My 2012 NFL Predictions - AFC North

     The AFC North has been considered one of the toughest divisions in football the last decade due to the defensive powerhouses of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals have enjoyed on and off success over the past decade, while the Browns have enjoyed a lot of un-success! The Bengals have been considered by many to have had the best draft, taking Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick -- (Chris pauses to watch Jesus Montero homer to right field at Yankee Stadium) -- and offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, a big guy out of Wisconsin. The Steelers have also been on plenty of those lists after taking top ranked offensive guard David DeCastro out of Stanford and offensive tackle Mike Adams out of Ohio State. I think all of these teams, including the Browns, have a chance to be successful from year to year. However, I have predicted 2012 to be a weak year for the Bengals and Browns, a mediocre year for the Ravens, and a pretty successful year for the Steelers. Here are the details:

Baltimore Ravens - (9-7)

     Now what I have happening to the Ravens is probably one of the cruelest outcomes of a season in recent history. The series of events I have happening in Baltimore is one that usually is only possible if all of the starters get injured at once. But hey, anything is possible. I looked at the Ravens schedule and realized that they have a pretty easy first half. I believe they can start of 9-0. Yes folks, that is Joe Flacco and Co. winning nine games in a row, the first nine games of the season. That means being (quite possibly) the only undefeated team left, only nine games into the season. That means a victory at Philadelphia, a win against the Patriots, and a win in Houston. It isn't too crazy to think that, considering it is the Ravens, and they find ways to win games in tough situations. However, I look at the last seven games of their schedule, and I have assigned seven losses for the Ravens to end the season at 9-7. Now I believe the chance of this actually happening is probably less than 1%. But at the same time, the scenario seems possible when you look at the schedule. The last games are as follows: the first of two games against Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh (a great way to start a losing streak), a game in sunny San Diego (a team the Ravens should beat, but the Chargers could be better this year), the Steelers against at home, the RG3-led Washington Redskins in Washington (accounts for more of a rivalry than most realize, and I have RG3 making a big impact this year), a home game hosting the Manning-led Broncos, a home game against the world champion Giants, and an away game against division rival Cincinnati. I assigned all of those games as losses for the Ravens based on complete mishaps by Joe Flacco (to be expected), lack of late season production in 2012 by Ray Rice, and a slowing defense led by aging Ray Lewis and (possibly) Ed Reed.

Wins - vs. Bengals, @ Eagles, vs. Patriots, vs. Browns, @ Chiefs, vs. Cowboys, @ Texans, @ Browns, vs. Raiders

Losses - @ Steelers, @ Chargers, vs. Steelers, @ Redskins, vs. Broncos, vs. Giants, @ Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals - (6-10)

     This may come as a surprise to some, but despite the playoff appearance in 2011 by Cincinnati, I am not sold by Andy Dalton and I am not sold by the Cincinnati Bengals, no matter who they draft. They have gotten some talented young guys, such as A.J. Green, Dre Kirkpatrick, Zeitler on the line, and Mohamed Sanu, but the Bengals are coached by Marvin Lewis, who in my opinion, is not a very good or smart coach. The Bengals play a fairly easy schedule on paper, but I see them losing the games against other teams that are trying to make the wild card, such as Dallas and Kansas City.

Wins - vs. Browns, @ Jaguars, vs. Dolphins, @ Browns, vs. Raiders, vs. Ravens

Losses - @ Ravens, @ Redskins, vs. Steelers, vs. Broncos, vs. Giants, @ Chiefs, @ Chargers, vs. Cowboys, @ Eagles, @ Steelers

Cleveland Browns - (2-14)

     The Browns drafted another transition type quarterback that they will try to make into a franchise quarterback in Brandon Weeden. I would be surprised if Weeden succeeds in the NFL, yet alone with the Browns. It could happen, as he displayed some awesome skills at Oklahome State, but I highly doubt it, especially being thrown into a system like Cleveland. Cleveland plays a tough division, along with the NFC East and a growing AFC West. Look for Trent Richardson to be key factors in the two wins I have the Browns getting.

Wins - vs. Eagles, @ Colts

Losses - @ Bengals, vs. Bills, @ Ravens, @ Giants, vs. Bengals, vs. Chargers, vs. Ravens, @ Cowboys, vs. Steelers, @ Raiders, vs. Chiefs, vs. Redskins, @ Broncos, @ Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers - (12-4)

     The Steelers will not need to beat a whole lot of great teams in order to achieve a 12-4 record, but I do have them beating the Giants and sweeping the Steelers, which are arguably the 3 toughest games on their schedules. With a slowing defense and an uncertainty with the offensive weapons after the retirement of Hines Ward, I find the Steelers coming up shorthanded on a few games. The defense will continue to impress, just not at as high of a level as it has in recent years.

Wins - vs. Jets, vs. Eagles, @ Titans, @ Bengals, vs. Redskins, @ Giants, vs. Ravens, @ Browns, @ Ravens, @ Cowboys, vs. Bengals, vs. Browns

Losses - @ Broncos, @ Raiders, vs. Chiefs, vs. Chargers