2010 AFC North NFL Predictions

Baltimore Ravens- I am calling for a step back from the Ravens 13 win season last year to a more modest 11-5 affair this year. Joe Flacco is entering year 3 and off a season where he tossed for 3600 hundred yards. He should get to 4,000 yards this year as the offense is that much better with the arrival of WRs Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth. OC Cam Cameron is turning RB Ray Rice into LT light. The defense is trying to get younger and it shows in a leaky secondary. The defense still ranked number 3 last year. A trendy Super Bowl pick for some, they face the Bengals new WR tandem in week 2.

Cincinnati Bengals- I am calling for a 10 win season out of the Bengals. The TO show arrives opposite of Ochocinco. Where will the huddle mic be located. QB Carson Palmer has 2 aging, but respect wide outs and a RB off a 1,000 yard season. Is Palmer ready to take a step into stardom. He looked flat at times last year. It will be an interesting year to say the least.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Can’t see the Steelers approaching 9 wins again. This team, even with the best LBs corp in the league will be a 7-9 team. Roethlisberger will be out at least 4 games. Those are against Atlanta, at Tennessee, at the Bucs and Baltimore. That will be a 1-3 start with Leftwich or Dixon leading this offense. This is not a vintage Steelers team and it will show with a losing season.

Cleveland Browns - The Browns showed no quit last year winning their last 4 games after a 7 game slide that left them 1-11. New GM Mike Holmgren had to see the fight from HC Mangini’s troops and figured he had to give the guy another year. Make no mistake, this coaching seat is red-hot. New signal caller Jake Delhomme looks to find the fountain of youth after an awful year in Carolina. This is still a tough division even with a down Pittsburgh team. A repeat of 6 wins will be a good sign for this team.