AFC North standings after Week 3

[FerrariFan87]

Who really cares who's technically first at this point in time.  Bottom Line:  We are both 2-1 and have to face each other twice still.  A lot on the line in those games.

Agreed. It's way too early to worry about the standings. As long as we keep winning, the rest will take care of itself.

[funky141]

I hope CLE beats CIN at home!

not happening but thats why they play the games.

[flaccopoe]

Pittsburg has been absolutely dreadful at drafting the last 4 seasons.  Not to count them out, but I am not as impressed with them as a franchise as I have been previously.

 

Pouncey, Mendenhall, Wallace, Brown...

[RavensAllTheWay]

I'm pretty sure that's the third tiebreaker, after head-to-head and division record. It comes into play a lot.

 

For division opponents, record against common opponents is 3rd and conference record is 4th.

[darklight1216]

Pouncey, Mendenhall, Wallace, Brown...

 

 

Wait a minute, didn't Ray break Mendenhall in 2008? That's more than four years.

[Predator]

Guys, guys. C'mon guys. Let's be honest. Way deep, DEEP down inside, if you HAD to bet $1000 on either the Bengals or Browns winning the game, you'd pick the Bengals because that makes sense - and because you'll be $1000 richer after that game. Like it or not, the Bengals will then be 2-0 in the AFC and still #1 in the North. IMHO, the Ravens need to the Packers AND the Bengals to take their rightful place at the top of the AFC North -- that'l probably be a hard thing to do this year. P.S. Congrats on picking up Miles and the Texans beat-down - verrry impressive. Best of luck against the Bills. :) Can't wait for Week 10.

[flaccopoe]

Guys, guys. C'mon guys. Let's be honest. Way deep, DEEP down inside, if you HAD to bet $1000 on either the Bengals or Browns winning the game, you'd pick the Bengals because that makes sense - and because you'll be $1000 richer after that game. Like it or not, the Bengals will then be 2-0 in the AFC and still #1 in the North. IMHO, the Ravens need to the Packers AND the Bengals to take their rightful place at the top of the AFC North -- that'l probably be a hard thing to do this year. P.S. Congrats on picking up Miles and the Texans beat-down - verrry impressive. Best of luck against the Bills. :) Can't wait for Week 10.

 

I wouldn't be so sure.  CLE is playing like there's no tomorrow and rightfully so.  They have nothing to lose and everything to gain if Hoyer/Gordon/Cameron/McGahee work out.  CLE has a D that can really punish Dalton and his buddies; they had 4 TO last week against GB of all Ds.  They have the whole Ohio rivalry thing going, too.  As CLE's punter/FG kicker proved, they're willing to pull all the stops.

[izvoodoo]

Pouncey, Mendenhall, Wallace, Brown...

Because Mendenhall was so great for a first rounder.  Not to mention Decastro and Mike Adams is just lighting it up.  Maybe dreadful was harsh, but they certainly haven't drafted like a superbowl contender. 

[flaccopoe]

Because Mendenhall was so great for a first rounder.  Not to mention Decastro and Mike Adams is just lighting it up.  Maybe dreadful was harsh, but they certainly haven't drafted like a superbowl contender. 

 

Mendenhall used to light it up for PIT, until he starting getting injured.

[izvoodoo]

Mendenhall used to light it up for PIT, until he starting getting injured.

True.  But compared to the other contending teams, I don't think Pittsburg has drafted well.  I certainly don't think they've drafted well enough to compete, if that makes sense.

[flaccopoe]

Speaking of PIT'Ss RBs, Le'Veon Bell will reunite with Big Ben by the Big Ben when they go to England to play the Vikings.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000249901/article/leveon-bell-reportedly-to-play-for-steelers-vs-vikings

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I see both the Ravens and Bengals making the playoffs again.

[Predator]

Nothing's really "so sure" in football, except for (maybe) the Broncos beating the Jaguars in Week 6. It's about probability based on current history and wins-to-date over whom, recent performance, skillset and injuries. Remember that Cincinnati stormed back with 20 unanswered points in the Packers game to win it. Rodgers through more interceptions than TD passes for the first time in 37 games for a total of less than 250 yards. Both teams turned over the ball four times. Both teams scored a TD after a fumble. My money is on the Bengals over the Browns - big time. The Browns are proven gamblers, but they have to get into the red zone to score and close enough to the uprights to kick it through. We may see some of that, but I don't think there will be enough of it to win the game. The tougher, much more interesting, game will be Bengals versus Patriots in Week 5, imho.

[cravnravn]

Guys, guys. C'mon guys. Let's be honest. Way deep, DEEP down inside, if you HAD to bet $1000 on either the Bengals or Browns winning the game, you'd pick the Bengals because that makes sense - and because you'll be $1000 richer after that game. Like it or not, the Bengals will then be 2-0 in the AFC and still #1 in the North. IMHO, the Ravens need to the Packers AND the Bengals to take their rightful place at the top of the AFC North -- that'l probably be a hard thing to do this year. P.S. Congrats on picking up Miles and the Texans beat-down - verrry impressive. Best of luck against the Bills. :) Can't wait for Week 10.

 

If I had to bet the game Id bet it on Cleveland..Cinncy struggled with the worse D in the NFL..Clevelands D is for real, they will hold Dalton & green in check this week.

[Predator]

I wouldn't be so sure.  CLE is playing like there's no tomorrow and rightfully so.  They have nothing to lose and everything to gain if Hoyer/Gordon/Cameron/McGahee work out.  CLE has a D that can really punish Dalton and his buddies; they had 4 TO last week against GB of all Ds.  They have the whole Ohio rivalry thing going, too.  As CLE's punter/FG kicker proved, they're willing to pull all the stops.

Nothing's really "so sure" in football, except for (maybe) the Broncos beating the Jaguars in Week 6. It's about probability based on current history and wins-to-date over whom, recent performance, skillset and injuries. Remember that Cincinnati stormed back with 20 unanswered points in the Packers game to win it. Rodgers through more interceptions than TD passes for the first time in 37 games for a total of less than 250 yards. Both teams turned over the ball four times. Both teams scored a TD after a fumble. My money is on the Bengals over the Browns - big time. The Browns are proven gamblers, but they have to get into the red zone to score and close enough to the uprights to kick it through. We may see some of that, but I don't think there will be enough of it to win the game. The tougher, much more interesting, game will be Bengals versus Patriots in Week 5, imho.

[Tank 92]

Nothing's really "so sure" in football, except for (maybe) the Broncos beating the Jaguars in Week 6. It's about probability based on current history and wins-to-date over whom, recent performance, skillset and injuries. Remember that Cincinnati stormed back with 20 unanswered points in the Packers game to win it. Rodgers through more interceptions than TD passes for the first time in 37 games for a total of less than 250 yards. Both teams turned over the ball four times. Both teams scored a TD after a fumble. My money is on the Bengals over the Browns - big time. The Browns are proven gamblers, but they have to get into the red zone to score and close enough to the uprights to kick it through. We may see some of that, but I don't think there will be enough of it to win the game. The tougher, much more interesting, game will be Bengals versus Patriots in Week 5, imho.

 

 

You can go ahead and count the W now if you want, but the brownies are a much different team this year. And as we all know, past performance means very little in NFL match ups, much less a division game.

 

"Stormed back......."?  I didn't watch the whole game but it looked to me like the Pack gift wrapped and delivered that win.

[Predator]

So do I and we will see that game in Week 10. Before then, Ravens face the Packers and Bengals face the Patriots - in Weeks 6 and 5, respectively. If Ravens beat the Packers (I hope like hell they do) AND beat the Bengals (which they could), the flock will and should assume their rightful place at the top of the AFC North, imho. Btw, aside from the Bengals going to Super Bowl 47 last year which couldn't happen, I was SO glad the AFC North Ravens did go and win that game! May the AFC North continue to produce winners!

 

 

I want to see how the Ravens play the Bengals. I think that's the only other threat for the AFC North division winner. The Steelers are sinking fast, and the Browns had a decent victory against another winless team.

[Predator]

You can go ahead and count the W now if you want, but the brownies are a much different team this year. And as we all know, past performance means very little in NFL match ups, much less a division game.

 

"Stormed back......."?  I didn't watch the whole game but it looked to me like the Pack gift wrapped and delivered that win.

I don't think you're being completely honest here. You gotta look at the WHOLE game. 30 unanswered Packer points followed by 20 unanswered Bengals points. Maybe you missed the parts where Dalton through 2 TDs (to Rodgers 1 TD), or maybe Giovanni Bernard's endzone gymnastics.  Rodgers was intercepted twice - Dalton only once. It was a bad day for the Packers, but in many respects (like turnovers), it was a bad day for the Bengals too. I suppose if both teams played for a fifth quarter, maybe the Packers would have won it. In six quarters, maybe the Bengals would have won it. Unfortunately for the Packers, there were only four quarters in the game. 

[Tank 92]

I don't think you're being completely honest here. You gotta look at the WHOLE game. 30 unanswered Packer points followed by 20 unanswered Bengals points. Maybe you missed the parts where Dalton through 2 TDs (to Rodgers 1 TD), or maybe Giovanni Bernard's endzone gymnastics.  Rodgers was intercepted twice - Dalton only once. It was a bad day for the Packers, but in many respects (like turnovers), it was a bad day for the Bengals too. I suppose if both teams played for a fifth quarter, maybe the Packers would have won it. In six quarters, maybe the Bengals would have won it. Unfortunately for the Packers, there were only four quarters in the game. 

 

 

Oh, I'm being honest, I didn't watch the whole game.  Wasn't it 14-0 bengals at the start? And I saw the dumb play at the end to give them the W.  Like I said, gift wrapped.

[Predator]

Oh, I'm being honest, I didn't watch the whole game.  Wasn't it 14-0 bengals at the start? And I saw the dumb play at the end to give them the W.  Like I said, gift wrapped.

OK, bud. Whatever you say. Seeya in Week 10.

[Predator]

If I had to bet the game Id bet it on Cleveland..Cinncy struggled with the worse D in the NFL..Clevelands D is for real, they will hold Dalton & green in check this week.

Okie-dokie - I don't think you'll get to a comfortable retirement betting like that.

[Predator]

I see both the Ravens and Bengals making the playoffs again.

A realistic Ravens fan - I agree - I'll vote this one up.

[Tank 92]

OK, bud. Whatever you say. Seeya in Week 10.

 

 

Sounds good. We may look a little different by week 10, so buckle up those chin straps!

[ellicottraven]

So do I and we will see that game in Week 10. Before then, Ravens face the Packers and Bengals face the Patriots - in Weeks 6 and 5, respectively. If Ravens beat the Packers (I hope like hell they do) AND beat the Bengals (which they could), the flock will and should assume their rightful place at the top of the AFC North, imho. Btw, aside from the Bengals going to Super Bowl 47 last year which couldn't happen, I was SO glad the AFC North Ravens did go and win that game! May the AFC North continue to produce winners!
 
 

I want to see how the Ravens play the Bengals. I think that's the only other threat for the AFC North division winner. The Steelers are sinking fast, and the Browns had a decent victory against another winless team.

I think the Bengals are a decent team this year. I believe they may make the playoffs again this year. However, I think Dalton is pretty average,but their roster is stacked otherwise. I think their real ace is Marvin Lewis who I think is an excellent coach. While I honestly don't think the Bengals match up to the Ravens, they are clearly the second best team in the division and probably top 5-7 teams in the AFC.

[Puntit]

I think the Bengals are a decent team this year. I believe they may make the playoffs again this year. However, I think Dalton is pretty average,but their roster is stacked otherwise. I think their real ace is Marvin Lewis who I think is an excellent coach. While I honestly don't think the Bengals match up to the Ravens, they are clearly the second best team in the division and probably top 5-7 teams in the AFC.

Agree. I think the Bengals as a team look better this year, but Dalton individually doesn't appear to have shown much progress, which will prove problematic down the road. Based on the first three games, I could see them making the playoffs by beating up on the weaker teams on their schedule, but yet again being one and done when they hit the real competition in the post-season. Pittsburgh is a former shell of what they were - I see them playing for Clowney later in the season. So too Cleveland, although I feel like they have more upside given their age and cap room.

 

The Ravens are hard to predict. Their defense is so much better than last year, but offense so far is much worse, so they still could go either way. If Rice and their run game get worked out, and TEs start catching, they could become a force to reckon with.

[flaccopoe]

A realistic Ravens fan - I agree - I'll vote this one up.

 

I think TEN might steal CIN's WC chances this year.

[Predator]

Agree. I think the Bengals as a team look better this year, but Dalton individually doesn't appear to have shown much progress, which will prove problematic down the road. Based on the first three games, I could see them making the playoffs by beating up on the weaker teams on their schedule, but yet again being one and done when they hit the real competition in the post-season. Pittsburgh is a former shell of what they were - I see them playing for Clowney later in the season. So too Cleveland, although I feel like they have more upside given their age and cap room.

 

The Ravens are hard to predict. Their defense is so much better than last year, but offense so far is much worse, so they still could go either way. If Rice and their run game get worked out, and TEs start catching, they could become a force to reckon with.

Dalton remains the great unknown. Still, he had two TD passes against the Packers and only one INT - better stats in these respects than Rodgers. Not too shabby for a 3rd year QB. This is gonna be a fun year to watch the Bengals.

[Tank 92]

Dalton remains the great unknown. Still, he had two TD passes against the Packers and only one INT - better stats in these respects than Rodgers. Not too shabby for a 3rd year QB. This is gonna be a fun year to watch the Bengals.

 

 

Considering Green Bay has had one of the worst pass defenses so far this year I'm not so sure that is much of an accomplishment.

[Puntit]

Dalton remains the great unknown. Still, he had two TD passes against the Packers and only one INT - better stats in these respects than Rodgers. Not too shabby for a 3rd year QB. This is gonna be a fun year to watch the Bengals.

In addition to what the prior poster mentioned, Rodgers had an uncharacteristically bad game and was forced to try and make throws because their running game was awful. So I would agree Dalton doing better than him might not be that much of an accomplishment. You want your QB to do well objectively, not compared to someone who does poorly. Its hard to accomplish much if your basis is that you don't stink as bad as the next guy. Then again Flacco was wildly inconsistent in his third year. We shall see.

[hawkprey]

In addition to what the prior poster mentioned, Rodgers had an uncharacteristically bad game and was forced to try and make throws because their running game was awful. So I would agree Dalton doing better than him might not be that much of an accomplishment. You want your QB to do well objectively, not compared to someone who does poorly. Its hard to accomplish much if your basis is that you don't stink as bad as the next guy. Then again Flacco was wildly inconsistent in his third year. We shall see.

So the Bengals defense doesn't get credit for making Rodgers struggle? Also, the Packers had 182 yards rushing that day. I don't know, maybe that qualifies as awful to you.