Pittsburgh Steelers

Welcome back to Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 NFL season. Last time, we looked at the teams in the AFC and NFC East divisions. If you missed it, click HERE. We’re still having some trouble with the voting option, but hopefully it will be fixed soon.  Today, we’ll be covering the North divisions, so let’s get to it.

 

 

 BALTIMORE RAVENS

LAST SEASON: 8-8, TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS

2014 PREVIEW: After a disappointing 2013, the Ravens look to get back on track and a few key free agent signings will give QB Joe Flacco more options. The running game was dreadful last year and if you haven’t heard, Ray Rice will miss the first two games of the season due to his suspension (don’t even get me started on that fiasco). Bernard Pierce will be the lead back in his absence. However, the offense this year may come through the air. The signing of longtime Panther Steve Smith is huge. If you’ve ever listened to him talk, then you know he thrives in situations in which people tell him he can’t do something. At 35, he’ll be looking to prove he’s got some gas left in the tank. With speedster Torrey Smith on the other side, and Owen Daniels and Dennis Pitts at the tight ends, you may see more passes this year from Flacco.

Baltimore fans are still getting used to not seeing Ray Lewis and Ed Reed dominating the defensive side of the ball, but the Ravens still have some good players. Terrell Suggs can still get to the quarterback and Elvis Dumervil is proving to be a nice pickup as well. Ravens football may look a little different these days, but I expect them to contend for this division.

 

 CINCINNATI BENGALS

LAST SEASON: 11-5, WON THE AFC NORTH, LOST IN THE WILD CARD ROUND TO THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

2014 PREVIEW: So QB Andy Dalton got the big money contract. The question is whether or not he can live up to it. Don’t get me wrong, I think Dalton is a very efficient quarterback, but he’s not even close to being in that top tier. He’s also lost his offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden, who’s gone on to be the head coach in Washington, so he’ll have to learn a new system as well. A.J. Green is his best option to throw to, but I think this season, he’ll be handing the ball off a little more. Giovani Bernard is still young, but is very exciting to watch, and second-round pick Jeremy Hill will get his share of touches as well.

The defense is still very solid. However, much like the offense, they’ll have to get used to a new coordinator, as Mike Zimmer took the head coaching job in Minnesota. They’ve lost a few players to injury and free agency, but their 4-3 package is one of the best in football. The Bengals have made the playoffs for three straight seasons. If they can figure out all the new things they’re trying to do, they’ll be in a position to contend in this division.

 

 CLEVELAND BROWNS

LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED 4TH IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS

2014 PREVIEW: The big question here is obvious. How many games will it take before Johnny Manziel takes over the starting quarterback job? While Brian Hoyer is more experienced, Manziel will continue to get the press. But no matter who the quarterback is, who are they throwing to? The talented yet moronic Josh Gordon is lost for the entire year due to another drug-related issue, leaving Miles Austin as perhaps the best option, and that’s if he can stay healthy. The run game is decent, however, with Ben Tate running behind a good offensive line.

The defense is going to have to try to keep the Browns in games. They’ve got a solid ground defense as Jabaal Sheard can get to the quarterback and Paul Kruger can stop the run. On the outside, you’ve got Joe Haden and rookie Justin Gilbert, but I just don’t think the Browns have enough quite yet. If they do improve upon the four wins they got last year, it won’t be by much.

 

 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS

2014 PREVIEW: A .500 record doesn’t sit well with Steelers fans and I’m looking for Pittsburgh to get back to the smashmouth style that defined them for years. One of the reasons for that is that Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t have an upper level wideout to throw to. Antonio Brown is efficient enough, as is newly acquired Lance Moore, but I think they’ll rely heavy on Le’Veon Bell out of the backfield. I will say that Big Ben has become a lot smarter in the way he approaches a game, and it will certainly help this offense.

Always the staple in the Steel City, defense will play a big part in Pittsburgh’s success this season. Troy Polamalu is still the big name here, but others are vying for that top spot. Lawrence Timmons is proving to be a great linebacker, both against the run and the pass. They drafted Ryan Shazier from Ohio State, and Jarvis Jones is crazy athletic. Overall, I think the Steelers are well balanced, and their continuing rivalry with the Ravens should make this a very interesting division race.

 

 

 

 CHICAGO BEARS

LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS

2014 PREVIEW: This is another case of the often criticized quarterback getting the big contract, and Bears fans seem to be torn on Jay Cutler. You can’t deny the big arm as it may be the strongest in football, and you can’t deny the weapons he has. Alshon Jeffery has become a dangerous threat, which should open the door for Brandon Marshall to play one-on-one a little more. Anchored by Kyle Long, the offensive line should give Cutler plenty of time to throw and provide some room for Matt Forte to sliver through. If these pieces can stay healthy, Chicago could have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL.

The health issue was a major problem for the defense last year. D.J. Williams and Lance Briggs combined to start thirteen games last year, not what you want from your linebackers. The defensive line will have a completely different look to it, with the biggest signing being Jared Allen, who surprised everyone by accepting the Bears’ offer. Cornerback Charles Tillman can still produce on the outside and will look to mentor first-round pick Kyle Fuller. The Bears have the talent. The question will be if this is the year they can finally put it all together.

 

 DETROIT LIONS

LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED 3RD IN THE NFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS

2014 PREVIEW: A new offensive system in Detroit will define the season for the Lions. They’re another team that has talented skill players. QB Matthew Stafford is still trying to live up to his full potential. Luckily, he has the best wide receiver in football to throw the ball to. Calvin Johnson remains the biggest threat in the NFL and combined with a solid 1-2 in the backfield in Reggie Bush and Joique Bell, the Lions will put up some points.

The problem they have is much like the problem the Dallas Cowboys have. They can’t stop anybody. Sure, Ndamukong Suh is a beast, albeit a dirty one, but until some of these first-round picks can learn how to play in this league, Detroit will hover around that .500 mark for a while.

 

 GREEN BAY PACKERS

LAST SEASON: 8-7-1, WON THE NFC NORTH, LOST WILD CARD ROUND TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

2014 PREVIEW: As someone who roots for the Cowboys, but also pulls for Chicago, it pains me to say that the Packers are going to be really good. The Packers won the division last year, even with QB Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines for seven weeks with a broken collarbone. They did so by pounding the football with the surprising Eddie Lacy, who will become an even bigger force this season. All that’s going to do is open up the passing lanes for a fully healthy Rodgers. With Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to get the ball to, expect an MVP type of season from Aaron Rodgers.

The defense should be pretty solid as well. They brought in Julius Peppers to fill a void at defensive end, and resigned cornerback Sam Shields to a hefty contract, and in this division, you need a great corner to match up with guys like Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall. As I said above, if the Bears can stay healthy, they’ll compete, but I still have to believe that the Packers are the slight favorite in this division.

 

 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LAST SEASON: 5-10-1, FINISHED 4TH IN THE NFC NORTH

2014 PREVIEW: Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is going to have to wait his turn as he’ll spend his time with a clipboard watching Matt Cassel control this offense that has Adrian Petersen and not much else. Norv Turner is going to have to work some of his magic for this offense to thrive.

There’s not much to say about this Vikings defense either. Rookie linebacker Anthony Barr could be fun to watch, but do the names Linval Joseph, Fred Evans, and Sharrif Floyd really get Vikings fans excited? Expect another season like last year.

 

Okay, we’re halfway there. Next time we’ll be looking at teams from the South. So if you or someone you know is a fan of the Panthers, Saints, Falcons, Bucs, Colts, Titans, Jags, or Titans, make sure to check back with Binge Media Sports for all your NFL needs. When we’re up and running with the vote, who are you going with in the North? Let me know why @THElukenorris.