Pittsburgh Steelers picked to win the AFC North

[blackbird29]

Well we all know the season is almost here. That said everyone is going to predict who will win what and where. NFL.com has the Steelers picked to win the Division. I believe the Ravens were picked either second or third. And the Browns last. I for one think that the Steelers are rebuilding whether they want to admit it or not. Most are predicting the champs to finish third or last and be lucky to get a wild card. I still like how everyone lives in the past and brings up that the Ravens got beat by the Steelers and Charlie Batch in the regular season. I guess having the ring and the trophy doesn't mean anything. Its what you do in week 13!

[baroquenspirit]

Well we all know the season is almost here. That said everyone is going to predict who will win what and where. NFL.com has the Steelers picked to win the Division. I believe the Ravens were picked either second or third. And the Browns last. I for one think that the Steelers are rebuilding whether they want to admit it or not. Most are predicting the champs to finish third or last and be lucky to get a wild card. I still like how everyone lives in the past and brings up that the Ravens got beat by the Steelers and Charlie Batch in the regular season. I guess having the ring and the trophy doesn't mean anything. Its what you do in week 13!

Opening paragraph of the article: "The Cincinnati Bengals are the AFC North's trendy team. The majority of preseason publications are taking theBengals to win the division, with theBaltimore Ravens the next most popular pick. But we see things differently." So the reality is, while this one site chooses the Steelers, its an anomaly. And they acknowledge as much. Just keeping it real. 

[berad]

This list of 'writers' made me sick

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000231514/article/afc-north-preview-steelers-the-pick-to-win-division

[easternshore97]

Well we all know the season is almost here. That said everyone is going to predict who will win what and where. NFL.com has the Steelers picked to win the Division. I believe the Ravens were picked either second or third. And the Browns last. I for one think that the Steelers are rebuilding whether they want to admit it or not. Most are predicting the champs to finish third or last and be lucky to get a wild card. I still like how everyone lives in the past and brings up that the Ravens got beat by the Steelers and Charlie Batch in the regular season. I guess having the ring and the trophy doesn't mean anything. Its what you do in week 13!

To be fair, having the ring and the trophy is just as much in the past as getting beat by Charlie Batch.

 

After watching Hard Knocks, I realized what all the Bengals hype was about, but for a different reason. They are pretty solid in a lot of places on defense and I think they have some pretty decent depth. Their offense isn't dazzling but will probably be good enough especially if Green and Dalton stay healthy. Bernard looks to be a real good pickup.

 

I think our defense will be good. I don't like the idea of sweeping the division or even beating playoff teams in the regular season. There's a real uncomfortable omen about beating a team in the regular season that you know you may need to beat again in the post-season. As long as we get enough wins to get in the tournament its all good. Play the best football in December in January

[MrPlankton]

It's Gregg Rosenthal, I'm not surprised in the slightest.

[hawkprey]

Regression to the mean. That's all anyone's prediction boils down to.

 

"You know they're a lot better than people give them credit for, and they lost a few games they shoulda won."
"You know they kinda overachieved last year, I think this year they get brought back down to reality."

 

Thanks, idiots who have 90% of the league between 6-10 and 10-6.

[msufan]

Regression to the mean. That's all anyone's prediction boils down to.

"You know they're a lot better than people give them credit for, and they lost a few games they shoulda won."
"You know they kinda overachieved last year, I think this year they get brought back down to reality."

Thanks, idiots who have 90% of the league between 6-10 and 10-6.

we did overachieve last yr. however I think we as a team will be better.

[flaccopoe]

Typical Ravens haters! :p  Seriously though, the Bengals have a better chance than PIT does of winning the division.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Without clicking on the link, is Elliott Harrison one of them?  That guy loves him some Steelers and hates him some Ravens.

[flaccopoe]

Without clicking on the link, is Elliott Harrison one of them?  That guy loves him some Steelers and hates him some Ravens.

 

That's most "expert NFL analysts." :p

[RavensAllTheWay]

To be fair, having the ring and the trophy is just as much in the past as getting beat by Charlie Batch.

 

After watching Hard Knocks, I realized what all the Bengals hype was about, but for a different reason. They are pretty solid in a lot of places on defense and I think they have some pretty decent depth. Their offense isn't dazzling but will probably be good enough especially if Green and Dalton stay healthy. Bernard looks to be a real good pickup.

 

I think our defense will be good. I don't like the idea of sweeping the division or even beating playoff teams in the regular season. There's a real uncomfortable omen about beating a team in the regular season that you know you may need to beat again in the post-season. As long as we get enough wins to get in the tournament its all good. Play the best football in December in January

 

They're not even comparable though.  An entire SB run compared to one home loss to a backup QB?

[flaccopoe]

They're not even comparable though.  An entire SB run compared to one home loss to a backup QB?

 

BAL's had some bumps down the road-the Batch game, the loss to JAC 2 seasons ago.  Overall though, the Ravens are still one of the most lethal teams in the conference.  With the slow declines in NE and DEN, BAL is poised to take a Top 2 seed this season.

[K-Dog]

Why are you guys STILL reading what the media says ?

 

SMH

[flaccopoe]

Why are you guys STILL reading what the media says ?

 

SMH

 

Because we enjoy being the perpetual underdog.

[descent into the maelstrom]

I watched much of the first half of the Steelers-Redskins game.  Granted that it's preseason, but it appears Pittsburgh has put several wet paper bags in as the starting O-line.  Unless there is some amazing improvement, Ben isn't going to last anywhere near the whole season.  (Again!)  Too bad because I actually kind of like the Steelers to be decent just to keep up a great ongoing rivalry.

[K-Dog]

Because we enjoy being the perpetual underdog.

 

 

You sure about the [i]"ENJOY"[/i] part ?

[flaccopoe]

 

 

You sure about the "ENJOY" part ?

 

It fires up the team and the fanbase.  The Giants are in a similar situation and they use it as a rallying cry.

[Cville-Raven]

lol looks like skippy b has already changed his mind on the steelers finishing second in the division above us.

[beanfigger]

lol looks like skippy b has already changed his mind on the steelers finishing second in the division above us.

 

That's not the way I heard it.  He said the Steelers would still make the playoffs at 10-6 and we (the Ravens) had "no shot" at the postseason.  He also stated that we would have "4, maybe 5, rookie starters on defense," so...he's still an idiot who just makes stuff up.

[berad]

That's not the way I heard it. He said the Steelers would still make the playoffs at 10-6 and we (the Ravens) had "no shot" at the postseason. He also stated that we would have "4, maybe 5, rookie starters on defense," so...he's still an idiot who just makes stuff up.

LOL I can think of 2 at most. Elam is probably the only one and he's still fighting for it.

[H8R]

The Steelers looked worse then us.... but it's the preseason.
I think the bell Injury is going to be serious!

[Cville-Raven]

That's not the way I heard it.  He said the Steelers would still make the playoffs at 10-6 and we (the Ravens) had "no shot" at the postseason.  He also stated that we would have "4, maybe 5, rookie starters on defense," so...he's still an idiot who just makes stuff up.

On his twitter he said other wise

[beanfigger]

On his twitter he said other wise

 

He must have changed his mind before today's show.  I don't have Twitter, so I can't comment on that.

[display name]

I honestly think the title in this division is up for grabs. Once again, the AFC North is shaping up to be very tough. There are three teams that I think have a decent shot at finishing #1, and all three I believe will have records at 8-8 at the lowest. Pittsburgh was able to finish #1 in total D last year with limited play from Polamalu and Harrison. That says something. And like with us, I believe rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. The biggest thing for them may actually be Roethlisberger. They went 1-2 when he was out, and they will depend partially on him to play his first 16 games in the regular season since 2008 if they are to get back to the postseason, and to stop chocking late in the game like he did against Dallas and Cinci. He would also like a run game to set up the pass, which is still in limbo. If Pittsburgh can overcome these obstacles, they will bounce back.

Also, their last losing season was in 2003. Very impressive. Off the top of my head I can think of only the Patriots who have matched that. The team has been greatly taken care of and presided over by great head coaches, GMs, and owners.

The only thing that I can say I'm pretty sure about is that the Browns will end up last. Other than that, it's gonna be a wild ride. 

[Cville-Raven]

He must have changed his mind before today's show.  I don't have Twitter, so I can't comment on that.

He posted it during last nights pre season game. 

[ravensdan]

BAL's had some bumps down the road-the Batch game, the loss to JAC 2 seasons ago. Overall though, the Ravens are still one of the most lethal teams in the conference. With the slow declines in NE and DEN, BAL is poised to take a Top 2 seed this season.

You are just as bad with this comment. What decline of New England and Denver?

[flaccopoe]

You are just as bad with this comment. What decline of New England and Denver?

DEN's taken some big hits in their defense, in case you haven't heard. There O-line has also looked spotty. NE has lost almost all their receivers. Their best bets are Gronkowski and Amendola, who are both very injury-prone.

[easternshore97]

DEN's taken some big hits in their defense, in case you haven't heard. There O-line has also looked spotty. NE has lost almost all their receivers. Their best bets are Gronkowski and Amendola, who are both very injury-prone.

Brady threw a TD to the rookie UDFA in the 2nd pre-season game. Unlike Baltimore, New England gives most of those guys a real legitimate shot to make the team...unlike we regularly do with some of ours (latest case M. Furstenburg)

 

Nevermind the fact that New England's first team offense looked pretty darn good in that game. Their run game looked very efficient as well. As for Denver, I think their WRs know how to run routes pretty good and Peyton knows where he wants to go with the ball pre-snap so they will be just as fine. Both teams have the potential to run the table in their division even with their losses

[PuRock]

Why are you guys STILL reading what the media says ?

 

SMH

 

I have no idea.  I think every media/talking head/etc in the world at some point during last year's playoff run, said that 'our road stops here'.  But it didn't, and we won the SB. 

 

Personally, I don't need justification from the media to let me know what I think we can do is possible.  Because I know we can, and that's all that matters.  

[flaccopoe]

I have no idea.  I think every media/talking head/etc in the world at some point during last year's playoff run, said that 'our road stops here'.  But it didn't, and we won the SB. 
 
Personally, I don't need justification from the media to let me know what I think we can do is possible.  Because I know we can, and that's all that matters.

The Giants are the exact same way in the NFC.