Article:AFC North Predictions - Are the Browns For Real?

The first in a series of NFL season previews, this is the AFC East. As we did last season, Whatifsports will utilize our NFL simulation technology, statistical research capabilities, up-to-the minute roster and depth chart information to preview the upcoming NFL season. We will look at each division before presenting final standings, fantasy and statistical leaders, award winners, playoff results and power rankings. This analysis is part of a broader endeavor with FOXSports.com's Fantasy Football.

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Today we will look at the AFC North. The article can also be found here, where you can find details on how we generate the results and the definition of the Absolute Record,

Cleveland Browns (10-6)
The team definitely improved its roster in the off-season. A brutal schedule should give the Browns about the same record as last year; but, now it is good enough for the division championship, Cleveland's first since 1989. The Browns average 25.8 points per game (#6 in the NFL) and allow 21.5 points (#11) against a schedule featuring eight games against 2007 playoff teams.

Absolute Record: 12-4

Most Significant Newcomer: Corey Williams, DL - The former Packer will likely lineup at end with newly acquired Shaun Rogers in the middle. Williams has an all-around game that is adept at stuffing the run and sacking the quarterback. He's a perfect 3-4 end. The season simulation gives Williams 41 total tackles and eight sacks.

Biggest Strength: Passing Game - Left tackle Joe Thomas helps to keep Derek Anderson upright long enough to hit play-making targets like Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow and Donte' Stallworth.

Most Exploitable Weakness: Depth - All three of those playmakers have histories with injuries (and attitude) and the cupboard is pretty bare behind them, so the passing game could quickly become a weakness if one of them goes down. The same could be said for just about every position on the team, especially at running back where an aging Jamal Lewis appears to be the only NFL-caliber back on the roster.

Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Eric Wright, CB - It's rare to go defensive player, but the offense is so star-driven that there are no sleepers there. Wright is a second-year corner out of UNLV who made 76 tackles last season. For 2008, we put him at 86 tackles and three interceptions.

Closest Game: @ Philadelphia (Week 15) - Hosting Pittsburgh in Week 2 and at Philly in December are two big swing games for this Browns team. If Cleveland is intent on contending this year and for years to come, it will need to play its best in games like these.

Fantasy Notables (fantasy rank at position in parentheses): Derek Anderson (5) 3,853 yards, 27 TDs, 15 INTs; Jamal Lewis (11) 1,488 total yards, 14 TDs; Braylon Edwards (2) 95 receptions, 1,400 yards, 9 TDs; Donte' Stallworth (50) 42 receptions, 640 yards, 5 TDs; Kellen Winslow II (2) 87 receptions, 1,035 yards, 7 TDs; Phil Dawson (19) 45/45 XPs, 25/30 FGs

Projected 2008 Results:


 * Week | Opponent | Win% | Avg Score |
 * 1 | Dallas Cowboys | 41 | 22-24 |
 * 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 51 | 24-18 |
 * 3 | @Baltimore Ravens | 74 | 28-21 |
 * 4 | @Cincinnati Bengals | 81 | 29-22 |
 * 6 | New York Giants | 35 | 22-25 |
 * 7 | @Washington Redskins | 63 | 26-23 |
 * 8 | @Jacksonville Jaguars | 57 | 22-22 |
 * 9 | Baltimore Ravens | 76 | 28-16 |
 * 10 | Denver Broncos | 74 | 32-19 |
 * 11 | @Buffalo Bills | 65 | 28-25 |
 * 12 | Houston Texans | 75 | 30-19 |
 * 13 | Indianapolis Colts | 45 | 25-27 |
 * 14 | @Tennessee Titans | 68 | 22-17 |
 * 15 | @Philadelphia Eagles | 51 | 21-20 |
 * 16 | Cincinnati Bengals | 81 | 32-16 |
 * 17 | @Pittsburgh Steelers | 42 | 20-28 |

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
It is not a bad season for the Steelers; they just do not quite make the playoffs. Pittsburgh actually has a fairly explosive offense for 2008, but the defense is not what it has been, the schedule is tough and the Browns are just a little better. The Steelers average 24.7 points per game (#13) and allow 23.2 points (#17) against a schedule featuring eight games against 2007 playoff teams.

Absolute Record: 10-6 - This would suggest that the team is actually better than the Buffalo Bills, which get a Wild Card due to a higher number of non-rounded expected wins, despite also rounding to a 9-7 record.

Most Significant Newcomer: Rashard Mendenhall, RB - This may not be a big breakout year for Mendenhall, but he looks like a future All-Pro and could still be an electric back as a sub and goalline specialist for Willie Parker. This analysis expects Mendenhall to total 1,008 yards from scrimmage and score 10 touchdowns.

Biggest Strength: Running Offense - Alan Faneca may be gone, but this team just added one of the most NFL-ready backs to come out of the draft in years to an attack that finished third in the NFL in rushing in 2007. Receiving deep threat Limas Sweed should also come in and help Santonio Holmes to keep defenses honest.

Most Exploitable Weakness: The Schedule - Again, this is not a bad team, nor a bad year. It is just a bad schedule (for the Steelers and their fans at least). For a team that won its division in a year when no other team from the division made the playoffs to have to play eight games against playoff opponents from the previous year is astounding. The AFC North plays a round-robin with both divisions in the league that placed three teams in the playoffs in 2007. Adding the Patriots and Chargers to the mix is torturous.

Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Santonio Holmes, WR - Everyone knows who he is, but this, his third season, should be the year that Holmes becomes one of fantasy football's elite receivers. Hines Ward will likely be limited again by age and nagging leg injuries, so Holmes needs to step up. We have him as the 13th best receiver with 65 receptions, 1,091 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.

Closest Game: @ Cleveland (Week 2) - Referenced in the Browns' write-up above, this could be the game that decides the AFC North crown - and it happens in September.

Fantasy Notables: Ben Roethlisberger (8) 3,455 yards, 23 TDs, 10 INTs; Willie Parker (13) 1,500 total yards, 12 TDs; Rashard Mendenhall (33) 1,008 total yards, 10 TDs; Santonio Holmes (13) 65 receptions, 1,091 yards, 7 TDs; Hines Ward (45) 64 receptions, 738 yards, 5 TDs; Heath Miller (9) 52 receptions, 613 yards, 4 TDs; Jeff Reed (11) 42/42 XPs, 26/34 FGs

Projected 2008 Results:


 * Week | Opponent | Win% | Avg Score |
 * 1 | Houston Texans | 69 | 27-15 |
 * 2 | @Cleveland Browns | 49 | 18-24 |
 * 3 | @Philadelphia Eagles | 54 | 24-23 |
 * 4 | Baltimore Ravens | 71 | 29-17 |
 * 5 | @Jacksonville Jaguars | 42 | 21-30 |
 * 7 | @Cincinnati Bengals | 67 | 28-25 |
 * 8 | New York Giants | 37 | 22-25 |
 * 9 | @Washington Redskins | 55 | 22-22 |
 * 10 | Indianapolis Colts | 33 | 25-28 |
 * 11 | San Diego Chargers | 52 | 27-21 |
 * 12 | Cincinnati Bengals | 66 | 30-19 |
 * 13 | @New England Patriots | 29 | 21-33 |
 * 14 | Dallas Cowboys | 37 | 24-28 |
 * 15 | @Baltimore Ravens | 62 | 25-21 |
 * 16 | @Tennessee Titans | 68 | 23-20 |
 * 17 | Cleveland Browns | 58 | 28-20 |

Baltimore Ravens (5-11)
The 2008 version of the Baltimore Ravens is almost exactly the same team that took the field in 2007. They went 5-11 in 2007 - and this is not a team that is "developing." They are simply getting older. The Ravens average 20.0 points per game (#28) and allow 27.2 points (#26) against a schedule featuring eight games against 2007 playoff teams.

Absolute Record: 2-14

Most Significant Newcomer: Ray Rice, RB - The former Rutgers standout is a potential workhorse back who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Willis McGahee needs protection. Ready or not, Rice should be that guy in 2008. In the simulated season, Rice totals 394 yards and scores four touchdowns.

Biggest Strength: Name Recognition - This defense, with Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Bart Scott, Trevor Pryce, Kelly Gregg, Terrell Suggs (probably) and others, sounds much better than it is. We will count that as a strength though, because the defense obviously has plenty of experience and good football IQ. It could easily dominate a few games.

Most Exploitable Weakness: Passing Game - Everyone knows that Joe Flacco is the Ravens' answer for the future of their passing attack, but very few people know what that means for 2008. In this analysis, it means that Flacco, Kyle Boller and Troy Smith combine to throw 20 interceptions, while Derrick Mason watches another year of his career pass by.

Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Joe Flacco, QB - When he gets a chance to play later in the season, the Ravens will likely be behind often and have to throw the ball. Expect some mistakes, but he is a definite upgrade over Kyle Boller. In nine starts, the sim gives Flacco 2,094 yards, 12 TDs and nine interceptions. That's 3,722 yards, 21 TDs and 16 interceptions over a 16 game season. Sounds like a step in the right direction.

Closest Game: @ Houston (Week 2) - Both of these teams may be looking for their identities all year. A statistical dead heat in winning percentage, the team that prevails may ultimately be the one with the greater future.

Fantasy Notables: Joe Flacco (28) 2,094 yards, 12 TDs, 9 INTs; Willis McGahee (20) 1,456 yards, 11 TDs; Derrick Mason (32) 82 receptions, 870 yards, 6 TDs; Mark Clayton (39) 75 receptions, 832 yards, 4 TDs; Todd Heap (6) 71 receptions, 764 yards, 4 TDs; Matt Stover (22) 34/34 XPs, 26/29 FGs

Projected 2008 Results:


 * Week | Opponent | Win% | Avg Score |
 * 1 | Cincinnati Bengals | 45 | 24-26 |
 * 2 | @Houston Texans | 50 | 19-24 |
 * 3 | Cleveland Browns | 26 | 21-28 |
 * 4 | @Pittsburgh Steelers | 29 | 17-29 |
 * 5 | Tennessee Titans | 49 | 20-19 |
 * 6 | @Indianapolis Colts | 11 | 17-35 |
 * 7 | @Miami Dolphins | 43 | 19-28 |
 * 8 | Oakland Raiders | 67 | 29-19 |
 * 9 | @Cleveland Browns | 23 | 16-28 |
 * 11 | @New York Giants | 17 | 16-29 |
 * 12 | Philadelphia Eagles | 24 | 19-26 |
 * 13 | @Cincinnati Bengals | 53 | 27-26 |
 * 14 | Washington Redskins | 20 | 20-28 |
 * 15 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 38 | 21-25 |
 * 16 | @Dallas Cowboys | 8 | 16-40 |
 * 17 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 33 | 20-26 |

Cincinnati Bengals (5-11)
Off the field issues - not just criminally, but in the locker room, the front office and in scouting - have caught back up with this franchise that has only made the playoffs once in the last 17 years. The truth is, Carson Palmer is capable of leading a team to a deep playoff run and it may just happen with the Bengals some season. The defense is too inexperienced and the running game has too many question marks for that season to be 2008. The Bengals average 22.2 points per game (#19) and allow 29.2 points (#31) against a schedule featuring eight games against 2007 playoff teams.

Absolute Record: 2-14 - Winning the first and last games of the season.

Most Significant Newcomer: Keith Rivers, LB - If Chad Johnson does not play all year for the Bengals, this could easily be Ben Utecht. For now though, we will highlight Rivers who has been tabbed to lead this defense in the same manner that fellow USC Trojan, Carson Palmer, has led the offense. Rivers will be one of the more productive rookies in 2008 with 109 total tackles and a sack. He and Jerod Mayo of New England should vie for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Biggest Strength: Palmer - Carson Palmer seems to have "it." And he could use "it" to the fullest if he gets time in the pocket, has any semblance of a running game and has two or three NFL-caliber, healthy receivers on the field with him at all times.

Most Exploitable Weakness: Defense - One of the worst all-around defenses from 2007 has lost its three most productive players - Justin Smith (DE, SF), Madieu Williams (S, MIN) and Landon Johnson (LB, CAR) - so it is hard not to pick on the whole unit. Linebackers Rashad Jeanty and Ahmad Brooks have shown some good signs, yet neither can stay on the field. Deltha O'Neal, Dexter Jackson, Dhani Jones and John Thornton are all veterans who have had a good year or two each, but none has really stood out as a consistently, above-average NFL player. So, the defense is in the hands of a bunch of kids like Rivers, Jonathan Joseph, Leon Hall, Robert Geathers and Domata Peko who may or may not be in over their heads.

Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Ben Utecht, TE - Carson Palmer has rarely used the tight end in Cincinnati, but now the Bengals actually have one who has produced elsewhere. Utecht's numbers are largely contingent on the play of the wide receivers, but he should get at least 31 catches for 366 yards and three TDs (as he does in the simulated season). Rookie WRs Jerome Simpson or Andre Caldwell could be turned to fill Chris Henry and/or Chad Johnson's voids as well. On the flip side, it is wise to stay away from all Cincinnati RBs.

Closest Game: Baltimore (Week 13) - The two bad teams in the AFC North look to split the regular season series. By now, Joe Flacco should be starting for Baltimore, so it will be a better team and a tougher opponent than in Week 1.

Fantasy Notables: Carson Palmer (6) 4,061 yards, 27 TDs, 17 INTs; Rudi Johnson (37) 949 total yards, 6 TDs; T.J. Houshmandzadeh (9) 114 receptions, 1,217 yards, 7 TDs; Chad Johnson (21) 67 receptions, 1,002 yards, 6 TDs; Ben Utecht (21) 31 receptions, 336 yards, 3 TDs; Shayne Graham (18) 38/38 XPs, 26/31 FGs

Projected 2008 Results:


 * Week | Opponent | Win% | Avg Score |
 * 1 | @Baltimore Ravens | 55 | 26-24 |
 * 2 | Tennessee Titans | 45 | 23-24 |
 * 3 | @New York Giants | 19 | 17-32 |
 * 4 | Cleveland Browns | 18 | 22-29 |
 * 5 | @Dallas Cowboys | 8 | 17-39 |
 * 6 | @New York Jets | 36 | 24-32 |
 * 7 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 33 | 25-28 |
 * 9 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 35 | 25-29 |
 * 10 | @Houston Texans | 35 | 23-34 |
 * 11 | Philadelphia Eagles | 27 | 21-26 |
 * 12 | @Pittsburgh Steelers | 34 | 19-30 |
 * 13 | Baltimore Ravens | 47 | 26-27 |
 * 14 | @Indianapolis Colts | 15 | 19-35 |
 * 15 | Washington Redskins | 29 | 22-28 |
 * 16 | @Cleveland Browns | 19 | 16-32 |
 * 17 | Kansas City Chiefs | 69 | 28-17 |

Click here to view a schedule of 2008 NFL previews and see others that have been posted. The AFC East preview on Armchair can be found here.

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