04-04-2016, 12:16 PM
There's far more reason for optimism than pessimism. What AFC team (aside from the everlasting Patriots) looks better than the Bengals right now?
The Raiders went 7-9 last year, including 3-6 over their last 9. Sure they have some promising talent, but they're a couple good drafts away from being an AFC power. The Broncos are going to have Sanchez and maybe Kaep at QB. Sure, they won the SB with mediocre QB play last year, but the odds of them being that good (without a good QB) again seem slim to me. Rivers was never the problem with the Chargers. They have no defense and Melvin Gordon looked like a bust (641 yards, 3.5 ypc, 6 fumbles).
I went in depth on all the Ravens problems in a different thread. The Steelers are only relevant thanks to 3 players: Ben, Antonio and LeVeon. They lost Bryant (765 yards + 6 TDs in '15), Heath (535 yards + 2 TDs) and Bell is questionable to start the season. Their defense is abysmal. Ben has only played 3 complete seasons in 12 years. Even the Patriots have questions. You have to wonder when Brady is going to take a Peyton-like nose dive. He's 39 years old and due to fall off at any time.
The Bengals are just the most complete team in the AFC. They have a top notch QB, weapons, lines, and defense. What other team can say ALL of that?
The Raiders went 7-9 last year, including 3-6 over their last 9. Sure they have some promising talent, but they're a couple good drafts away from being an AFC power. The Broncos are going to have Sanchez and maybe Kaep at QB. Sure, they won the SB with mediocre QB play last year, but the odds of them being that good (without a good QB) again seem slim to me. Rivers was never the problem with the Chargers. They have no defense and Melvin Gordon looked like a bust (641 yards, 3.5 ypc, 6 fumbles).
I went in depth on all the Ravens problems in a different thread. The Steelers are only relevant thanks to 3 players: Ben, Antonio and LeVeon. They lost Bryant (765 yards + 6 TDs in '15), Heath (535 yards + 2 TDs) and Bell is questionable to start the season. Their defense is abysmal. Ben has only played 3 complete seasons in 12 years. Even the Patriots have questions. You have to wonder when Brady is going to take a Peyton-like nose dive. He's 39 years old and due to fall off at any time.
The Bengals are just the most complete team in the AFC. They have a top notch QB, weapons, lines, and defense. What other team can say ALL of that?
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
