AFC NORTH DIVISION PREDICTIONS

[Smashmouth225]

Steelers-11-5 AFC North champs; IMO too much talent on both sides of the ball for another 8-8 year.

Ravens-9-7- Wild card @ best; last year should have been their year. I don't think Mcnair stays healthy all year. Good team but for some reason i don't think this team is as scary as the media makes them out to be.

Bengals-8-8- This team will miss Chris Henry believe that. Defense didn't improve plus too many knuckleheads who can't stay out of trouble on this team.

Browns-5-11-You already know. Talent in some areas but this team as a whole is mediocre.

[OneForTheToe]

Ratbirds - 11-5. -- Not as good as last season, but still a good team. Ravens still best D in division. As long as McNair is healthy, they can score just enough. The Ravens have some players getting long in the tooth, so if they are going to make a run, it has to be this year and maybe next. Also, unfortunately, until the Steelers prove they can handle that D the Ravens have all the confidence in the world against us..

Steelers - 10-6 --We will rebound well this year. I expect Ben to play much better. Willie will be Willie, which is good. The D will be strong. The biggest questions are the meshing of the new coaches and the play of the O'line. The Steelers have the second best D (and probably offense) in the division. A wildcard birth is the likely result, and I think we should win some once we get in the playoffs. Remember, while the coaching staff is new, there are players on this team that know what it takes to win in the playoffs -- including the starting QB.

The only reasons I am not predicting a better record is the aforementioed new coaching situation and the fact that I think the Steelers schedule is tougher than many here seem to think. Teams like Buffalo and San Fran are not likely to be the pushovers they once were.

Bungles -- 9-7--The best offense in the division (at least on work release). Still, the D is uninspiring. Also, with all the other distractions, I'm thinking (thankfully) there will be no major rebound for this team. Outside chance of wildcard.

Brownies 4-12.-- Hey, I predicted that three teams in our division would have winning records; someone has to pay the price. The Browns did have the potential for a decent draft, but even if that draft does prove to be fruitful, they are a few years (and maybe a coach) away. The D will still be pores. Even if the Browns are better, I'd be surprised if they could win a game in the division. That pretty much puts them behind the 8 ball from the start. So sad, I am not.

[SteelersMongol]

Nicely done you guys. As for me I don't wanna say anything or give any numbers for this year. I don't even know as much as half of you guys and haven't looked at the divisional opponents' schedules yet. Last year I said we're gonna be 12-4 and ended up with dissappointing 8-8. Though all I'm gonna say is it's between the Ratbirds and us. That's it. I'm not gonna say anything about the Clowns and the Bungholes aren't gonna be any trouble for us (as 2005 season was their one lucky season). I'm optimistic and it won't be changed even after 8-8 season. We'll kick some Ratbirds a$$. 2007, here we come.

[ChronoCross]

1. Steelers - 12-4 - Big Rebound
2. Ratbirds - 10-6 - Defense took a hit and is getting older, Mcgahee behind a line that has taking hits and heck they only avg what just a little over 80 yards a game as it was so with Mcgahee they might get what 84 yards a game since McGahee is only a .2 ypg avg over lewis. They have no big play making ability.
3. JailHouseRock - 9-7 - Chris Henry is a big loss, and CJ only has good games here and there and has never scored on the Steelers. And there defense got sent up north.
4. DogHouse - 4-12 - Lack of coaching and talent that is always like a reject toy and always breaking down.

[FastWillieParker39]

God forbid we post any of these predictions on Ravens, Bengals, or even Browns message boards they would have a fit.

[HometownGal]

Sorry guys. I do feel the Steelers will get into the playoffs this season as a W/C, but with McNair behind center (as long as he stays healthy), McGahee in the backfield and their D pretty much still intact, I gotta pick them (blech) to win the AFCN this season. Please let me be wrong.

Ratfinks 11-5
Steelers 10-6
Bungles 8-8
Browns 6-10

[stillers4me]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Sorry guys. I do feel the Steelers will get into the playoffs this season as a W/C, but with McNair behind center (as long as he stays healthy), McGahee in the backfield and their D pretty much still intact, I gotta pick them (blech) to win the AFCN this season. Please let me be wrong.

Ratfinks 11-5
Steelers 10-6
Bungles 8-8
Browns 6-10

A pox on you, sister!!

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Sorry guys. I do feel the Steelers will get into the playoffs this season as a W/C, but with McNair behind center (as long as he stays healthy), McGahee in the backfield and their D pretty much still intact, I gotta pick them (blech) to win the AFCN this season. Please let me be wrong.

Ratfinks 11-5
Steelers 10-6
Bungles 8-8
Browns 6-10

But they lost Adalius Thomas and thats a big blow to their defense...Gay Ray is a year older and isn't the same player anymore.....It took a miracle for Steve McNair to make through all 16 games last year...I doubt he does that again....Their Oline took some hits but the drafting of Ben Grubbs was a solid move....I'm not worried about Willis McGahee...He is a good RB but is vastly over-rated. I smell an 8-9 win season for the Ratbirds....

I think the North comes down between the Bengals and Steelers....But I have been so wrong before so who knows......

[HometownGal]

Originally Posted by stillers4me

A pox you, sister!!

Me sorry. LOL!

Dan - I know McNair is somewhat injury prone, but damn - that SOB is like a cat with 9 lives and has always played the Steelers tough, whether with the Titans or Rats. When he is under center, it is hard to count those inbreds out of any game, unfortunately. He reminds me a lot of the Mooner, though I think Moon had a more accurate arm.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Me sorry. LOL!

Dan - I know McNair is somewhat injury prone, but damn - that SOB is like a cat with 9 lives and has always played the Steelers tough, whether with the Titans or Rats. When he is under center, it is hard to count those inbreds out of any game, unfortunately. He reminds me a lot of the Mooner, though I think Moon had a more accurate arm.

I know but McNair has used all of those 9 lives up I think....Plus I think the Ratbirds are going to miss Adalius Thomas bigtime...He was their best defensive player.....The Ratbirds come back to earth this year..Just like in 2001 when alot of people thought that defense was going to carry them to back to back Super Bowls...The Ratbirds are over-rated....