To Bucky Brooks
FOX Sports NFL Analyst
The Bengals are looking to prove last season was no fluke. Cincinnati can certainly host another Super Bowl, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that. Joe Barrow & Co. wins the AFC North. Hardliners stand in the way in Baltimore. Let’s dive into my predictions for this gritty, evenly matched department.
Baltimore Ravens
John Harbaugh’s team is a gritty unit that nearly overcame numerous injuries to secure a playoff spot in 2021. The return of an all-star talented cast (Lamar Jackson, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Ronnie Stanley) is expected. Depending on the lineup, the Ravens could resurface as title contenders without tweaking their winning formula (running game + defense + special teams = win).
Power: The Ravens’ multifaceted running game poses problems for opponents with a hodgepodge of gap scheme runs, option plays, and engineered quarterback running plays that offensive coordinator Greg Roman throws at opponents. Lamar Jackson spearheads the offense as a dynamic dual-threat playmaker with explosive speed and Houdini-like borderline moves. With running backs such as JK Dobbins, Kenyan Drake, Mike Davis, and Justice Hill, the Ravens’ running game overwhelms opponents with a flurry of blows to the body over four quarters.
Weaknesses: Can Jackson throw enough to win a game in the playoffs? It all depends on whether the number 8 can play enough in the passing game to keep opponents from cramming in the box and slowing down the team’s vaunted rushing attack.
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Breakout Player: It’s hard to suggest that the Ravens’ wideout is a breakout candidate, but former first-round pick Rashod Bateman should be a playmaker to watch in the passing game. Tight end Mark Andrews is arguably the number one option in the passing game, but Bateman should enjoy one-on-one coverage with all eyes on the 89th and the Ravens’ running game.
Win/Loss Prediction: 12-5
Cincinnati Bengals
Don’t mistake Bengals for a Cinderella story. Zack Taylor’s team is filled with his 5-star playmakers with individual and collective talents that overwhelm opponents from snaps to buzzers. Joe Burrow leads the charge as a super-cool competitor with the confidence and coolness to direct a fast-breaking offense that lights up scoreboards across the league.
With an upgraded offensive line expected to keep him upright and protected in his pockets, the MVP candidate could help the Bengals’ offense become more explosive this season. The Bengals could make another run in the Super Bowl if they continue to bring in key stops and timely turnovers.
Power: The Bengals’ fast-breaking offense lights up scoreboards across the league with a playmaker’s ability to score buckets against any coverage. Few defenses have enough speed and talent to house a group of wideouts who can score from anywhere on the field with his ball combination of quick passes and deeps that will rock the defensive coordinator. With Joe Mixon adding balance and punch to the offense, Taylor assembled an unstoppable offensive juggernaut to keep the Bengals in contention for the title.
Weaknesses: It’s hard to predict how long it will take an offensive line of four new starters to develop the chemistry and connectivity needed to control the line of scrimmage against elite opponents. Taylor needs a new quintet of Jonah Williams, Cordell Volson, Ted Karas, Alex Kappa, and Rael Collins, and quickly finds a rhythm as Burrow’s bodyguard. This allows franchise his players to break the spirit of their opponents with spectacular play. If the front line finds a way early in the season, there’s no reason the Bengals can’t win back-to-back division titles in the AFC North, where the best teams are from top to bottom.
Breakout Player: Former first-round pick Hayden Hurst should see a lot of balls head his direction as a safety valve for Burrow in the passing game. increase.
Win/Loss Prediction: 11-6
cleveland browns
Deshawn Watson’s suspension looks like a Super Bowl-sized roster on paper, but it will likely kill the Browns’ chances of a playoff run. Jacoby Brissett has won a lot as a starter, but it’s hard to count on a long-term sub to lead even the most talented teams to the playoffs. ‘s tough running game can carry the load, but Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt need seasoned quarterbacks to make enough throws to loosen the box. Without a passing game to balance their pounding offense, the Browns could struggle to score points against top defenses.
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Strengths: The Browns can win many games with their dominant running game and devastating defense. The combined talents of Chubb and Hunt will allow the Browns to shorten the game behind a “three yards and a cloud of dust” approach, but Myles Garrett & Co. will suffocate to keep the game close. We need to hold our own as a defensive unit to do.Q4. If the Browns excel at complementary football, it can make life miserable for opponents who are ill-equipped to deal with their physical prowess and toughness at the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses: Stefanski delves into his playbook to come up with a plan that will help Brisset play solid football as a starter. was a good game manager, but the Browns wideout will have to step up each game so the No. 7 can play well. impacting offensive production that requires high-end quarterbacks to compete with the heavyweights in the United States.
Breakout Player: Amari Cooper is undoubtedly the Browns’ WR1, while Donovan Peoples-Jones could emerge as a complementary pass catcher on the backside. The 6’2″, 204-pounder has the size and speed to create big plays on vertical routes along the perimeter. Additionally, Peoples-Jones is his 50-50 ball his specialist, with strong hands and jumping ability to overwhelm smaller defenders on the perimeter.
Win/Loss Prediction: 8-9
Pittsburgh Steelers
After a successful career, Ben Roethlisberger has retired, marking the end of Pittsburgh’s days. With Big Ben unable to lead by example as his two-time Super Bowl winner, the Steelers need to organically develop a new leader while also building an offense around a new quarterback. there is. Introducing his new QB1 could see the Steelers return to an old-fashioned approach that has worked well in the past, but ultimately the new quarterback’s play will determine who the team is in the competitive division. Just decide what works for you.
Power: Mike Tomlin has sometimes faced big odds during his tenure, but has consistently found a way to lead his team into the winning circle. This season, the wise old coach will need to unleash all his defensive magic to help his star-studded defense carry a team that could struggle to score points.
TJ Watt, Minka Fitzpatrick, and Cam Hayward gave the 5-Star 5-Star to help the defense play at the level needed to overcome offensive flaws that could make it difficult for the Steelers to score. You have to play like a defender. If the defense can steal the ball and set up the offense in a short field, how can the Steelers rob a one-dimensional team that seems to lack offensive firepower more wins than most people can imagine? can be found.
Weaknesses: While all eyes have been on the quarterback battle between Steelers Mitchell Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett, it’s the performance of the offensive line that will determine the success of the offense in 2021. Block issues that could make life miserable for Najee Harris & Co. in the backfield. If Tomlin can’t fix a disappointing front line, the Steelers will struggle to win enough games to stay in his hunt for the playoffs.
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Breakout Player: After fully recovering from a string of injuries, LB Devin Bush could resurface as the difference maker that led the Steelers to the 10th overall pick in the 2019 draft. If the dynamic defender rediscovers his game, the Steelers’ defense could single-handedly lead the team to several victories this season.
Win/Loss Prediction: 7-10
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He regularly appears on “Speak For Yourself,” analyzes games for NFL Network, and co-hosts the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @bucky brooks.
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