Being my first ‘Division’ prediction, ever, I figured I might as well do one for the division I know most about! The AFC North is usually an entertaining and exciting division. The matches are played well, and are usually close. Rivalry is fierce and the bouts are relentless. It’s always difficult predicting without seeing the four pre-season matches, but I’m going to give it a go.

Baltimore Ravens

I’ll try not to be too biased here. We’ve significantly strengthened this off-season, both in the draft and trades. Our offensive line is still as strong, our running game still has a 3-man attack and our defence is still a no-nonsense, hard-hitting gang with additions of massive monster players who I really look forward to seeing in purple (Sergio Kindle and Mount Cody). Joe Flacco will be the one to watch this coming season. He has more weapons than he has ever had, so in my opinion it is make or break for him. If, after this season, our passing game hasn’t improved then I think we need to analyse why that is. With Derek Mason, Anquan Boldin, Todd Heap, Ray Rice and Donte’ Stallworth to throw to we should be putting up big numbers. It’s an exciting time in Baltimore. We’re looking not only for the Divisional Title, but the Superbowl too.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals played some good football last season. I was impressed. Carson Palmer is an amazing quarterback on his day and I look forward to seeing him again this term. He has the added weapon of Antonio Bryant, which I think is a superb pick up for the Bengals. They also grabbed Jermaine Gresham in the draft, a definite prospect and one who could go straight into the starting line-up. They haven’t exactly weakened over the off-season so I’m expecting much of the same from the Bengals. They’ll prove a worthy foe

Cleveland Browns

The Browns started off the season as expected last term. They didn’t impress anybody. Harsh, but true. Nobody (except me it seems) predicted them to win any games towards the end of last season, but they seemed to settle and looked more established. Brady Quinn is released, Jake Delhomme comes in. Puzzling really. I always thought Quinn had potential. Colt McCoy is a good move in the draft though. He’s young and hungry, and could well find himself playing a part this season. I think I’d trust the rookie over Delhomme any day of the week!
Ben Watson comes in at tight end too. I think he will be a solid option on offence and I always did like him at New England. They have improved defensively and I’m looking forward to seeing Joe Haden playing. That said, I don’t think they have made the moves to rise up in the division and I still feel the other three teams are stronger.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaaah, the Steelers. I won’t say anything about the off-field issues; instead I’ll just get to the point. Santonio Holmes has left for pastures new (Jets) leaving Mike Wallace to fill the void he has left. Wallace did show signs of being a good target, but whether he can be as reliable as Holmes remains to be seen. Big Ben definitely misses the first 4 matches of the season, possibly first 6. A massive blow for the Steelers. Their star quarterback and one of their big receiving targets missing. For this reason I don’t think that Pittsburgh will be contending for the AFC North title. They have weakened whereas others have strengthened and it will be their downfall this season.

Predictions (made 14th June 2010)

Image Credit: Alan Bowser

The former Steeler saw his playing time diminish in the 2009 season as injury and Rashad Mendenhall took their tool. Can he still contribute? My feeling is yes, in a supporting role. But he’s (another) back on the team that won’t be in his 20s by the time the season ends. But you’d have to think that between them Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker have something to bring to the party.

All the news, player feedback and comments coming out of the Redskins’ camp are positive and there’s a real feeling that the team is heading in the right direction from an organisation point of view. Let’s hope that they can bring that to the field when the time comes.

I’m still waiting for the draft, where there’s a real feeling that the ‘Skins will offer the first unknown at #4… we’ll see.

Image Credit: charness

Dallas Cowboys
The new standing room tickets did not go down well with fans at the new Cowboys stadium.  Many fans could not see the field and some left during the game.

Standing tickets have been removed from many grounds due to the problems that they can cause.  It will be interesting to see how the organisation handles the situation.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Safety Tyrone Carter is expected to be recovered enough to play on Sunday against Cincinnati.  Carter is standing in for Troy Polamalu.

Victory may have come at a cost though, with Troy Polamalu suffering a sprain to his left MCL. Scans are still underway, but he could miss up to 6 weeks. We’ll keep you posted. Before he left, he’d been playing an amazing game. Between closing on Chris Johnson to take him down for a loss to a one-handed interception he was all over the place making plays. If he is out for any serious time, he’ll be missed but the Steelers still have a solid defensive unit.

Oakland Raiders
With Richard Seymour still not showing up in Oakland, they’ve taken William Joseph back on the books. Joseph had been released to create space for Seymour earlier this week. With just a few days until their game with the visiting Chargers, even if he did show up now it’s not known how much of a difference he’d make, or indeed how well he’d be received by him team-mates. Perhaps he thinks the whole deal is a bad dream, and he’s trying to sleep it off? Whatever is the case, he doesn’t seem to be handling the move in the right way. With neither the Pats or Raiders commenting, we assume that it’s haggling of some kind and hope that nothing has happened to him.

Interestingly, Coach Tom Cable let Joseph know that he might still be needed when the DT was released.

“The day they let me go, they released me, coach Cable said, ‘Don’t go nowhere’, I was just around, sticking around, seeing what was going to happen.”

Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but whatever reason Cable thought “Don’t go nowhere” was worth saying last sunday.

Arizona Cardinals
Receiver Anquan Boldin sat out practice yesterday with a sore hamstring and may not be good to go on Sunday against divisional rivals the 49ers.

Whilst he’ll be missed, if there’s one team spoiled at receiver it’s the Cardinals. Don’t expect the gameplan to change either way.

These are based on what we’ve been watching, what we’ve been following, some blind faith and our guts. These are are our predictions for the 12 post-season teams of the 2009 season.

This topic and tables will be locked and not edited once it is published. It will then be used for mocking, gloating, fighting (and probably crying) throughout the course of the season. We’ll come back to this every few weeks to carry out at least one of the above acts.

Andrew’s Predictions

NFC
If you’ve been following my First and Second look articles, then there shouldn’t be any surprises here.

In the NFC, I have the Giants topping the east. I’m hoping that the Redskins can surprise me here and edge a playoff spot, but I don’t really see it. In the west, I’m calling Seattle after a lot of deliberation. I’m also giving a wildcard spot to the Arizona Cardinals, in one of the divisions I’ve struggled with the most. The North is just as bad, I’m going with Green Bay. I’d really have liked longer to make a call on the Vikings’ prospects but here we are…

Finally from one of the hardest to one of the easiest: The Panthers to win in the south.

The final NFC wildcard is very tricky. It’s between the Falcons and the Eagles and as much as I hate to go against the Falcons, I can’t see the NFC East not sending at least two teams. So I’m going with the Eagles.

AFC
Things are easier in the AFC. A little bit, anyway – I see all four divisions as two-horse races

The Pats to take win the AFC East. I’m taking a gamble here (of a sort) that Brady is back to something like his best, but I’m confident with it. I see the Titans edging out the Colts in the south, though I’m putting the Colts in the wildcard mix and they can never be counted out.

The north will see the Ravens as winners, beating the Steelers into second – this will be a close division though. Finally the west will crown the Chargers, because… well, because there’s really no-one else there who can mount a serious challenge.

The wildcard spot is a three-way battle (sorry Denver) between the Steelers, Dolphins and Colts. Like last year, I see a valiant AFC East team being left out – the Steelers and the Colts going into the post-season. I’m sorry Graham, I don’t see the Dolphins there… but at least the ‘Skins won’t be there either!
I wish there was room for the Texans, but I don’t see it this year.

Graham on Andrew’s Predictions…
Not much to disagree with here (other than the Dolphins not making the play offs). I have gone with some different choices, but it is difficult to predict at this early stage.  It will be interesting to see what our readers think, I am sure there are a few who could beat us hands down.

[table id=11 /]

Graham’s Predictions

NFC
In the East I can see the Dallas Cowboys being bouyed by their new home and looking for a good season to overcome the tragic events at their practice facility. Can they beat the NY Giants in the NFC East? Well I don’t think so, but I do see them taking one of the wildcard spots.

Heading to the North I am going with the Green Bay Packers.  I also think the arrival of Jay Cutler at the Bears will bring some improvement, but not enough for a wildcard.

In the south I have to agree with Andrew on the Panthers.  I am hoping for a good season from Tampa Bay though as I am hoping for a great game at Wembley Stadium this year.  It is a Bucs’ home game so – sorry Pats fans – I will be supporting them.

Finally to the NFC West.  I am going with Arizona.  I am looking for some 49ers improvement this season and was tempted to pick them as my second wildcard, but I think it will be out of reach this time.

With the above in mind, my second wildcard pick goes to the Atlanta Falcons.

AFC
Starting in the East, I am going to upset Pats fans again here.  I would agree that Tom Brady is the best, but he is not Superman.  A year off will leave him hungry but maybe a bit rusty.  Miami will be looking to build on last years amazing improvement and now have a team strong enough to do even more damage.  Yes they have a tough schedule, but I still see them taking the AFC East again with the Pats in a wildcard spot.

In the North I am also going with the Ravens. I also think the South will be as Andrew predicted with the Titans winning and the Colts taking the second wildcard.

In the West the Raiders should storm it… only joking. Sadly I can see the Raiders taking the Lions’ place as also-rans this season, things seem far from settled in Oakland.  The Chargers should wrap the West up without too much trouble.

Andrew on Graham’s Predictions…
I think you’re letting your heart rule your head re: Miami and I think the Steelers won’t make the mistakes of a few years ago and will be in the post-season in some way.

I’m glad you’ve picked Atlanta though. I only just left them out

I have Dallas battling the Washington for 3rd place in the NFC East too, so I’m not sure about that. Otherwise it’s hard to argue with your picks. Like you said: I bet there are readers who could beat us. They should be writing these articles!

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Continuing with our Favourite Four series, we move back to the defence to take a look at the linebackers

We reiterate that these are some of our favourite players. We can’t vouch that these will be the best players in absolute terms, have the biggest fantasy football upside or even be any good (though they might be)… but they’re players that we like to watch.

Joey Porter of the Miami Dolphins is the first on our list.

It is very doubtful that Joey Porter would have made the list before the beginning of last season, but his amazing turnaround is the reason why he makes it on to my list for 2009.

A Super Bowl winner and four time Pro Bowl selection Porter is now coming to the twilight of his career.  He was a third round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1999 staying with them until 2007 when he joined the Miami Dolphins.

I have been thinking of ways to describe him, but I will simply say he was an animal last year!  Miami’s turnaround required every player to give their best, and Porter certainly gave it everything he had turning 2007′s 5.5 sacks into an incredible 17.5 in 2008. A season like that is hard to top, but he has proved to everyone that he can do it and will take that forward this year.

I am really looking forward to seeing him play again this season.  More of the animal please Joey, but on the field only.

Image Credit: paul.mcrae@rogers.com

In the QB battles…

Matthew Stafford struggled against Cleveland, being out-performed by Daunte Culpepper and also by Drew Stanton. On the other side of the field, Derek Anderson was given more attempts and moved the ball well but threw an interception. Brady Quinn only had a handful of attempts, so it’s hard to judge him.

So Culpepper moves in front in Detroit, but probably still too early to call in Cleveland yet.

The Indianapolis Colts did well against an under-strength Eagles. The question of how they’d adjust to the coaching changes seems to be being answered with “Just fine, thanks.”

Matt Cassel looked like a starter again against the Vikings, but most people were watching for another new QB: Brett Favre didn’t play much, but just seeing him in purple was strange. Tarvaris Jackson had a great game, and with rumours circulating that he could be released he reminded everyone out there that sometimes, he’s a decent option.

Elsewhere…

Miami looked good all around against the Carolina Panthers too. Our favourites Ronnie Brown and DeAngelo Williams both did well.

San Diego looked very good against the Cardinals, besting them on both sides of the ball. Of course it’s hard to read too much into these games, but our predictions looked true from this game. The same could apply to the Seahawks who also looked very nice against the Broncos. Kyle Orton looked better – a lot better – than he did last week. So did Jay Cutler in his Soldier Field debut.

The Redskins looked better, but still not great. The 17-13 win over the Steelers papers over the cracks a bit but still… no panic yet.

Chad Ochocinco is the star this week. The frankly bonkers receiver performed some kicking duties this week against the Patriots. He converted a PAT, and also kick-off that went at least a par distance. Watch it at nfl.com.

It’s great to see him enjoying himself.

Has anything changed?


Ben Roethlisberger has a civil suit hanging over his head, though by most reports he’s not let it affect him and has shown considerable poise in being the leader of the team.

Hines Ward is sitting out practice. Not, you might think, to save injuries to any defensive backs, but because he’s earned it and can be trusted to be in shape come the pre-season. With Santonio Holmes hoping to reproduce his post-season form in the pre-season, it falls to those two to lead the receivers with Nate Washington plying his trade in Tenessee now.

Along with Washington, Bryant McFadden and Larry Foote are also playing in new cities (Arizona and Detroit) which is going to need to see some adjustment on the defense. On the brightside, they still have Mactalksnfl favourite Troy Polamalu tearing up the backfield.

As with any defending champions, they start the season with nothing to prove yet everything to lose. After their last championship, they went a disappointing 8-8 but will surely have learnt lessons from that.

Baltimore Ravens' QB Joe Flacco lets one go

Joe Flacco will go into his sophomore season entrenched as starter and will look to build on his fantastic first season that took the Ravens deep into the post-season. With a little bit more protection, he can do great things as long as he keeps his form up. Something that is by no means certain for a second-year QB.

The Ravens second place finish last year means that they have potentially tricky matchups against the Colts and Patriots on their schedule this year (The Steelers have the Dolphins and Titans) those will be all games to watch to see how they’ll affect the division table here.

I was initially tough on the Bengals’ receivers, then I changed my tune and it’s one of the main things I’m looking out for from training camp. If healthy and productive, they could be a real threat as long as the running game backs them up.

If Andre Smith and the team can sort a contract out, he could be an immediate starter at tackle. The longer a deal isn’t in place is going to affect his gametime early in the season.

There have been a number of changes on the defense, but nothing that shouldn’t be able to be catered for. That said, I don’t like the look of this unit – they were weak in 2008 and could easily be weak again.

A big factor when considering their finishing spot is that the Bengals have four of their last five games on the road. This will be a tough run and if they’re still in contention at that stage it will be an important sequence of games. I feel they’ve improved since my First Look – certainly on offense – but am leaving them projected at third spot for now.

The rebuilding is well under way in Cleveland, with ex-Jet’s coach Eric Mangini making his mark. He’s also delved deeply into the roster from his old club in an attempt to improve the team across the board.

The big story here is Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn in the quarterback battle. You’d hope that it would be settled as soon as possible, but with both guys putting up similar numbers last season I wouldn’t be surprised to see them sharing time through the early part of the pre-season. My money is on Quinn at this point.

With so much happening with the team, they’re tough to get behind as contenders.

Summary
Like I said before, the crunch match is in week 16 when the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh in a match that will probably decide the division (assuming that one of them has not fallen apart by then).

I do like what’s coming out of Cincinnati, but not enough to bump them at this point. So it’s no change so far.

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Continuing our look at our favourite defensive backs, we take a look at the third player in our list.

We can’t vouch that these will be the best players in absolute terms, have the biggest fantasy upside or even be any good (though they might be)… but they’re players that we like to watch.

This time we look at Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu.

28 year old Polamalu will be looking to build on fantastic performances last season, which were topped off by a 5th Pro Bowl selection.  He also posted some very impressive stats with 7 sacks and 432 tackles.

Polamalu has been a permanent fixture in Pittsburgh after being selected in the 1st round of the 2003 draft. He was sure to get noticed too after giving it his all at USC which started with him playing both the safety and linebacker positions.

I don’t know if the hair helps him stand out, but he always seems like one of the hardest working players out there, and also the one I would least liked to be takled by!

Lets see him in action…

He has become a Father now too, and as we all know when you become a Dad, you become even more scary (oh and also become better at fixing things).  I  am looking forward to seeing what kind of an impact he has this year.

Interesting fact: Troy Polamalu has made the cover of Madden 2010.  Look out for the review here on Mac Talks NFL.

Previous favourite defensive backs:
Will Allen
Shawn Springs

I’ve not made many adjustments to my predictions elsewhere so far. Let’s see if there’s any changes here.

There had been mumblings and grumblings earlier in the off-season coming from key players related to the coaching changes and everything that entails. Now though, it all seems well. Peyton Manning has commented on some changes, but in either a positive or pragmatic way. This is still a team to watch for now, though we all expect them to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

Marvin Harrison has gone, so Manning will be looking at Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzales to produce. Last week I rewatched the Chargers V Colts wildcard and Gonzales had a great game. If he can play like that even half the time then he’ll do well.

On the other side of the ball, the line looks great and we can expect them to play havoc. In fact all across the defense, it’s a good unit.

I’m not seeing much I like with the Jaguars. At Quarterback it’s David Garrard and/or bust – he needs to play well and stay healthy or we can all see 5-11 happening again. Even assuming he is healthy and productive, the receiving core could be as weak as any other in the league. Of course, it could be one of the best, but with so many rookies coming in they’re an unknown quantity.

Maurice Jones-Drew... short, not small.

Maurice Jones-Drew is a class act at running back, and he’ll be backed up – I suspect – by a strong showing from Rashad Jennings.

Defensively there was not a great showing last year. Not awful in terms of points allowed, but not doing enough across the board. There haven’t been huge changes in personnel, so they’ll be looking at new coordinator Mel Tucker to makes changes and get the best out of who they’ve got.

I still like the Titans for the division. Kerry Collins can lead the offense, and is backed up by a grumbling Vince Young. Chris Johnson is not lacking in confidence and LenDale has shed some weight so will be spelling CJ when he needs.
Nate Washington comes into the receivers and is an instant starter. He was a good option and deep threat in Pittsburgh, and is an upgrade to this team.

Of course they will miss Haynesworth in defense, but there is enough depth to be a productive unit without him stuffing the middle of the line (something I hope he’ll reproduce in Washington!) and they’re solid in the secondary though like with so many teams there are questions about the depth at several positions.

The Texans are the sort of plucky underdog that you can’t help but root for. But looking a little closer they have some great players that can really make a difference: Steve Slaton had a great season in 2008 and will be looking to build on that. Matt Schaub, when healthy, can be trusted to produce and Andre Johnson was a stud at WR and is always a threat (and a good Fantasy Football option too).

I like a lot of the defense, and it’s remained largely static – a couple of battles to watch during camp.

Last year, the Texans twice put up 27 points against the Colts and were particularly unlucky in week 5 when the Colts came back from 17 points down in the last quarter. In fact, being only 2-4 in division hurt their final standings despite what could be considered a relatively good season for the new kids. If they can start stronger than last year (0-4, including 3 losses in-division) then we might have to take notice.

I think I was a bit harsh on them in my First Look, though I did suggest they could pip the Colts to second. I’m going to stand by that for now.

Summary
I’m leaving this one the same for now. Come pre-season, when we get to see Manning and what the Colts are up to and I might reconsider the first two places. For now though, I’ll take consistency over change.

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