two teams play each other twice a year as it is slowly developing into one of the better rivalries on the 21st century.
As far as the Ravens defense goes, they seem to be on the up-n-up once again. Head coach John Harbaugh and team general manager have done a considerable job rebuilding this unit just years after seeing it ravaged by father time.
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I am a bit leery of their pass defense at this point, but I’m far more worried about the Steelers D as a whole.
As usual, I expect to see Andy Dalton, Marvin Lewis and company to be hanging around the .500 mark come December. The Cincinnati Bengals do have a very well-rounded team, but I think they will struggle with mediocrity once again on 2015.
Then there is the Cleveland Browns. And what a mess they are.
Just one year after trading up to draft boy wonder, Johnny Manziel, the team has been rumored as ready to move on. Its been speculated that they would prefer someone who game play a “game management” type role, and the team even went out and signed Josh McCown in the offseason.
Whether the rumors of the team being fed up with Johnny Football are true or not, you still have to wonder how a team sees McCown as an upgrade over Ohio native, Brain Hoyer?
AFC North Predicted Standings:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Wildcard*
- Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns- Cleveland Browns
Next: AFC West