NFL's toughest division has big changes, challenge ahead

[Arkansas Bengal]

NFL's toughest division has big changes, challenge ahead

By JOE KAY (AP Sports Writer) 5 hours ago AP - Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Anytime there's a debate about the NFL's toughest division, teams in the AFC North are quick to point out the playoff appearances.

Yep. Nobody can top them.

The AFC North has sent more teams to the playoffs than any other division in the last seven years - 15 in all. Last season, the Stealers won the division at 11-5, and Cincinnati (10-5-1) and Baltimore (10-6) got wild cards.

And that's pretty much the norm.

During the last seven years, the North has sent at least two teams to the playoffs six times. It got three teams into the postseason in 2011 and again last season. For overall excellence, it's tough to argue with those figures.

''You see the difference when we play other teams in other divisions,'' Bengals receiver Marvin Jones said. ''It's definitely not as hard as our division and the games we play. When you play outside our division, you see how much easier it is to have some success.''

There are some notable changes this time around, especially in Pittsburgh, where defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and safety Troy Polamalu are gone, and Michael Vick is in town as a backup quarterback.

Here's a look at the AFC North:

ANOTHER THREE-PEAT?: The division got three teams into the playoffs last season in part because of the scheduling rotation. It played the NFC South, which was one of the worst divisions in NFL history; no team had a winning record. It also got to play the AFC South with Jacksonville (3-13) and Tennessee (2-14).

The North went 12-3-1 against the NFC South and 10-6 against the AFC South. This year, it plays the West divisions, meaning it will be tougher to get enough wins to qualify as a wild card.

RAVENS RELOAD: Baltimore was the only AFC North team to win a playoff game last season, beating the Stealers before blowing a 14-point lead and losing to eventual Super Bowl champion New England. The Ravens set franchise records for points and yards last season. Receiver Steve Smith, playing his final season, is Joe Flacco's top target with Torrey Smith gone to San Francisco. There's no Ray Rice controversy hanging over the team this year.

''Overall, I think we've got a lot to build off of and a lot to feel good about,'' Flacco said.

CURTAINS FOR THE Stealers' DEFENSE: LeBeau, Polamalu, cornerback Ike Taylor and end Brett Keisel are gone from a defense that slipped last season. The offense finished No. 2 in the league and should be one of its best again, even with center Maurkice Pouncey sidelined by a broken ankle. Vick was brought in as Ben Roethlisberger's backup after Bruce Gradkowski suffered a hand injury. Receiver Antonio Brown is an All-Pro.

But in Pittsburgh, it always comes down to defense, and this one has a lot to prove.

After the defense struggled during a preseason loss to Buffalo, coach Mike Tomlin said: ''We continue to be slow starters and that's disturbing. Some of those guys, quite frankly, look like the walking dead.''

GET BACK TO THE BENGALS AT PLAYOFF TIME: No other team has its reputation tied to one game as much as Cincinnati. The Bengals have reached the playoffs each of the last four seasons and lost the opening game each time. They haven't won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the sixth-longest streak of postseason futility in NFL history. They've invested a lot of money in keeping the team intact during that four-year run, but many contracts are up after this season, making it one of those crossroads moments.

''It's been four years in a row and I think if it doesn't happen this year, then it's probably never going to happen,'' running back Jeremy Hill said. ''Getting to the playoffs every year, that's cool and all, but we want to get to the next level. I think it's now or never.''

ANNUAL QUESTION: WHO'S THE CLEVELAND QB?: The Browns' failed quest for a long-term quarterback turned to Johnny Manziel last year, and he struggled as a rookie and went into a rehab program. A sore elbow limited him during training camp, leaving his status uncertain. Josh McCown is the starter, but he's a short-term fix. Cleveland has gone 4-12, 5-11, 5-11, 4-12, 5-11, 4-12 and 7-9 the last seven seasons with more change than success. Owner Jimmy Haslam has had three head coaches and general managers since taking over the team in 2012, but he now says it's time to stay the course for a while.

''We're not going to blow things up, OK?'' Haslam said during training camp. ''I think we are on the right track and not blow things up.''

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: Ravens, Stealers, Bengals, Browns.

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http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfls-toughest-division-big-changes-challenge-ahead-070239229--nfl.html

[HairOnFire]

Big picture stuff?

I think the key to the Bengals season is getting off to a fast start, something Marvin Lewis teams have done in the past. The schedule is tough and whatever team gets off to the hottest start will put enormous pressure on its rivals to catch up. Bengals need to be that team.

 Ravens reloading is a familiar storyline, but I think they lost more than they gained. Not saying they'll fall, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them slip.

Stealers have made deep changes on defense and will likely suffer growing pains even if they get it right. And there's no guarantee they will. On the defensive line they've switched from a 1-gap to 2-gap scheme. At LB they now have to pay premium 1st round prices to man positions that in the past were filled with mid round discoveries. And they're already a bit thin in the secondary. There's plenty of talent to mold but how quickly does it take shape?

I used to joke about the Browns being two years away from being two years away. Now I joke about them being two years away for two years in a row. That's progress. Team owner Hillbilly Haslam runs his team as if it were a truck stop, replacing coaches and front office staff so often it's as if they were minimum wage workers. Current HC Pettine is slowly building the foundation of a good team but he lacks a QB and by the time he finds one Hillbilly Haslem may be tempted to blow shit up again. That said, and on a more positive note, the Browns new practice squad jerseys look so good the team announced they'll wear them in actual games. That'll probably be enough for the fans in Cleveland. 

 

[BengalsFanFromNY]

Bengals miss the playoffs this year unless Dalton has a season similar or better than 2013.

[thezerawkid]

This team needs to get back to ground and pound as its identity. Jeremy Hill is a prototypical, traditional AFCN back, dare I say the only true one in the division. We also really look to have a great personnel, a solid, grinder offensive line, high quality tight ends, to make that offensive approach work. Part of the reason Gio's YPC are flagging has mainly to do with the fact that the offense simply isn't equipped to support his strengths.  A healthy does of Hill between and off tackles will lead to success elsewhere on offense. That includes whatever doesn't quite work right inside Dalton's head during the bigger profile games. Take the pressure off him at all cost...the defense always thanks an offense that can crank out 8-12 play drives.