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2015 NFL Preview: AFC North
By: Staff Writer - StatFox
Published: 8/19/2015  at  4:36:00 PM
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2015 NFL Preview: AFC North

To get you prepared for the upcoming NFL season, we’ll be previewing every division in the league and the next one up is the AFC North:

BALTIMORE RAVENS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-7
ATS Record: 10-8
Over/Under: 8-9-1
Points Scored: 26.1 PPG (8th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 19.7 PPG (7th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 18/1

2015 Preview:
Part of last year’s running game resurgence was the upgrade from Ray Rice to the older but fresher Justin Forsett. But most of it was improved play from a line that started to meld in their second year of a zone-heavy scheme. Despite the change from Gary Kubiak to new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, the Ravens figure to have a similar system up front—and enjoy similar success—with incumbent offensive line coach Juan Castillo still in town. Trestman will bring changes to the passing game; gone are the play-actions and bootlegs of Kubiak’s scheme. Quarterback Joe Flacco will stay in the pocket more often, but like he did in Kubiak’s offense, Flacco will be asked to distribute the ball quickly in a system predicated on timing. The Ravens didn’t lose much defensively this offseason, but they did add FS Kendrick Lewis, who had three interceptions and two forced fumbles for the Texans in 2014. The strength of this unit is a front seven that finished tied for second in the NFL in sacks last season.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 10-6-1
ATS Record: 8-8-1
Over/Under: 6-11
Points Scored: 22.1 PPG (t-15th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 21.8 PPG (13th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 45/1

2015 Preview:
Second-year offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has the power running game he always wanted. The Bengals have a big line that thrives in Jackson’s gap-blocking scheme, and they now have a true power back in Jeremy Hill. Hill should get the bulk of the early-down snaps in Cincy; the only thing that would change that is ball-security issues. Giovani Bernard should take all passing-down snaps, and he’ll still be sprinkled in as an early-down change-of-pace back, especially early in the first half of games. Jackson has done his best to take Andy Dalton out of the equation, and they’ll continue to go run-heavy this season. Dalton will continue to throw a lot of contested deep balls to A.J. Green. The Bengals signed DE Michael Johnson, who rejoins the team after having been a major disappointment in Tampa Bay last year. Johnson will be counted on to help bolster a front seven that sacked opposing quarterbacks only 20 times last season (after having done so 43 times in 2013).

CLEVELAND BROWNS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-9
ATS Record: 9-6-1
Over/Under: 5-11
Points Scored: 18.7 PPG (27th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 21.1 PPG (9th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 125/1

2015 Preview:
New offensive coordinator John DeFilippo comes over from Oakland and this is going to be an offense centered on the run—offensive line coach Andy Moeller has a solid veteran unit to execute the Raiders’ zone-blocking scheme. They preferred Terrance West a year ago, but Isaiah Crowell outplayed West and could be in for a bigger workload on early downs with West taking passing downs. Rookie Duke Johnson is a change-of-pace speedster who could force his way into the rotation. Like departed coordinator Kyle Shanahan, DeFilippo is a West Coast disciple. Dwayne Bowe arrives from Kansas City as a possession receiver while Brian Hartline will serve primarily as a deep threat. They won’t throw often once they venture deep into opponents’ territory, especially considering the frequency with which likely starting quarterback Josh McCown turned the ball over in Tampa last year. The Browns tied for fourth in the NFL with 29 takeaways last season. Their signing of CB Tramon Williams signals a lack of faith in CB Justin Gilbert, the 2014 draft’s eighth overall pick, following his atrocious rookie year. DT Danny Shelton, this year’s 12th overall pick, should help against the run.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-6
ATS Record: 9-8
Over/Under: 9-7-1
Points Scored: 26.6 PPG (7th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 23.4 PPG (t-20th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 22/1

2015 Preview:
Offensive line coach Mike Munchak, formerly the Titans’ head man, seemed to make an enormous difference with the Steelers’ relatively new zone blocking scheme last season—though having a relatively healthy offensive line certainly helped. Le’Veon Bell is the workhorse, as his unique, patient running style has meshed perfectly with the big boys up front. He’s facing a two-game suspension to start the season, during which the Steelers are likely looking at a committee approach led by DeAngelo Williams. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley emphasizes quicker timing routes in order to keep quarterback Ben Roethlisberger from absorbing too many hits. Antonio Brown is obviously the No. 1, showing excellent chemistry with Roethlisberger on option routes and moving all over the field to find mismatches. Martavis Bryant is in for a bigger role after breaking out in the second half of 2014. With Dick LeBeau having departed for Tennessee, the Steelers have a new defensive coordinator for the first time since 2004. The retirements of SS Troy Polamalu and CB Ike Taylor leave an inexperienced secondary for new coordinator Keith Butler, who had been Pittsburgh’s linebackers coach since 2003.


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