Will We Win The AFC North?

[sflegend89]

Wait til free agency and the draft is over, the landscape will be much more clear

[tsizzle95]

[quote name='Hjulmann' timestamp='1329301514' post='994400']
So an off-season is upon us, and I've been looking at our schedule. It looks quite rough, so do you guys think we'll win the AFC North?

If the Steelers look healthy, I think (sorry to say) that we'll be heading to the playoffs on a wild card. As much as I hope we sweep them again.
[/quote]
i absolutely think we can. We have a lot of young players who got some good experience and a full offseason. i think we did get a little lucky this year because of those 3 terrible losses. If we can fix our problem of losing to the bad teams than yeah we will win the afc north. we are, in my opinion going to be more talented next year than we were this year.

[The Raven]

Bengals are gonna pressure us. If anyone takes the AFCN crown from us, its Cincy. Pittsburgh is likely on the decline with their aging defense, mediocre offense, and cap problems. Cincy is LOADED with young talent that will only get better. Cincy scares me.

It'll be interesting to see if the Bengals return to being the Bungles though. I feel like every time they have a good season they ruin it the next. Who knows with them?

[hey_hernandez]

[quote name='itsteekay' timestamp='1329339071' post='994806']
Not sure if anyone has brought this up yet;


NFL Network's Jason La Canfora agrees with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers are "more likely" to place a first-round restricted tender on Mike Wallace, rather than franchise tag him.

Placing only the tender on Wallace would leave Pittsburgh open to being poached for its top wideout by teams willing to fork over a long-term contract and a first-round draft pick. One such club could be the division-rival Ravens, who draft 29th overall. The cap-strapped Steelers may see the monetary difference between the tender ($2.742 million) and tag ($9.6 million) as worth the risk.
[/quote]

Wow. What a coup that'd be. The only problem would be signing the sort of deal that a Mike Wallace would command. I don't see it happening, but it'd be a really ballsy move by Ozzie, so maybe...?

Wallace WR1, Smith WR2, Boldin in the slot, Pitta at TE, and Rice out of the backfield. That's a nightmare.

[scrock]

the schedule doesn't have to mean anything, if our team can be focused and the most dominant they can win anywhere.

[scrock]

[quote name='sflegend89' timestamp='1329348112' post='994978']
Wait til free agency and the draft is over, the landscape will be much more clear
[/quote]

i agree

[EdReedFTW]

[quote name='Shaner021' timestamp='1329302026' post='994401']
There was an article on sports-kings breaking down the Ravens offseasons and mentioned the AFC North. Pointed out the Bengals & Browns have more than enough draft picks and cap room to get better.

Was a good summary of the challenges facing the Ravens this offseason.
[/quote]

I agree heartily. No not with the post, although there is validity to it. What I really agree with is that rent is still too damn high.

[ThePurpleWall]

Yes

[lowrider]

It all depends on a few bounces every year. A play or two either way and the Steelers take the division even though we beat them twice this year. We will see how they restock their team as they go through some transition with some of their aging players. Their receivers are tough though. And Big ben is an animal, but eventually all of those injuries he has had throughout his career will catch up to him. There will be a year where he just loses it like McNabb did. We will see

[jdynamite]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1329309358' post='994419']
Steelers?! Actually I am more concerned about the Bengals. They had a great draft last year and they will have 2 first rounders next year in which they will probably get their franchise Running Back and probably a franchise Cornerback as well.

I think we will split with the Bengals honestly. Gonna be some good games.

As for the Browns, they are in the same boat as Bengals. 2 first rounders, Holmgren will package a deal to trade up for RG3 Although he doesn't fit the current offense, neither does McCoy so might as well get the more athletic player. As for their 2nd pick, I think they will pull a 2011 Bengals and get their rookie QB someone to throw too such as Kendal Wright.
[/quote]

I'm not as concerned about the Bengals as some because this past season they had a terrible record against teams over .500. They signed guys like Nate Clements, M.Lawson, a few others to 1 yr deals... Bengals have to sign there players, and have another solid draft... Having multiple picks doesn't mean they we be good picks or productive picks. Leon Hall is as free agent whom was playing great until the injury decisions must be made on him as well... WR Simpson is free agent but is in legal trouble also... And the bengals have a history of. Poor management and they rarely have back-to-back winning seasons.....

[RavenFan28105]

The Steelers, Bengals, and BRowns pretty much have the same schedule except that we face the 1st place teams (Pats and Texans). So it's pretty much fair game for everyone. We'll know when next season starts and when we sign FA's...

[1/28/01]

0-16

[Hjulmann]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1329798836' post='998716']
0-16
[/quote]
right....

[The Raven]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1329798836' post='998716']
0-16
[/quote]

LOL I really can't believe people took this seriously...

[gabefergy]

I'm not one for looking at the schedule and circling wins or losses, but I am curious to see what each team does in free agency and the draft. As it stands now I think the Ravens are the most talented team in the AFC North and we always draft the best so I am hoping our team looks even better next year.

[edreed2o]

[quote name='Hjulmann' timestamp='1329301514' post='994400']
So an off-season is upon us, and I've been looking at our schedule. It looks quite rough, so do you guys think we'll win the AFC North?

If the Steelers look healthy, I think (sorry to say) that we'll be heading to the playoffs on a wild card. As much as I hope we sweep them again.
[/quote] Yea i dont see the steelers as being much of a threat next year. Im more caucious aboit the bengals. They are young and good and have alottt of money to spend. The steelers are in alot of trouble with the cap this year and they are getting older and older.

[Irish Raven]

[quote name='hey_hernandez' timestamp='1329332145' post='994670']
My darkhorse move of the draft is the Browns taking WR Justin Blackmon at #4 or packaging a trade to move up to get him. With the #22 pick, they trade it to GB for QB Matt Flynn. With the new CBA, 1st round picks (even high 1st rounders) won't get those bank-busting contracts like they used to.

[/quote]

Matt Flynn will be an unrestricted free agent.
No draft picks involved here, the teams just try to sign him.

Very, very unlikely the Packers would use the franchise tag

[display name]

Well, I don't know,

But we will win Super Bowl 47!!!

[display name]

[quote name='RavenFan28105' timestamp='1329500008' post='996366']
The Steelers, Bengals, and BRowns pretty much have the same schedule except that we face the 1st place teams (Pats and Texans). So it's pretty much fair game for everyone. We'll know when next season starts and when we sign FA's...
[/quote]
But the sorry Cleveland Browns will not take advantage of the equality and shall continue to wallow about in miserable despare.[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/doorpeek.gif[/img]

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1330311595' post='1004778']
But the sorry Cleveland Browns will not take advantage of the equality and shall continue to wallow about in miserable despare.[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/doorpeek.gif[/img]
[/quote]

I dunno, if they'd played Seneca Wallace that whole game against Pittsburgh they might have beaten the Steelers. If they take RGIII and he lives up to the hype, they could be very, very dangerous shortly. Plus, they have 22 overall and could draft him some help, like maybe Kendall Wright, or get a defensive guy that will give us problems. There's a fine line between mediocrity and contention in the NFL, and I really think the Browns are on the cusp.

[Raven07]

i believe we will make the playoffs, but split against the steelers, coming up with a "Ravens Control their own destiny" type deal with them having to winthe last 1-2 games in order to clinch a first round bye.

[Purple City Bird Gang]

[quote name='VA_Fan' timestamp='1329323635' post='994542']
My thoughts on the 2012 AFCN Standings. We should have it but we always seem to do something that will cost us a game or two against these guys.

1 Bengals
2 Ravens
3 Steelers
4 Browns
[/quote]
I know the Bengals are on the come up but don't think they will win the Division

[Purple City Bird Gang]

I think we'll win it again. I think after how the season went for us we'll come back with a chip on our shoulders.

[Purple City Bird Gang]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1329336403' post='994754']
To me, this isnt even a question.
In my eyes we're the best in the AFC.
[/quote]
I FEEL YOU!!! I feel the same way!!

[Purple City Bird Gang]

[quote name='Smoke' timestamp='1329324252' post='994555']
The Ravens have a very difficult schedule. Have 8 games with playoff teams. That is half the schedule! Does get much easier with SD, Philly. Wash, KC and Houston away and Dallas, Oakland, Denver, NYG and NE at home. That my friends is a very tough schedule.
Pitt & Cincy schedules are 2 games easierr than ours- they do not have to play NE & Houston. I think that will be the difference in winning the division. Cincy will get better with extra draft picks this year. They were not too far off last year. I think Pitts will be wide open with Haley as OC and will not rely on defense as much. With this said, I believe in the Ravens, the have a chance to win divsion but I believe there are too many games they could lose, so I say they get in as a wild card
[/quote]
I think we'll be okay remember we beat every play caliber team las season except one and we should have beat them

[Greatness]

[quote name='Purple City Bird Gang' timestamp='1330320987' post='1004907']
I think we'll win it again. I think after how the season went for us we'll come back with a chip on our shoulders.
[/quote]

We always have a Chip on our shoulders. We should have a [Champion]SHIP on our shoulders. Next year is going to be tough because again, on paper,our schedule is pretty brutal. Should be that way since we blew a golden opportunity this year. And we like to make it hard on ourselves, so maybe next year will finally be the time when we grab the Superbowl by the balls. But to answer the question, I think we'll win the North just beating out Pitt again. But the Bengals do scare me a little.

[boomfoxx]

A bunch of pundits have been saying that we'll enter the playoffs being the 5th seed, with a record of 10-6. The good news being that most of our tough opponents will be facing us at home (pats, giants, yeah buddy!), we actualy might have a chance at a pretty good season. It all depends on how we do AWAY, because that's where we mess up, against folks like the titans. But then again, we lost against crappy teams, and won against non crappy teams, and most of our schedule is non crappy teams, so yeah, we SHOULD be good, if we just build up our O-Line, special teams, and keep Flacco, it's all looking up. I myself don't know a lot about this stuff, so don't take my word for granted.

[display name]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1330314056' post='1004808']

I dunno, if they'd played Seneca Wallace that whole game against Pittsburgh they might have beaten the Steelers. If they take RGIII and he lives up to the hype, they could be very, very dangerous shortly. Plus, they have 22 overall and could draft him some help, like maybe Kendall Wright, or get a defensive guy that will give us problems. There's a fine line between mediocrity and contention in the NFL, and I really think the Browns are on the cusp.
[/quote]
Even if the Cleveland Browns do something good, they almost always manage to blow it.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1329326823' post='994586']
Way too early.

Bengals have cap space but a cheap owner. Bengals have draft picks but more likely to have underwhelming draft than a good one with their poor scouting. I still believe Dalton is a fraud and not a franchise guy. Was just a poised rookie.

The Browns will trade down like they always do to avoid paying top five money. Again, cheap owner.

Steelers are rebuilding, but have the talent to rebuild and contend at the same time like we do, so I won't discount them.

We have the strongest team in the division and possibly in the AFC. Barring injury.

Again too early, but at tthis point, we have the best chance.

And for the record, our schedule doesn't look that tough.
[/quote]

This is a valid assessment. The Browns won't trade down because under the new contract structure there isn't any incentive to overpay high draft picks. The Bengals have the best chance to improve thanks to the Palmer trade. Overall, let's take it one thing at a time.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1330347180' post='1004987']
Even if the Cleveland Browns do something good, they almost always manage to blow it.
[/quote]

I hope that's the case this year then, too.