AFC North

Beware of Dog

By Adam Barone

Defense and toughness in Pittsburgh and Baltimore will still dictate the direction of the AFC North, but the dog pound does have a few pups you’d actually take home. Don’t overlook the Browns in the coming season.
If your TV says anything about “Cincinnati Bengals,” however, either change the channel or cover your eyes immediately.

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): It’s business as usual in Pittsburgh in 2011. Run the ball, execute and knock somebody’s teeth out.
Everything revolves around the defense, which paced the NFL in points allowed and versus the run in ‘10, while ranking 12th against the pass. Impressively, the Steelers surrendered just 33.5% conversions on 3rd down, good for third in the league, while allowing just 16 red zone touchdowns—second overall.
The offense was steady and consistent last season, paced by Rashard Mendenhall, who rushed for nearly 1,300 yards with 13 scores. He’ll carry the team on his back again in ‘11.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw only five interceptions last season and led the Steelers to an impressive sixth-best 3rd down conversion percentage of 43.1. That sort of consistency makes the Steelers a title contender once again this coming season.

Baltimore Ravens (10-6): Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco’s numbers have increased for three straight seasons, and his chemistry with stud receiver Anquan Boldin figures to build in ‘11. Long-time Ravens Todd Heap, Derrick Mason, LeRon McClain and Willis McGahee are all gone from the league’s 16th best scoring offense in ‘10 though, so someone will have to step up and fill the void.
Former Vikings Pro Bowl tackle Bryant McKinnie was signed to protect Flacco and should have a substantial impact on the offense.
Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith was added in the first round to reinforce the pass defense, which allowed an un-Raven-like 224.9 yards per game through the air a season ago. The run defense was dominant again though, finishing fifth with just 93.9 yards per game allowed.
Defense is still Baltimore’s strength, though the championship window is closing as Ray Lewis and Ed Reed age. Flacco will have to step up and prop it open.

Cleveland Browns (9-7): Don’t rush to judgment. The Browns aren’t especially sexy, but they have underrated talent and are gaining confidence.
Quarterback Colt McCoy threw for only six touchdowns last season while the team averaged a dismal 16.9 points per game—better than only Carolina. However, beastly rusher Peyton Hillis and his 11 touchdowns are joined in the backfield this season by Montario Hardesty, a second-year back who lost all of ‘10 to injury. Hardesty is another big, bruising back who will help the Browns control tempo.
Quarterback Colt McCoy is a prototypical “game manager,” and will be charged with simply taking care of the football.
The defense was 13th in the league in ‘10, allowing 20.8 points per contest, and added 334 lb. former Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor. He’ll make the league’s 27th best rushing defense even more formidable.
Cleveland is still far behind both Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but limiting turnovers and improving on defense could make the Browns relevant.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-15): The Bengals enter the season without quarterback Carson Palmer and receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. Star cornerback Jonathan Joseph also left for Houston as a free agent.
Bengals fans are familiar with this particular neighborhood in football town. It’s being renovated and the homeless people are being herded elsewhere.
Stud rookie and former Georgia receiver A.J. Green, widely regarded as the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson, was selected in the first round to be the new star playmaker. Former TCU quarterback Andy Dalton, the team’s second round pick, figures to replace Palmer. Expect both to struggle mightily in the coming season.
Running back Cedric Benson was handed the pigskin 321 times last season, managing to top 1100 yards. The team ranked 27th overall in rushing with its more respectable former cast. A less respectable passing attack figures to make things more difficult for the ground attack.
Virtually nothing was done to improve the league’s 24th ranked scoring defense either, and Joseph was subtracted. This may soon be the new home of Andrew Luck.