Why I like them: They have been the consummate franchise of the last 40 years. 6 Super Bowls, 3 coaches. Each coach has at least one. Two separate periods of dominance, with a number of excellent teams in-between. Oh, and did I mention that they're my team?
Wait, that's not really what I mean by "why I like them"...
Why I like them? Defending Super Bowl Champs, returning all but what? 3 starters? Oh, and the area where they struggled most, special teams (and if you don't buy this, watch the second Ravens game where the Ravens got 9 points based solely on their ability to win the field position battle and get drives starting at midfield), they get back Dan Sepulveda and pick up Stefan Logan. They have the 3rd best QB in the league, and probably the best clutch-time QB (see John Elway). They have the best defense in the league pretty easily. Troy being out for 3-6 is hard, but its hardly crippling. Worst-case scenario, they're looking at 5-2 by the time he comes back.
They are stacked at basically every position. This is the most talented Steelers team since 1979. Anything less than a 7th championship will be a disappointment, and if they don't get it, it won't because they didn't have the talent to keep up.
Why I (don't like) them: Two places where they struggle: running game and o-line. But with that said, there was some turnover up front, and it took last year's group a while to come together.
However, it does concern me that they aren't as strong in those areas. Ben will have to be that much better to deal with teams never having to bring that 8th guy up, and never having to worry about the run. They seem capable of running against mediocre teams, but not good teams, and that could be a problem.
Most likely to get arrested: Troy Polamalu for robbery.
Prediction: 13-3, 1st in the AFC North, #2 seed in AFC. They lost out to the Pats, b/c I had the Pats going 10-2 in the AFC and the Steelers going 9-3. It's all b/c Ruben made me change my pick of the Pats/Falcons game, so blame it on him.
2. B-more Ravens
Why I like them: Serious fucking defense, as always. I hate this team, but you have to give respect to that D, which is so, so strong up the middle - Ngata, Lewis, Reed. The defense is fast and opportunistic, not to mentioned incredibly experienced.
The offense really appears to be coming together. Now, all I really have to go off is pre-season and Week 1 versus the hapless Chiefs. However, Flacco looks better every time he plays - the Steelers made him look very average last season, but the kid was only a rookie. He has a big arm and can make all the throws. Ray Rice looks sick. If this team can find 23 PPG instead of 18, this team will be very dangerous.
Why I hate them: Everyone keeps waiting for the defense to get old. Hasn't happened yet, but that doesn't mean their D isn't getting a little bit slower. This team also lost Bart Scott, and most importantly, their defensive mind in Rex Ryan. I think that the loss of Ryan is the biggest cause for concern. They shut the Chiefs down for 3 quarters last Sunday, but then in the 4th quarter, when the game had gotten tight, they gave up drives of 55 and 80 yards, good for 10 points, and enough for KC to tie the game at 24 with 8:10 left. Now, sure, Flacco bailed them out, but these are the Chiefs. This team is a bumbling mess on offense, and the Ravens D appeared to wear down. Not a good sign.
The offense looks good, but who knows what to expect, really. Derek Mason is 95 years old, and Joe Flacco isn't ready to take over this offense and make it his yet. If this team starts struggling with the run, things could be difficult. When you can run 41 times for 198 yards, it should be easy to win. Similarly, Flacco did a lot to put the Ravens in the bad spot they were in late in this game. Up 10-7 on the first drive of the second half, Flacco throws a pick that ends up back at his own 6, allowing the Chiefs to punch it in and take a short-lived 14-10 lead. Again, he recovered, but these are not mistakes they can make against stepped-up competition in teams like Pittsburgh, New England, and Indianapolis.
Most likely to get arrested: Joe Flacco. After a late night at a local club, another patron asks Flacco where Ernie is.
Well, you can use your imagination as to where this story goes next.Prediction: 10-6, 2nd in AFC North, Wild-Card. Schedule is a little bit tougher. Should be right there, though, and expect them to be playing in a road playoff game that first week. Maybe we'll be lucky, and get a rematch of last years divisional playoffs with Tennessee.
t - 3. Cincinnati Bungles
Why I like them: Ugh. Carson Palmer has a big arm, and throws a nice football... Chad Ochocinco is the only person in the entire world with that last name, which makes him pretty awesome. Er. Um. Man, not even anything to look forward to in the future. Man. Um, Chris Henry is tough to cover, too...... Cedric Benson was good at Texas. Hm.
Rey Maualuga, though. That might turn out to be the steal of the draft.
Why I hate them: Marvin Lewis is a terrible football coach who wouldn't know the concepts of "class", "professionalism" or "hard-work" if they were physical objects, and the physical objects of those items hit him square in the face.
Carson Palmer is HUGELY overrated. People like him because he looks like a QB. So did Jeff George, though.
Chad Johnson is really the only proven playmaker on offense, and their line isn't that great. Can't run, can only kinda pass.
Oh, and their defense is lame. Maualuga can be great, but I'm worried that he's on such a disorganized and undisciplined team.
Most likely to get arrested: Take you pick. Seriously, it could happen to any of them.
Prediction: 5-11, t-3rd in AFC North. No playoffs. Marvin Lewis FINALLY gets fired, and the Bungles can take a shot at putting the pieces together for real this time.
t - 3. Cleveland Browns
Why I like them: They are trying to put the pieces together. Who knows what Brady Quinn will become. I don't think he'll ever be elite, but I think he could be a Trent Green/Matt Hasselbeck type at his peak, and both of those guys proved that they could win. Braylon Edwards is a physical freak, who can be as good as he puts his mind to. And most importantly, they are building a damn good o-line. Joe Thomas is the next superstar LT, and Alex Mack was a guy I wanted the Steelers to take big time. He's smart, and has a mean streak. That line is damn good, and you can go a long way based just on the offensive line.
Why I hate them: Brady Quinn is as-yet unproven, Jamal Lewis is getting damn old, and Braylon Edwards is a head case.
No defense to speak of, and an offense that has scored, what, 2 offensive touchdowns in the last 28 quarters?!?!?!
You ain't gonna win many like that. I think the offense will be better, but not that good, and the defense stinks. AP is good, but nobody's that good if the defense is willing to put up any kind of fight........
Most likely to get arrested: You know, I have a bad feeling about Quinn, not gonna lie. Public intoxication. Or, perhaps, indecent exposure. I dunno, his decision making seems to be a little off every once in a while.
Prediction: 5-11, tied-3rd AFC North. Moving in the right direction, but not close yet.....
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