2012 AFC North Preview

AFC North

Reviews are in order of Final Standings for 2011

1. Ravens (12-4): - For this Ravens team, last season's exit from the AFC Championship Game had to be very painful and costly. A dropped TD and a missed FG from going to the Super Bowl and now many feel as if this is their final year of "their window" for a Championship. Defensive future HOF's Ray Lewis and Ed Reed return for another season, but you have to think that their end of the road is coming soon. They lost another key defensive piece in Terrell Suggs, who tore his Achilles during the off-season and had a beak shot at returning this season. However, Quarterback Joe Flacco is ready to take the lead of this Ravens team that's looking to prepare for life after Lewis/Reed. But before all of that happens, this team is looking to make the best of their last chance. So the question for 2012: Will this Ravens team be in New Orleans on Feb. 3rd playing against the NFC Champs? 
2. Steelers (12-4): - The last 8 months has to put a bad taste in the Steelers mouths. Losing to a Broncos team that that should of beaten and not being able to play again until now, very frustrating for this team. With a new offense and a maturing WR corp could be good thing for Big Ben and this Steelers offense, who'll play a game without WR Hines Ward for the first time this entire century. Going into this season, the question is: Can the Big Ben adjust to the new offense ran by new Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley? Can the Steelers stay healthy for the long haul this season?
3. Bengals (9-7): - For a Bengals team that was "suppose" to be in rebuild mode, well that went project went by fast......very fast by NFL standards. This team made the playoffs, when most had them not even winning more then 6 games. That could be very dangerous for the other teams in this division once this team gets some experience under their belt. Out went Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, in comes Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Now with the extra year of "rebuilding" out the way, this team could be a serious threat in a year or so. But until then the question going into 2012: Can this Bengals team have the same or better record then last year and can they return to the playoffs in 2012?
4. Browns (4-12): - Well the Browns are just.....well the Browns. There season was bad, but they may have some hope the future. Drafting Trent Richardson from Alabama and Brandon Weeden from Oklahoma St. could be the two pieces this franchise needs to hopefully turn around this organization. Can Richardson have a great rookie season and get his team some more wins?

2012 AFC North Champion: Baltimore Ravens

BAL: (12-4)

PIT: (11-5)

CIN: (10-6)

CLE: (3-13)

4 Down - AFC Championship: Ravens vs Patriots

Ravens vs Patriots

• 1st Down: Joey Flacco, can he take the Ravens to the Super Bowl? - This game is a career-defining game for him. Flacco must play good for the Ravens to win this game. With the Patriots defense playing as badly as they are, Flacco has to and I mean has to exploit this defense for what it really is. 
• 2nd Down: Tom Brady vs Ravens Defense - Brady has historically struggled against this defense. This crew of players on the Ravens D are getting older and this could very well be their last chance at winning a Super Bowl. As for Brady, this could be his final 3 year run at another Super Bowl. Which force will outperform the other? We'll see on Sunday.
• 3rd Down: Ed Reed injury and criticism - Ed Reed harsh criticism or his ankle injury? Which one will be the big storyline heading into the game on Sunday? Well if you said the harsh criticism on his Quarterback Joe Flacco, then you're absolutely correct. But which one will have a lasting impact on this game? For the Ravens sake, they hope that the ankle injury isn't a factor in this game. We'll see.
• 4th Down: Each team will win if..... - Patriots: Keeping Brady upright, keep the Ravens Defense on the field for long drives and scoring early and often. Ravens: Putting Brady on his butt (hitting him often), Ray Rice running wild and Joe Flacco torches the Pats Defense.

Confidence Pick: Ravens

• QB: Flacco (3) vs Brady (1)
• Defense: Ravens (3) vs Patriots (4)
• Team: Ravens (1) vs Patriots (4)
• Ravens (7) vs Patriots (9)

My Pick: Ravens 31, Patriots 27

Recap: AFC Wild Card - Steelers vs Broncos

Steelers 23, Broncos 29 (OT)

Recapping my 4 Downs for the Steelers/Broncos game:

• 1st Down: Tebowmania vs Black & Gold Immorality of the Steelers: Well this game was the game of the weekend and if you don't believe in Tebowmania by now, I think you may to consider!!! Advantage: Tebow
• 2nd Down: Did Big Ben ankle hold up? Well he took some hit on that side of his leg, but Ben was hurting throughout this game. A healthier Ben would have had a field day against this team, But, as Chris Berman would say: "THAT'S WHY WE PLAY THE GAME!!!!" Advantage: Denver Defense
• 3rd Down: 4th Quarter Magic: Well the 4th Quarter belong to Big Ben, as he lead his Steelers back from being down 10 to start the quarter and had a chance to win the game, but after back-to-back sacks we went to Overtime in an NFL playoff for the first time since the Vikings/Saints in 2010. Now I should rephrase this to "Overtime Magic" because there was a lot of it in and it came fast. 11 seconds fast. Tim Tebow's 80-yard TD pass to Demaryius Thomas was the fastest play in OT in NFL history. Advantage and Game: Broncos
• 4th Down: Winner between these two teams in the postseason goes to the Super Bowl: Well this is held true 6 straight times in the playoffs. Why not a 7th, I mean only the Ravens and Patriots stand in their way. If the Broncos can pull that off......WOW. But then again, never underestimate the power of Mile High or  Tebow.........Advantage: Broncos

What's Next: Tebowmania will head east to Foxboro to face Mr. Brady and the Patriots on Saturday.

4 Downs - AFC Wild Card: Steelers vs Broncos

Steelers (12-4) vs Broncos (8-8)

• 1st Down: Tebowmania vs. Black & Gold Immortality of the Steelers. Can Tebow figure out the Steelers Defense, or will the Steel Certain put a punishment on Tebow and the Broncos? 
• 2nd Down: Big Ben's ankle - If Ben's ankle is fine, the Steelers Super Bowl chances are fine. However, if he's still limping on that ankle, this could pose problems.
• 3rd Down: 4th Quarter magic - Will we see another Mile High Miracle in these playoffs or will the Steelers dominate ways end all hope of another Tebow comeback?
• 4th Down: Winner goes to the Super Bowl? - Yes, in the last 5 times these two teams met in the playoffs, the winner has gone to the Super Bowl. We really don't make this stuff up and if you don't believe me then here's the years: 1977, 1978, 1990, 1997, and 2005. Weird huh? Yea and if history has its way, the AFC Champion will be decided on Sunday instead of 2 weeks from now. Could this be the 6th time? Stay Tuned!!

Confidence Pick: Steelers

• QB: Roethlisberger (1) vs Tebow (8)
• Defense: Steelers (1) vs Broncos (7)
• Overall Team: Steelers (2) vs Broncos (8)
• Steelers (4) vs Broncos (23)

My Pick: Steelers 28 vs Broncos 10

Wild Card Confidence Picks

This year I'll be doing confidence picks for the NFL Playoffs. This will help out with my predictions in who will win or at least what kind of game it will turn out to be. I am using the Mike and Mike format, when picking the confidence number. This format is simple: I'll use 3 categories (Overall Team, Quarterback, and Defense) and then I'll rank those categories by using the numbers 1-8 (1 being the most confident and 8 being the least confident). Of those 3 categories, I'll combine the total and get the confidence number. Remember, the lower the number wins for each game.

Quarterbacks:
1. Roethlisberger
2. Brees
3. Manning
4. Ryan
5. Stafford
6. Yates
7. Dalton
8. Tebow

Defense:
1. Steelers
2. Texans
3. Giants
4. Bengals
5. Lions
6. Saints
7. Broncos
8. Falcons

Overall Team:
1. Saints
2. Steelers
3. Texans
4. Falcons
5. Lions
6. Giants
7. Bengals
8. Broncos


Bengals (18) at Texans (11)

Lions (15) at Saints (9)

Falcons (16) at Giants (12)

Steelers (4) at Broncos (23)

Results of the confidence pick shows that the Texans, Saints, Giants and Steelers will win over the weekend. I actually agree with the confidence picks, although I believe that the Bengals have a great opportunity to steal a game in Houston.

Go West Young Man, Go West?

Week 15 could be the tell all for where the road to Indianapolis (Super Bowl) will go through. I'll focus a lot on the AFC (Since the Packers have the NFC locked down) and I'll look at 3 teams today who all will travel west of the Mississippi. In the AFC, four teams are 10-3, with the Texans leading the way through tie-breakers. But of those four teams, the Texans are the only ones that are at home and have clinched their division. The Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers all are on the road and all have huge games that could have meaning in the playoff race. 

Lets start with the big game of the weekend, Patriots at Broncos. This game could be huge, not because of the Tebow-ism that's taken over the league right now, but this game puts the 10-3 Pats against the 8-5 Broncos. This game could be for tie-breaking purposes as well as can the team of the decade beat the rising phenomenon named Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Could today be the "changing" of the guard? Over the last 10 years, the Pats have been the darlings of the NFL, but if "Tebow-ism" beat the Pats today, could all of that finally change? 

I'll get on that topic later, but the reason why I am doing this entry is because of the huge impact this game could deliver for this year's AFC postseason picture. If the Pats pull off this victory, many people would be happy because the Tebow-mania would subside for a week and for Pats fans this could put them closer to having home-field in the AFC. But, if the Broncos were to pull out the win, this could give them the AFC West title and at least position this team for a possible run at the #1 or #2 seed in the AFC. Which leads me into the next AFC game.

Ravens at Chargers tonight could be a huge test for a Ravens team that's trying to make themselves the #1 top dog in the AFC. Ravens may have exercise their demons in the Steelers this season (winning the season series between the two) but seem to have mental breakdowns against teams they have NO business losing too (i.e. Jaguars, Seahawks and Titans). The Ravens don't want to repeat the last trip they made to the west-coast. As for the Chargers, making late season runs is their MO. However, this could be the final nail in the coffin that's known as the 2011 NFL season. The Chargers would have to win out and get help in order to make the playoffs, but winning their last two game is a good symbol for this team that's use to winning in the month of December.

If the Ravens can hang on the win this game, this would pretty much give the Ravens at least the #2 seed in the AFC and would very much wrap up the AFC North (with the Browns and Bengals left on their schedule). If the Chargers win, this would extend their other-wise not so good season by another week. Noteworthy to the Raven faithful, WIN THIS GAME TONIGHT!!!! Put the pressure on the Steelers!!! Which leads me to the final game of week 15.

Steelers at 49ers, this game has HUGE meaning on both teams who are in heated races within their respective conferences. This hurdle for the Steelers could be a tough one, being without the suspended James Harrison and having Big Ben injured and questionable to play in this game, the Steelers have to play the 49ers short-handed. As for the 49ers, who lost to the other AFC North top dog the Ravens a few weeks ago, will play a similar team in the Steelers. 

If the Steelers win this game, two things could happen: 1.) they could be leading the AFC North (if Ravens lose) or 2.) they could have locked down the #5 seed as a wild-card. The Steelers will go into Monday Night knowing the results of both the Pats, Ravens, and Texans games. If the 49ers win this game, this could lock down the #2 seed in the NFC and thus the 49ers would have two weeks plus a bye week to prepare for their first playoff game in 9 years.

So lets just say that the Super Bowl picture could be settled in the Wild, Wild West this week. Well I had to use something for the theme "Go West Young Man, Go West". We'll see what happens. Destination Super Bowl!!!!

This Week's Top 5

Top 5 Stories of the Week:

This is a brief one this week, since I'll be on vacation all weekend.

1. LSU vs Alabama: In this corner, we have the #1 team in the country with a "Crazy-like a fox" Head Coach.....from Baton Rouge, LA the Bayou Bengals, Geaux Tigers, The LSU Tigers! And in this corner, we have the #2 team in the country with a "Very demanding, strict and detailed" Head Coach......from Tuscloosa, AL, Rooooooollllllllllll-Tide, The Alabama Crimson Tide! Okay maybe I over did it with the "Michael Buffer" intros, but this is like a heavyweight match-up in the eyes of college football. 

2. Ravens vs Steelers: Just to simply put it, these two teams just don't like each other. Just for the record, I don't think you'll see any of those guys holding hands, singing Kumbaya anytime soon!

3. NFL Mid-season review: This week marks the mid-way point of the season.

4. Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Could this "fight of the century" finally happen? 

5. NBA Lockout continues: From the people of the " Please Please Please, stop the lockout" foundation (no such organization)

This Week's Top 5

Top 5 sports stories of the week:

1.) Tebow: Yes Tim Tebow. Me personality I think this all too much of nothing, but for the people out there in Bronco Land this is the story of the year so far. Okay maybe not...... But for those who say that Tebow shouldn't be out may be right. If you watched the first 55 minutes of the Broncos/Dolphins game and the ones who's on Team Tebow look at the end result of that game, A WIN. Yes Tebow did in fact win the game, but if you're looking at it in between the lines then you would suggest that the Dolphins simply blew it.

2.) World Series: Baseball isn't the most popular sport among the "new-aged" sports fans, but even those new fans have to LOVE this year's World Series.....right?? As we approach GAME 7 *pause* we look at the ending of the 2011 season. Texas is trying to win its first ever championship and the Cardinals are just glad to in the post-season and looking to win for the first time since 2005. Keep in mind that the Cardinals only got into the post-season because the Atlanta Braves choked up on something......This series has been noted as being one of the best World Series played as to date. Now I wouldn't be a prisoner of the moment right now, I've seen great World Series in 1991 Braves vs Twins (YES THAT'S A HOMER PICK), 1993 Phillies vs Blue Jays, 1997 Indians vs Marlins, 2001 Yankees vs Diamondbacks. Does the 2011 World Series live up to those World Series as to date?? Only History will tell......and the ratings of course.

3.) Top 3 games of Week 8: Well I've already done my picks for Week 8 (see last blog). But I think that these 3 games are worth mentioning for game of the week:

New England vs. Pittsburgh

The last 7 games, the Patriots have DOMINATED the Steel Curtain beating them 6 of 7 times, including a few playoff wins (notably at Hines Field). 

Dallas vs Philadelphia

This could very well be the setting for what could be the winner of the NFC East division. These two teams will end the season in Dallas, but this game could be the early barometer for who has control of the NFC East. With Washington (Injuries and Rex  not being "Our" quarterback) and the New York Giants just not being able to stay consistent and seize the opportunity a few weeks ago to take control of this division, it leaves this game as the game that could very well decided the champion (Even though it is Week 8).

San Diego vs Kansas City

A month ago, this game would not have had the worthy of being mentioned as a game I would be looking forward too. Well since the Chiefs last lost (Against the Chargers in Week 3), they've won 3 straight games and have pretty much played themselves back into contention for the AFC West. Arrowhead stadium has historically been a very tough place to play and for the Chargers this could very well put their whole season to test. San Diego, who normally would begin it's late-season charge from having a "bad start" are 4-2. Their death-grip of sort they had on this division could be slipping away, especially if the Chiefs put out this Trick or Treat edition of this rivalry. Interesting game, can the Chiefs make that late season push to the playoffs or will the Chargers make this "business as usual" and take command of this series???

4.) BCS Rankings: Well with the top 2 ranked teams on idle this week (Armageddon in Tuscaloosa next Saturday), LSU and Alabama could play in the first BCS knockout game since 2006 with Michigan and Ohio State. What I mean by that is that whoever loses this game, will pretty much be knocked out of any contention for the BCS Title Game. Interesting to see what the "Mad-Hatter" (Coach Miles) and Satan (Coach Saban) will have for this game. I predict that this game will be GREAT. I'll give you my picks next week. But a few noteworthy games this week includes:Baylor vs Oklahoma State, Clemson vs Georgia Tech, and Georgia vs Florida. This weekend's game will be the positioning games for teams hoping for that #2 spot after the Armageddon game next Saturday.

5.) NBA Lockout: Well what a difference a healthy commissioner and week makes. Last week all hell broke lose, as NBA Commissioner David Stern put it. Keep in mind that Stern was sick last week and did not attend the meetings, thus negotiations breaking down and the whole league almost went down with it. This week, as late as Wednesday, the two sides got back together again and are supposedly on the brink of having a new CBA agreed on and saving what could of been a short 2011-12 season. What looked to be a looooonnnnggggg lockout, might end soon. I would say that's a HUGE win for the NBA's popularity in America, considering that the Lockout in 98-99 didn't do much justice. I believe that the league is somewhat STILL recovering from that lockout, so to have another one isn't much help for the NBA. They got a lot of "making-up" to do and the earlier they get to it, the better.