Tim Benz: AFC North media members are bullish on prospects for Ravens, Browns, even Bengals
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As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the start of the 2021 season in Buffalo on Sunday, it seems like a good idea to check in with their competition within the AFC North.
To do that, I got in touch with some media colleagues in each city to get their perspectives from Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
During Wednesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, we looked at the biggest strength for each team, one big question facing each franchise and how they will fare against the Bet Rivers over/under win total, and we get a big picture prediction on how the season will go.
For the most part, those media members in other AFC cities appear bullish on their hometown clubs.
Baltimore Ravens
(Jeremy Conn/105.7 The Fan in Baltimore)
One big strength: The back end of the defense.
“(Defensive coordinator) Wink (Martindale)’s ability to devise blitz schemes is going to be beneficial, and I think the Ravens have one of the best secondaries in football, if not the best,” Conn said.
Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters were both All-Pros as recently as 2019.
One big concern: Can Gus Edwards carry the load as a lead running back with J.K. Dobbins out for the year?
“I think Gus Edwards is fine to fill in,” Conn said. “The one question people have about him, he looks like a big, bruising back who averages five yards per carry. But let’s be honest. He has only carried the ball 144 times in one season. Even though he looks like a guy that can carry that load. We won’t know until we see it.”
Bet Rivers over/under 10.5 wins: “I’ve been saying 12-5. So if it is 10.5, I like it at 11,” Conn said. “I think it goes over that total.”
The big picture: “I think they are going to be at the top of this division,” Conn said. “Even with some of the questions early that I have about this team. Maybe they are built for the regular season. Their ability to run. And I think this defense is going to be really good. Even if this pass rush doesn’t live up to what I think it can be. … With the running game and the defense, I’ll trust that to win the division. That would be the best bet for me. But I like a flyer on them to go to the Super Bowl and win the AFC.”
Cleveland Browns
(Kenny Roda/1480 WHBC in Canton, Ohio)
One big strength: The run game.
“I think they have the best offensive line in football,” Roda said. “You bookend it with Jedrick Wills and (Jack) Conklin. (J.C.) Tretter is one of the best centers in the league. And I think they have the two best guards to go with the two best running backs in football. (Joel) Bitonio and (Wyatt) Teller at guards, and Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb. They are going to be the key to the Browns’ success this year.”
Roda said the biggest benefit of that run game might be how much it aids quarterback Baker Mayfield in play action.
One big concern: “It might be kicker,” Roda said.
It now appears Chase McLaughlin will start the season with the job. McLaughlin was in a battle with incumbent kicker Cody Parkey in camp. Parkey injured his quad and was waived. So McLaughlin may have gotten the job by default.
The Browns added Chris Naggar to their practice squad this week.
That said, Roda also pointed to numerous preseason injuries impacting talented young players in the back half of the defense such as linebacker Jacob Phillips and secondary players Grant Delpit, Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward.
Bet Rivers over/under 10.5 wins: “I have them going 11-6,” Roda said. “So if I was betting on that, I would bet the over based on that 17th regular season game. But I think they are going to be the team that wins the division at 11-6 on a tiebreaker with Baltimore.”
The big picture: “They are on the rise,” Roda said. “I expect them to get a step further than they were last year. That’s the AFC Championship Game. They should’ve beaten Kansas City last year (in the second round of the playoffs). Failed to do so. I think they gained experience. Upgraded their defense. And I expect them to get at least to the AFC Championship Game.”
Cincinnati Bengals
(Chris Rolling/Bengals Wire — USA Today)
Biggest strength: I’d say it’s wide receiver depth with the likes of Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and rookie Ja’Marr Chase. But if you are looking for the biggest area of improvement, Rolling suggested checking out the pass rush.
“After a couple years of roster turnover, (defensive coordinator) Lou Anarumo has the guys he wants for his scheme. Guys like Trey Hendrickson are going to kick inside in certain packages. They are sending guys like (former Steeler Mike) Hilton. It’s really been a remarkable thing to watch compared to last year’s zero pass rush,” Rolling said.
Well, the pass rush better improve. It can’t be much worse. Cincy finished last in the NFL with 17 sacks during the 2020 season.
Biggest concern: I was expecting Rolling’s answer to be the offensive line. But he went went with a position group on defense.
“I would say cornerback,” Rolling stated. “They signed Trae Waynes last year at three years and $42 million. He got hurt training before training camp even started. Missed the whole year. He looked OK in camp this year. And now he has got a hamstring issue. He’s already ruled out in Week 1 against a Justin Jefferson-led Vikings team. That’s going to be a problem.”
Bet Rivers over/under 6.5 wins: “I would go with the over,” Rolling said. “Right around seven, if everyone stays healthy up front.”
The big picture: “I think they can fight for third place,” Rolling said. “I don’t think we are looking at a double-digit win thing here and a remarkable run to the playoffs. (Head coach) Zac Taylor has won six games in two years. The big thing now is actually showing the city improvement.”