My Annual 2015 Predictions and Final AFC North Standings

[Purple_City39]

 Right ! Let's talk after getting blown out in Denver and getting blindsided in Oakland. This team is not ready for prime time and I'm not sure why some people refuse to look at reality. I agree that Campanaro looks good when he is healthy but he almost never is. An unskilled unproven defensive line  with no swagger? How can you endorse Carl Davis? He's never played a down in the NFL. Timmy Jernigan and upgrade from Haloti Ngata? That's just downright uncivilized. Who fills the gaps at WR? In what universe do we have a deep threat? Who's gonna field punts and return kick-offs? Maybe Pee Wee Herman is a free agent. And your kidding of course on kick-offs right? Don't you think opposing teams are gonna realize we don't have anyone back there and instead of touchbacks kick to the guy who is more of a threat to fumble? I like some of your insights but the AFC North might be the toughest division in football.   There are some really good teams in the AFC period. Let's stick to reality.

How does losing Ngata make the d-line unskilled and unproven???  Williams is in his 3rd season and considered among the best NTs in the league.  Proven and skilled.  Canty is a proven and skilled vet, even if he's on the downswing.  Jernigan is a very good player.  Not necessarily proven, but skilled.  The rest of the d-line that was great last season mainly returned.  Ngata didn't play every position at the same time.

 

At WR, don't be surprised if you see Waller go deep a few times.  I'm sure you love of being negative will chime in here but he came out as someone expected to only run deep and get jump balls in the endzone.  The coaches used him for anything but that on offense, forcing him to improve at the short routes.  I fully expect them to unleash him on the deep ball when the games matter.  Besides, WR play has never crippled this team.  With just one receiver in Mason and a bunch of bums, Baltimore fell below 10 games once.  With Torrey as the best receiver on the team and nobodies behind him, the team still didn't fall below 8 wins in 2013 (and that's with a garbage o-line also). 

 

Kick offs I'm not yet worried about.  Denver's altitude and kicker means touchbacks all game.  You don't risk trying to kick short because you think a team can't return it.  That's poor coaching.  A good set of blockers and even you could return a short kick past the 20.

 

A guy picking the Ravens to end at 5-11 shouldn't be telling others to stick to reality.

[bpytnjr58]

The Raiders actually scare me also.

The first half of this schedule scares me.

[Ravens4Real]

How does losing Ngata make the d-line unskilled and unproven??? Williams is in his 3rd season and considered among the best NTs in the league. Proven and skilled. Canty is a proven and skilled vet, even if he's on the downswing. Jernigan is a very good player. Not necessarily proven, but skilled. The rest of the d-line that was great last season mainly returned. Ngata didn't play every position at the same time.

At WR, don't be surprised if you see Waller go deep a few times. I'm sure you love of being negative will chime in here but he came out as someone expected to only run deep and get jump balls in the endzone. The coaches used him for anything but that on offense, forcing him to improve at the short routes. I fully expect them to unleash him on the deep ball when the games matter. Besides, WR play has never crippled this team. With just one receiver in Mason and a bunch of bums, Baltimore fell below 10 games once. With Torrey as the best receiver on the team and nobodies behind him, the team still didn't fall below 8 wins in 2013 (and that's with a garbage o-line also).

Kick offs I'm not yet worried about. Denver's altitude and kicker means touchbacks all game. You don't risk trying to kick short because you think a team can't return it. That's poor coaching. A good set of blockers and even you could return a short kick past the 20.

A guy picking the Ravens to end at 5-11 shouldn't be telling others to stick to reality.

The Ravens aren't dressing 6 WR's. That means 1-2 of them will be inactive. If they don't contribute on special teams than they will sit. I fully expect Waller to be among those in actives the first couple of games.

[Purple_City39]

The Ravens aren't dressing 6 WR's. That means 1-2 of them will be inactive. If they don't contribute on special teams than they will sit. I fully expect Waller to be among those in actives the first couple of games.

I severely doubt Perriman plays and I don't recall if Camp is fully healthy or not.  That's 1-2 right there.  You may be right though regardless.  I just hope the team would keep their only remaining deep threat active so we don't have to see that 2010 offense with slow or average speed possession receivers all over again

[wizard1]

How does losing Ngata make the d-line unskilled and unproven???  Williams is in his 3rd season and considered among the best NTs in the league.  Proven and skilled.  Canty is a proven and skilled vet, even if he's on the downswing.  Jernigan is a very good player.  Not necessarily proven, but skilled.  The rest of the d-line that was great last season mainly returned.  Ngata didn't play every position at the same time.

 

At WR, don't be surprised if you see Waller go deep a few times.  I'm sure you love of being negative will chime in here but he came out as someone expected to only run deep and get jump balls in the endzone.  The coaches used him for anything but that on offense, forcing him to improve at the short routes.  I fully expect them to unleash him on the deep ball when the games matter.  Besides, WR play has never crippled this team.  With just one receiver in Mason and a bunch of bums, Baltimore fell below 10 games once.  With Torrey as the best receiver on the team and nobodies behind him, the team still didn't fall below 8 wins in 2013 (and that's with a garbage o-line also). 

 

Kick offs I'm not yet worried about.  Denver's altitude and kicker means touchbacks all game.  You don't risk trying to kick short because you think a team can't return it.  That's poor coaching.  A good set of blockers and even you could return a short kick past the 20.

 

A guy picking the Ravens to end at 5-11 shouldn't be telling others to stick to reality.

 

Waller? He wont even play in the Denver game and unless we have a couple injuries and probably wont catch a pass all season. Since when is challenging opponents weaknesses poor coaching. It's the same when a starting DB goes down to injury,  the very next play you can bet will be something throw in the back-ups direction. You are going to see Denver kicking balls they want returned  I 100% guarantee that's going to happen. I'm not even gonna bother replying about your Ngata statements. Nobody--NOBODY! -- at this stage on our roster can possibly fill the void he left behind.

[wizard1]

I severely doubt Perriman plays and I don't recall if Camp is fully healthy or not.  That's 1-2 right there.  You may be right though regardless.  I just hope the team would keep their only remaining deep threat active so we don't have to see that 2010 offense with slow or average speed possession receivers all over again

 

Unfortunately that's exactly the kind of offense we will see this year and is partly the reason I'm picking my team to go 5-11.

There too many top notch AFC teams this year and if you leave out the Steelers and the Bronco's who I believe are going to be average 9 and 7 teams you still have the Colts, Patriots, Chiefs and Bengals who I have winning their perspective divisions and you have the Chargers and Bills taking the wild cards.

[ravensfan2430]

Waller? He wont even play in the Denver game and unless we have a couple injuries and probably wont catch a pass all season. Since when is challenging opponents weaknesses poor coaching. It's the same when a starting DB goes down to injury,  the very next play you can bet will be something throw in the back-ups direction. You are going to see Denver kicking balls they want returned  I 100% guarantee that's going to happen. I'm not even gonna bother replying about your Ngata statements. Nobody--NOBODY! -- at this stage on our roster can possibly fill the void he left behind.

Ngata's best years are behind him. IMO he played his best football his first 5 years.  At this point in their careers, I would take Williams over Ngata.

[ravensfan2430]

Unfortunately that's exactly the kind of offense we will see this year and is partly the reason I'm picking my team to go 5-11.

There too many top notch AFC teams this year and if you leave out the Steelers and the Bronco's who I believe are going to be average 9 and 7 teams you still have the Colts, Patriots, Chiefs and Bengals who I have winning their perspective divisions and you have the Chargers and Bills taking the wild cards.

Bills are the third/fourth best team in that division.

[DomMcRaven]

Bills are the third/fourth best team in that division.

No worse than 3rd IMO.

[January J]

Right ! Let's talk after getting blown out in Denver and getting blindsided in Oakland. This team is not ready for prime time and I'm not sure why some people refuse to look at reality. I agree that Campanaro looks good when he is healthy but he almost never is. An unskilled unproven defensive line with no swagger? How can you endorse Carl Davis? He's never played a down in the NFL. Timmy Jernigan an upgrade from Haloti Ngata? That's just downright uncivilized. Who fills the gaps at WR? In what universe do we have a deep threat? Who's gonna field punts and return kick-offs? Maybe Pee Wee Herman is a free agent. And your kidding of course on kick-offs right? Don't you think opposing teams are gonna realize we don't have anyone back there and instead of touchbacks kick to the guy who is more of a threat to fumble? I like some of your insights but the AFC North might be the toughest division in football. There are some really good teams in the AFC period. Let's stick to reality.

lol not ready for prime time? No swagger? I'm not endorsing Carl Davis , I'm simply stating the facts, he was rated as the highest defender this preseason and it projected to be our top rookie, it's also clearly a fact that Jernigan and Brandon Williams are ascending and could possibly even make the probowl. Although it's debateable, I would argue that ngata is descending. Would take Brandon and Timmy over him anyday, esp for the amount of money we are saving. The d line will absolutely not be an issue , and it's almost laughable that your addressing that as an issue and not even mentioning the real possible issue which is the secondary. Which as long as we stay healthy I would argue is not really an issue either! Your bringing up the deep threat thing again and once again, in what UNIVERSE do the patriots have a deep threat? Also, nobody is going to not try to kick the ball as far just bc they think our returners aren't very good. And if they do , it will stop real quick when we burn them a few times for big run backs. We got rid of the liability asa Jackson, and I'm comfortable with camp on pr and Magee on KR. Edited September 8, 2015 by January J

[Purple_City39]

Waller? He wont even play in the Denver game and unless we have a couple injuries and probably wont catch a pass all season. Since when is challenging opponents weaknesses poor coaching. It's the same when a starting DB goes down to injury,  the very next play you can bet will be something throw in the back-ups direction. You are going to see Denver kicking balls they want returned  I 100% guarantee that's going to happen. I'm not even gonna bother replying about your Ngata statements. Nobody--NOBODY! -- at this stage on our roster can possibly fill the void he left behind.

Reading comprehension.  I never said anybody fills Ngata's void.  I did say Ngata leaving doesn't make the entire d-line "unproven and unskilled".  Arguing something I didn't say doesn't make you right.

 

And yes, if our offense will be as bad as you predict, then it would be poor coaching to not kick it out the endzone and force Baltimore to go 80 yards each time.  You're sitting here acting like it's a guarantee that the kick returner either runs to the 10 yard line and stops or fumbles each time.  But like the rest of us, you don't even know for sure who the returner is right now.  And for some reason you act like good blocking in the return game won't make even a mediocre return man look better

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Waller? He wont even play in the Denver game and unless we have a couple injuries and probably wont catch a pass all season. Since when is challenging opponents weaknesses poor coaching. It's the same when a starting DB goes down to injury, the very next play you can bet will be something throw in the back-ups direction. You are going to see Denver kicking balls they want returned I 100% guarantee that's going to happen. I'm not even gonna bother replying about your Ngata statements. Nobody--NOBODY! -- at this stage on our roster can possibly fill the void he left behind.

A fact is, when we lost Ngata for 4 games last season both our run defense and pass defense improved statistically.

That's a fact - and the only insight we have to life without Ngata.

[PoeDinkum]

While all teams have to deal with injuries as part of football, now more than ever it is obvious that injuries to our starters will sink this team like a stone. We don't have the depth nor the favorable schedule to overcome these things two years in a row. I can see a final record anywhere between a healthy 11-5 division winner to an injury plagued 7-9 third place for this team.

 

I do think they will be .500 at the bye, come back with 3 straight victories to give much needed hope to playoff dreams. However, we lose to Miami and Seattle, rebound against the Chiefs and are faced with division rivals to either win the division outright, make the playoffs as a wildcard or suffer losses to miss the playoffs.

 

While it would be easy and gain less negs to say we find a way to go 10-6 and make the playoffs, I am going on the record at 9-7 and missing the playoffs this year. I will be rooting for this team to prove me wrong, but I just have a bad feeling about this upcoming season.

 

Just wanted to be on the record and hope to eat crow. See you guys Sunday.

Edited September 9, 2015 by PoeDinkum

[ravensdfan]

Squisitos

Tacos.

 

I am a bit confused because this is titled an "Annual" prediction. I guess I missed last seasons prediction. Anyone remember it?

[Tru11]

A fact is, when we lost Ngata for 4 games last season both our run defense and pass defense improved statistically.

That's a fact - and the only insight we have to life without Ngata.

 

yeah playing the texans, dolphins, jags and browns probably had more to do with that.....

 

both browns and texans used QBs they signed off the streets prior to our game

jags had a rookie behind a bad o-line with no rbs and receivers.

dolphins had mr checkdown who cant throw a pass passed 10 yards lel.

 

at least be objective....

[wizard1]

yeah playing the texans, dolphins, jags and browns probably had more to do with that.....

 

both browns and texans used QBs they signed off the streets prior to our game

jags had a rookie behind a bad o-line with no rbs and receivers.

dolphins had mr checkdown who cant throw a pass passed 10 yards lel.

 

at least be objective....

 Objective is good but I should try to be more upbeat and positive.

 

How about IMO the Ravens have the best linebackers in football bar none!

[wizard1]

Tacos.

 

I am a bit confused because this is titled an "Annual" prediction. I guess I missed last seasons prediction. Anyone remember it?

 

I remember them all and I've only been totally wrong about 33% of the time so 2 outta 3 ain't bad.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

yeah playing the texans, dolphins, jags and browns probably had more to do with that.....

both browns and texans used QBs they signed off the streets prior to our game

jags had a rookie behind a bad o-line with no rbs and receivers.

dolphins had mr checkdown who cant throw a pass passed 10 yards lel.

at least be objective....

They're NFL teams.

Ngata played half his games against the Browns, Panthers, Bucs, Falcons, Saints and Titans.... Arguably a much worse slate of teams.

At least teams that put up worse performances.

Objectivity for ya.

[PerpetuallyBored74]

While all teams have to deal with injuries as part of football, now more than ever it is obvious that injuries to our starters will sink this team like a stone. We don't have the depth nor the favorable schedule to overcome these things two years in a row. I can see a final record anywhere between a healthy 11-5 division winner to an injury plagued 7-9 third place for this team.

 

I do think they will be .500 at the bye, come back with 3 straight victories to give much needed hope to playoff dreams. However, we lose to Miami and Seattle, rebound against the Chiefs and are faced with division rivals to either win the division outright, make the playoffs as a wildcard or suffer losses to miss the playoffs.

 

While it would be easy and gain less negs to say we find a way to go 10-6 and make the playoffs, I am going on the record at 9-7 and missing the playoffs this year. I will be rooting for this team to prove me wrong, but I just have a bad feeling about this upcoming season.

 

Just wanted to be on the record and hope to eat crow. See you guys Sunday.

 

I don't like all these injuries either. When have we gone into the season this banged up already?  And we have to play such a brutal schedule to begin the season when we're already thin at several positions because of these injuries. I think we start slow but finish strong and manage to reach 10-6 which will be enough for a wild card and maybe even to win the division.

[Moderator 3]

Tacos.

 

I am a bit confused because this is titled an "Annual" prediction. I guess I missed last seasons prediction. Anyone remember it?

Word. Let's get back to/stick to THIS year. Thank you.

[Gordo52]

Peter king predicts we'll lose to the Packers in SB50

Another one

@nfldraftscout: Ravens over Packers (prediction made in June)

Not comfortable with the love

Edited September 10, 2015 by Gordo52

[Tru11]

so any reason why the mods deleted my post?

[Moderator 3]

Word. Let's get back to/stick to THIS year. Thank you.

[ravensdfan]

I think this year will be tough. We have a very tough schedule in regards to travel - and all the usual suspects to face. We might not take the division (though that is my personal goal for this team) but I feel pretty certain of a playoff berth.

[funky141]

Wow, read the original OP. prediction..Now I can agree it will be a tough year but not 6-10.

 

Week 1 at Denver will be a loss

Week 2 at Oakland will be a win.

Week 3 Home Opener with Cincinnati will be a win

Week 4 At Pittsburgh will be a loss

Week 5 Cleveland at home will be a win.

Week 6 At Niners will be a win

Week 7 at Phoenix will be a loss

Week 8 San Diego at home will be a win

Week 9 Bye

Week 10 Jacksonville at home will be a win.

Week 11 St. Louis at home will be a win.

Week 12 at Cleveland will be a win

Week 13 at Miami will be a loss

Week 14 Seattle at home will be a loss.

Week 15 Kansas City at home will be a win

Week 16 Pittsburgh at home will be a win.

Week 17  at Cincinnati will be a loss

 

there a 10-6 finish..

[Bengal Billy]

To the OP:

As a lifelong Bengals fan, I appreciate your optimism for Cincy winning the division. However, I just don't see it.

Yes, the Bengals roster is stacked (particularly on offense). But, the most important position in football, the QB, is definitely the Bengals weakest link. Dalton: yeah, he can make plays when needed. But, he'll blow more plays during a game than anyone I've ever seen. He is a true choke artist. If the Bengals running game with Hill/Bernard shows up big and consistent, they'll be okay. Those guys, particularly Hill, have trouble fumbling the ball at very critical points of a game. So, we'll see.

The D-Line is still solid. Geno Atkins looks like he's recovered to pre-injury form (so far). The LBs aren't that great, and the backfield is getting long in the tooth except for Kirkpatrick, who I don't think is all that great anyway.

Anyway, Bengals are gonna "Bengal". They're frustrating. You can see how awesome that team could really be, but it never materializes. It's a tall order to ask them to make the playoffs for a 5th straight season, in a division that also houses the Ravens and Steelers, with Dalton and Marvin at the helm.

Dalton is 0-4 in the playoffs.

Marvin is 0-6 in the playoffs.

I think their time in Cincy is nearing the end if things don't turn around this season. Personally, I don't think it will.

My prediction for final AFCN standings:

1. Ravens

2. Steelers

3. Bengals

4. Browns

Hope I'm wrong about my team.

Anyway,,

Good Luck this season Raven fans! (except against Cincy of course, lol)

Edited September 10, 2015 by Bengal Billy

[DomMcRaven]

To the OP:

As a lifelong Bengals fan, I appreciate your optimism for Cincy winning the division. However, I just don't see it.

Yes, the Bengals roster is stacked (particularly on offense). But, the most important position in football, the QB, is definitely the Bengals weakest link. Dalton: yeah, he can make plays when needed. But, he'll blow more plays during a game than anyone I've ever seen. He is a true choke artist. If the Bengals running game with Hill/Bernard shows up big and consistent, they'll be okay. Those guys, particularly Hill, have trouble fumbling the ball at very critical points of a game. So, we'll see.

The D-Line is still solid. Geno Atkins looks like he's recovered to pre-injury form (so far). The LBs aren't that great, and the backfield is getting long in the tooth except for Kirkpatrick, who I don't think is all that great anyway.

Anyway, Bengals are gonna "Bengal". They're frustrating. You can see how awesome that team could really be, but it never materializes. It's a tall order to ask them to make the playoffs for a 5th straight season, in a division that also houses the Ravens and Steelers, with Dalton and Marvin at the helm.

Dalton is 0-4 in the playoffs.

Marvin is 0-6 in the playoffs.

I think their time in Cincy is nearing the end if things don't turn around this season. Personally, I don't think it will.

My prediction for final AFCN standings:

1. Ravens

2. Steelers

3. Bengals

4. Browns

Hope I'm wrong about my team.

Anyway,,

Good Luck this season Raven fans! (except against Cincy of course, lol)

Welcome to the Boards, BB! I actually have the division with the exact same standings as last year (with a slight difference in final records of course). At some point, when does the team say "Enough is enough?" You surely got the talent especially on offense. Anything can happen in the NFL though. That's all I got to say.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

An individual prediction:

Crockett Gillmore catches at least 8 TD passes and gets at least 500 yds receiving.

[JEEPercreepermd]

This is a 10-6 or 11-5 team.

AFC West

Den-1st round bye

KC

SD

Oak

AFC South

Indy

Hou

Jax

Ten

AFC East

NE-1st round bye

Buf-Wildcard

Mia

NYJ

AFC North

Ravens

Steelers-Wildcard

Bengals

Browns

[GrimCoconut]

Here are my predictions. Why not?

@ Denver = W

@ Oakland = W

vs. Cincinnati = W

@ Pittsburgh = W

vs. Cleveland = W

@ San Francisco = W

@ Arizona = L

vs. San Diego = W

vs. Jacksonville = W

vs. St. Louis = W

@ Cleveland = W

@ Miami = L

vs. Seattle = W

vs. Chiefs = W

vs. Pittsburgh = W

@ Cincinnati = L

Look 13-3 there we go! I based this prediction using the KFC secret recipe, combining it with some of McDonald's special Big Mac sauce, with a computer algorithm written in Java using a scientific interface that implements the brain of Walt Disney, Vince Lombardi, and Albert Einstein after consulting with Stephen Hawking and John Madden then plugging this special algorithm into Madden 16 and running it, which produced this result.