2007 AFC North Picks & Predictions


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

One of the best divisions in football and our 2007 AFC North predictions should help clear a few things up. It is going to be up for grabs this year with the Steelers coming off their Super Bowl hangover, the Bengals hoping to return to where they were a couple of years ago, and the Ravens looking dominate in making the conference semi-finals a year ago. The only thing really certain about this division is that the Browns aren’t going to be competing any time soon.

First Place – 2007 Baltimore Ravens Predictions – Last year the Ravens looked dominate at times. The offense finally got the spark it was looking for with Steve McNair leading more than his fair share of fourth quarter comebacks. He’ll get some help this year with the running game upgrading to Willis McGahee from Jamal Lewis. The receiving corps is set with Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason, making this an offense to reckon with. The defense is still where the team has most of it’s teeth though, with a great secondary and and group of linebackers. The line doesn’t have any slouches on it either. Baltimore knows this is their last chance with so many players aging. This team will be hungry.

Second Place – 2007 Cincinnati Bengals Predictions – The Bengals are going to try to make headlines on the field this season instead of off it. In order to do that they are going to need solid play out of Carson Palmer, which they always seem to get, and the stable of talented receivers. Rudi Johnson has been dependable running the ball, but how good can this team be if the defense doesn’t hold up. Cincy can create turnovers and make big plays, but they are going to need solid play out of the linebacker spot with David Pollack and Odell Thurman most likely out for the year.

Third Place – 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions – Mike Timlin takes over for Bill Cowher and is hoping to rejuvenate a team that got caught up in the hoopla a year ago. Big Ben needs to rebound from last year’s up-and-down season to look more like he did in 2005. Willie Parker is able to slash his way through defenses, and the receivers are set. The Steelers are going to stick with the 3-4 this year, as all of their personnel are fitted for it. The line is the best unit on the defense and will help keep the team in games. They’ll need to replace Joey Porter in order to compete with the best in this division.

Fourth Place – 2007 Cleveland Browns Predictions – The Browns did well in the draft to get Brady Quinn and Joe Thomas and they brought in Eric Steinbach and Jamal Lewis. All of these changes should bring a mix of short-term and long-term success, but on a team that went 4-12 last season it probably won’t be enough to get them out of the basement of the division. This team has changed the faces on their squad more than any other in the NFL, and they haven’t had a lot to show for it. We expect this to be the last year of the Romeo Crennel tenure in Cleveland, as the Browns finish below the meat of the division.

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