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2012 AFC North Preview by TJ Pemberton
AFC North 2012 Preview
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were a field goal away from going to the Super Bowl last season. Running back Ray Rice gained 1,364 yards and had 15 touchdowns. Joe Flacco had an average season he completed only 54.2 percent of his passes and had a quarterback rating of 80.9. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin had 57 catches but only 3 for touchdowns. Torrey Smith was the deep threat he averaged 16.7 yards a catch. The offensive line had problems at times protecting the quarterback. The Baltimore defense was good once again finishing third in the NFL.
The loss of Terrell Suggs will hurt the defense in 2012 and Ed Reed and Ray Lewis are not getting any younger so the offense might have to carry more of the load in 2012. Joe Flacco has to improve on his 2011 season. Ray Rice might be the best back in the NFL. Baltimore will not finish 12-4 in 2012 but they will have enough to win the division and make another playoff appearance.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh finished 12-4 in 2012 but had to go on the road for their first playoff game and was upset by the Denver Broncos. The Steelers moved away from being a running team to a passing team, Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passed for 4,077 yards in 2011. Both wide receivers Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace had more than 1,000 yards receiving. Rashard Mendenhall gained 928 yards. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense finished first in the NFL.
Running back Rashard Mendenhall had reconstructive surgery and his return is uncertain. This will put more pressure on the Steelers passing game. The Pittsburgh defense will be good once again. The Steelers have the ability to win the AFC North especially with some of the question marks the Baltimore Ravens have.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were the surprise team in the AFC last season finishing 9-7. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and first year wide receiver AJ Green lead the Cincinnati offense. Dalton threw for 3,398 yards and Green had 65 receptions for 1,057 yards. The Bengals had problems running the ball up the middle. The Bengal defense finished 7th in the NFL. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins has developed into a Pro Bowl player.
Cincinnati faded a little down the stretch and was knocked out in the AFC Wild Card game. The Bengals could win this division but Dalton and Green must avoid the “Sophomore Slump.” New running back Ben Jarvus-Green Ellis will have to keep the defenses honest. Center Kyle Cook was injured in the preseason and both guards are inexperienced so the middle of the offensive line could have problems early. The defense will be good again and the pass rush will be improved over 2011. If Cincinnati gets some breaks they could win the AFC North.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland had another poor season as they finished 4-12. New coach Pat Shurmur showed his inexperience at times in 2011. The offense finished 29th in the NFL and just could not get a consistent running game. The Browns averaged only 3.7 yards a carry. Quarterback Colt McCoy had 2,733 yards passing and took some violent hits during the 2011 season. Rookie Greg Little had 61 receptions and only 2 touchdowns. The defense finished 10th and was tough against the run.
The Browns are going through another rebuilding season. They will have a rookie quarterback in Brandon Weeden and a rookie running back in Trent Richardson. The defense took a hit when starting cornerback Joe Haden was suspended for four games. The 2012 season will be a repeat of the 2011 season. The defense will be solid and the offense will be bad once again. Also there will be 15 rookies on the opening day roster for the Browns so expect a lot of mistakes. There is a new owner in Cleveland and this could be the last year for Shurmur and the GM Mike Holmgren.
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