Who Wins The AFCN "Honestly"

[*SHRacerX*]

(05-09-2022, 11:10 PM)Emeritus Wrote:

I just thought that it would be interesting to hear point of views after the draft and movement.

- I'd love to take my team but I'm taking the Steelers for some odd reason by a game to win the division over our Bengals. I think that we'll split outside of sweeping the Browns.

What ya think. I could see three teams making the playoffs out of the AFCN. OUR HEALTH WILL BE OUR BLESSING THIS SEASON.

People get overly hyped based on draft picks and their "potential", when in reality a draft pick that has an impact like Ja'Marr Chase is very rare.  To have two game (season) changing additions like Chase and Shooter is even more rare.  Keep that in mind when you look at the teams as how they shape up this year.

I think the biggest thread to the Bengals is the Ravens.  They simply have the most talent remaining from proven squad.  They added Bateman and Oweh last year.  Bateman flashed and will be relied on to do a lot more with their excellent TE group.  Oweh was damn good as a rookie and can be expected to take the next step this year.  Hamilton and Linderbaum project as immediate starters.  They will also be determined to prove they are better than what their injured squad showed last year.  That being said, there is a huge cloud hanging over them right now in terms of Lamar Jackson not signed beyond this current year is shocking.  The Ravens, unlike every other QB from that class or even close to the same age, chose to use the club-option 5th year of his rookie contract.  Jackson has been paid just under $10 million through the first four years, but stands to make $23 million this year.  

I feel bad for the guy (can't believe I'm saying that) as he seems to put his body on the line as a RB (but doesn't take a lot of shots somehow, but when he does get hit...well, he isn't a big guy at all) and they are paying him as a less than mid-tier QB.  I mean, Kirk Cousins has been paid over $25 million more than Jackson for each of his first four years.  That's not right.

Jackson is his own agent.  He and his mother do the contracts.  No agents.  I'm sure he has a problem with this contract situation, but unlike the whiny Kyler Murray (and others) he has kept quiet and is just going about his job.  I wonder if he thinks that if he comes out and sets the league on fire the first four games, the Ravens will offer an extension.  Either way, he will be out to prove himself.  

The Browns have some real talent, but also some significant holes.  They are the ultimate boom or bust team.  Their talent can click and they can beat the snot out of a team, or they can have an off day and their holes cost them a game.  Their QB situation isn't going to help matter.  Brisett is a good dude, and can hand the ball off and run around a bit, but won't be airing it out for 300 yards in this division.  It appears the league really threw them a nice launch pad on the schedule by having their easiest games early, while Watson is likely out for suspension.  The big risk for the Browns is that if they don't come out and win most of those games with Brisett, they will be up the proverbial creek. 

The steelers live on the reputation of their defense and their coach.  However, their defense has a ton of old guys, some big holes, and has the issue of defending with an offense that is unlikely to build a ton of leads.  Tomlin has the "never been below .500" on the front page of his resume, but those teams had a lot of years with four wins coming against weak Cleveland and Cincinnati clubs.  Sad, but true.  That time is over, and their time as contenders is done.  I see them as a 6 win team.  

The Bengals are not the clear favorites in the division for one reason:  history.  Most teams that have lost the Super Bowl don't have great seasons the following year.  They also don't have a reputation of being a traditionally strong team.  Both of those narratives end this year.  

If you go back to the team that lost at Chicago.  They were keeping Burrow so "sheltered".  The offense was pathetic and the defense was just starting to figure itself out.  The offensive line was awful, and Hopkins, while being out there itself was admirable after the recent injury, was a shell of himself.  The defense was adjusting to life (again) without Waynes and Apple was struggling early on.

That being said, down the stretch the offense rolled.  Even with a pathetic Prince at RT.  They were still not good at rushing the ball, but Burrow could lead this offense and put up the points.  The defense was even better.  They, along with Shooter, were the main reason for making the Super Bowl.  

Fast forward to 2022.  THREE new massive upgrades on the offensive line.  An average improvement of 20 points, according to PFF, over their predecessors.  A former first round TE to help ease the pain of losing CJ Uzomah.  A great draft with depth and speed in the secondary, a guy to compete at 3T, and the return of Ossai to help rush the passer.  

While all the other teams in the AFC North are asking different questions about their QB situation, the Bengals are asking who will win the starting role at LG.  The HC, OC, DC, and ST coach are all back.  Burrow will have his first offseason that is somewhat "normal" compared to the COVID rookie offseason and the rehab offseason a year ago.  While it will sound like a homer pick, I think the Bengals are the class of the AFC North.  

I see it as follows:

Bengals 11-6
Ravens 9-8
Browns 9-8
Steelers 6-11