USA Today: 5 Questions for the AFCN

[HoosierCat]

I thought this was decent, as far as these types of articles go.

5 questions for the AFC North

By Neal Coolong

It may not be the best division in football, but in terms of competitiveness, the AFC North – particularly its top three teams, the Steelers, Bengals and Ravens – may have no rival.

The division championship was decided in the league’s final week, and the Steelers got the best of the Bengals in the final half of the fourth quarter. Baltimore finished third, one tie away from equaling the Bengals.

Here are five looming questions that hang over the AFC North in 2015:

Will the top three teams hold each other back?

The Bengals managed to sweep the Ravens in 2014, and the Steelers topped the Bengals twice. The Steelers and Ravens split, oddly, beating each other by 20 points on their respective home fields. It’s hard to see in June how much either team improved this offseason, but it’s even harder to say if any of them are noticeably better than the other.

If each team splits with the other, the question comes down to their records over their other 14 games. Last year, the Steelers had the weakest schedule of the three, and that flips around this season. Baltimore has the weakest schedule, and that may play in their favor. But the physical tolls taken from each team pounding on each other in division clashes may be the difference between 11 wins and nine, like it was last year.

Can the Browns spoil the show?

It’s easy to dismiss the also-ran Browns from discussion, and as it sits now, it’s tough to come up with a reasonable argument the Browns will win 10 or more games this year. But the biggest advantage they have is the division’s best offensive line. Their running game was strong last season, and that was with basically two rookie running backs. With a year together, as well as another training camp under head coach Mike Pettine, the Browns may not win more than seven games, but they’ll be a difficult opponent to beat.

Any team that can run the ball well has a chance to win in the NFL. Cleveland’s offensive line will bring back Alex Mack to go with Pro Bowlers Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio. If the quarterback situation can at least contribute positively, Cleveland’s ground game can steal a win or two here and there.

Is this a make-or-break year for Andy Dalton?

The embattled Bengals quarterback drew a nasty look from Bengals WR A.J. Green late last season when an errant throw led to a big hit that limited Green over the team’s final three games. When Steelers CB Antwon Blake ripped the ball out of Green’s arms in Week 17, leading to the decisive touchdown and ending the Bengals’ chance at a division title, it’s a wonder if a healthy Green hangs onto it.

Dalton has replaced Ravens QB Joe Flacco as the “can he or can’t he?” passer in the division. He does enough to beat the Ravens, but he’s struggled against the Steelers, including two picks in the division championship game. The Bengals have loaded up their backfield and added to their offensive line, likely in an effort to take pressure off Dalton, but with the game on the line, he’s going to have to step up and makes some throws.

Can Timmy Jernigan et. al replace Haloti Ngata?

Cheers and celebration broke out in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati when the Ravens traded cap-heavy defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to Detroit this offseason. Ngata’s impact was obvious in Baltimore’s playoff win over the Steelers. A defense that appeared average while he served a four-game suspension came back to life, and he helped suffocate the Steelers out of the postseason.

Second-year defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, as well as up-and-coming DT Brandon Williams, will try to replace Ngata, one of the best interior linemen of his generation. Ngata’s power and athleticism made him a disruptive force, and if the Ravens are to continue as the reigning defensive power of the AFC North, they’ll need that position solidified.

Where is the defensive arrow pointed in Pittsburgh?

The question for the defending division champs isn’t even just whether their defense can improve under first-year defensive coordinator Keith Butler. It’s which position unit has more scrutiny heading into the season. The Steelers will show a revamped secondary that saw the retirement of Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu. Their front seven has had multiple first and second round draft picks added to it over the last five years, and their pressure and sacks numbers still stand as mediocre compared to the rest of the league.

Coverage needs to improve but so does its pass rush. If they can see improvements in those areas, the Steelers offense, a unit capable of scoring 28 points or more a game, can carry this team back to a division title. The less the defense does, however, the more the offense will have to do – a dangerous proposition against a schedule loaded with defensive powers.

My answers:
1. It's always hard to consistently win versus a division opponent even when that stinks. I usually expect the Bengals to split with the Steelers, Ravens and Browns every year. Anything better than 3-3 is gravy.

2. The Brows were looking like they were getting it together last season until they decided to switch to JFF. I expect them to be dangerous again this year as long as they keep him off the field.

3. No. I can see scenarios where 2016 is, though.

4. No. You don't just plug a guy in and replace a Ngata.

5. That's a big question not getting much attention. Neither the Steelers nor the Ravens defenses are what they were, though the national sports media generally hasn't caught up to that fact yet. If Geno and MJ return to form, I think there's a good chance we could have the best defense in the division this year.