TRG: Over/Under - AFC North

The AFC North is next in line. As has been the status quo for the past couple of years, Pittsburgh and Baltimore remain in dominant form at the top of this division, leaving Cleveland and Cincinnati with little chance for success. With both the Bengals and Browns starting young quarterbacks, I don't expect the status quo to change this year.

Ray Lewis hope to retire a champion.

Baltimore Ravens OVER 10.5 (3 units)
The Ravens have been having just as good an off-season as anybody. They drafted arguably the most talented corner in the draft, acquired a legitimate deep threat with Lee Evans, and took a good risk in free agency in attempting to bolster the o-line with Bryant McKinnie. While division rival Pittsburgh is always a tough matchup, the schedule isn't too daunting, as the AFC North gets the NFC West and AFC South this year. After finishing last season 12-4, I have similar expectation for the Ravens this season, and don't think they'll finish worse than 11-5.




Cincinnati Bengals UNDER 5.5 (4 units)

Dalton isn't a good bet to lead Cincy to an over this year.

This is the favorite under this year, and with good reason. The Bengals were crippled this off-season, losing talented corner Jonathan Joseph in free agency and are still without Carson Palmer, who is very unlikely to play this year. While other key players were retained, even coaches were upset about Cincy losing Joseph. The offense will feature two rookies starting in the skill positions, and the defense isn't likely to improve on their numbers (15th ranked in 2010). The Bengals will again be contending for a top draft pick at the end of the year; playing the NFC West won't save them. Take this under with confidence.


Cleveland Browns OVER 6.5 (1 unit)
Despite Colt McCoy's surprisingly good preseason, I still think the Browns have a long way to go. The offense still lacks legitimate weapons at wideout and I'm reserving judgement on McCoy until he sees some real action this year. The defense, ranked 22nd last year, may actually improve, but I don't think it will be enough to keep them in every game. The saving grace for Cleveland making the over this year may be the fact they face the NFC West, which is undoubtedly the worst division in football. Seeing as they get Cincy twice in addition to the NFC West, I think they've got an outside shot of getting to 7 wins. My gut tells me they'll be right at 6 or 7, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and put 1 unit on the over.


Pittsburgh Steelers OVER 10.5 (2 units)

It should be all smiles again in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh spent most of the off-season re-signing its own players, and that isn't a bad thing when you finished 12-4 the previous season. The Steelers enter this year with a healthy (though still far from top quality) offensive line and Ben Roethlisberger has the best collection of wide receivers to throw to thus far in his career. The schedule isn't too terribly difficult this year and only Baltimore poses any real threat to Pittsburgh within the division. I look for them to keep pace with Baltimore, just as they did last season, and expect an 11 to 13 win season from the Steelers. They've finished over 11 wins two times in the past three years.



TRG
@elaurinovics