AFC North 2013 Standings
Cincinnati Bengals: 11-5
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8
Baltimore Ravens: 8-8
Cleveland Browns: 4-12
The defending AFC North champs in the Bengals are looking to defend their crown in what looks to be a wide open division with original powerhouses like the Ravens and the Steelers looking to get back to glory and the Browns taking steps in the right direction with their ninth ranked defense from a season ago leading the charge.
Each team in the AFC North has a defense capable of being ranked in the top 10 in the entire NFL. Every team in this division brings a physical brand of football. However, the funny thing about all of four teams in the division is the fact that their quarterbacks will be the x-factor as to how far they go as the season goes along.
Bengals
Offense: Ranked 10th in NFL in 2013 season averaging 368.2 yards per game
Scoring offense: Tied for sixth in NFL during 2013 season averaging 26.9 points per game
Defense: Ranked third in NFL during 2013 season allowing 305.5 yards allowed per game
Scoring defense: Tied for sixth in NFL during 2013 season averaging 19.1 points allowed per game
What's new for the Bengals?
The Bengals have two new coordinators entering the 2014 season. Former offensive coordinator Jay Gruden left the Bengals earlier this offseason to become the head coach of the Washington Redskins. Former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer left the Bengals earlier this offseason to become the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
After losing two coordinators who were very instrumental to the Bengals reach the playoffs in each of the last three seasons which is a Bengals record, it would be naïve to believe that the Bengals will not feel the impact of those losses in some capacity. However, the good news is current Bengals' offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is familiar with the system which will ease the transition for quarterback Andy Dalton.
On defense, the philosophy won't change much if at all considering the fact that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is a defensive-minded coach so even though new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther will take over the play calling duties, expect Lewis to share some of the responsibilites as Guenther gets comfortable at the position as the season goes along.
Which Bengal needs to step up?
Dalton without question is the one player everyone is looking at nationally as the player who is holding the Bengals back as an organziation. Now that may be harsh for some Bengals' fans to hear but the fact of the matter is Dalton has failed to produce in the playoffs when it matters.
In Dalton's three career playoff games the veteran has one touchdown and six interceptions with a passer rating of 56.4 with zero playoff wins to go along with it.
Dalton recently signed a six-year deal worth 96 million with the contract worth up 114 million including salary escalators connected with improved playoff performances. Dalton didn't have to wait long to get a nice contract in his young career but if he doesn't improve anytime soon, his current contract might be the last big contract he ever receives.
Steelers
Offense: Ranked 20th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 337.5 yards per game
Scoring offense: Tied for 16th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 23.7 points per game
Defense: Ranked 13th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 337.6 yards allowed per game
Scoring defense: Ranked 14th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 23.1 points allowed per game
What's new for the Steelers?
The growing youth in defense is becoming more and more noticable. The Steelers look to have hit a home run in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft selecting inside linebacker Ryan Shazier who is off to a fast start with 18 tackles and one interception in three preseason games.
With Shazier added to the fold, a Steelers defense which has been accused of being old over the last couple of years is starting to grow into one of the younger defenses in the NFL as the starting linebackers on defense are no older than 28 years old which consists of inside linebacker Lawerence Timmons and outside linebackers such as Jason Worlids and Jarvis Jones.
Which Steeler needs to step up?
The entire Steelers' offensive line needs to hold their end of the bargin once and for all. The Steelers over the years for the most part have gotten away with having a shaky offensive line. With back to back 8-8 seasons and missing the playoffs two years in a row for the first time since the late 90's, the inconsistency with the Steelers o-line has become too much for them to overcome.
With the communications getting better by the day between veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Steelers have made it a point over the last couple of seasons to get back to a more physical brand of football focusing on the running game.
The Steelers drafted offensive guard David Decastro in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, drafted runningback Le'Veon Bell in second round of the 2013 NFL draft and also signed center Maurkice Pouncey to a five-year deal worth 44 million this offseason.
The running game is expected to take the heat off of Roethlisberger who is prone to making plays with his feet and shaking off tacklers. Roethlisberger arguably had the best regular season of his career last year throwing for 4,261 yards with 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Steelers want to build on that number but it would be hard to duplicate if the offensive line can't stay healthy or come together as a cohesive unit.
Ravens
Offense: Ranked 29th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 307.4 yards per game
Scoring offense: Ranked 25th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 20 points per game
Defense: Ranked 12th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 335.5 yards allowed per game
Scoring defense: Ranked 12th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 22 points allowed per game
What's new for the Ravens?
Arguably the best acquisition the Ravens made this offeason occurred when they hired former Houston Texans' head coach Gary Kubiak on to their staff to become their offensive coordinator. It was no secret that the Ravens needed drastic changes along the offensive side of the ball where the running game dropped to a franchise-low 3.1 yards per carry during the 2013 season.
Kubiak brings a zone-blocking scheme which is suited to fit the athelticism of the personnel along the offensive line with talents such as left tackle Eugene Monroe and offensive guard Kelechi Osemele showing off their skills in open space blocking down field.
Kubiak's system also brings a more balanced approach in the passing game. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco experienced the worst season of his career with 19 touchdowns and a career high 22 interceptions where he was one season removed from having the best season of his career which led to Flacco winning Super Bowl MVP honors.
Kubiak's system will allow Flacco to use a lot more play action passes this season to compliment the running game and utilize the short passing game to open up space down the field to take advantage his big arm.
Which Raven needs to step up?
Flacco has to have a big year ahead of him. That isn't because Flacco needs to justify his contract. Flacco won the Super Bowl during the 2012 season throwing 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the postseason. Flacco doesn't have to prove anything in that regard.
However, Flacco has to improve because as he goes, the entire Ravens team goes. If Flacco can become efficient consistently over the course of the 2014 season, the Ravens will be one of the dark horses if not one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl out of the AFC.
Browns:
Offense: Ranked 17th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 339.4 yards per game
Scoring offense: Ranked 27th in NFL during 2013 season averaging 19.2 points per game
Defense: Ranked ninth in NFL during 2013 season averaging 332.4 yards allowed per game
Scoring defense: Ranked 23rd in NFL during 2013 season averaging 25.4 points allowed per game
What's new for the Browns?
The Browns hired Mike Pettine to be their head coach earlier in the offseason which is Pettine's first head coaching job in the NFL. With the hiring of Pettine, the Browns hope that they can finally have continuity at the position as the team has gone through seven head coaches since the 1999 season.
Which Brown needs to step up?
Browns' quarterback Brian Hoyer has to make the most of his opportunity as the starting quarterback of the Browns. With rookie backup quarterback Johnny Manziel lurking around the corner to take the starting position, Hoyer has a lot of pressure to perform more than usual as a starting quarterback.
Everyone knows Manziel is hyped by the media, so there will be people actively and openly hoping for Manziel to succeed as soon as possible.
For Hoyer off the bat, it isn't going to be easy for him during his first-three games as the Browns play the Steelers, New Orleans Saints and the Ravens in order. Not to mention Hoyer will most likely be without his wide receiver Josh Gordon for at least half the season due to his constant off the field issues.
If Hoyer can get through that rough stretch with consistent production trending in the right direction, Manziel will most likely ride the bench a lot longer than many anticipated barring injury.