This is a place to keep tabs on the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals during the season since they have a "special" place in our hearts.
It will be interesting to see how the Ravens handle the loss of Dobbins. Rumors flying that they've brought in L'Eveon Bell and DeSean McCoy for tryouts.
CLEVELAND BROWNS SCHEDULE 2021 (all times Eastern)
Week 1: 9/12 at Chiefs, 4:25 PM, CBS Week 2: 9/19 vs. Houston, 1 PM, CBS Week 3: 9/26 vs. Bears, 1 PM, Fox Week 4: 10/3 at Vikings, 1 PM, CBS Week 5: 10/10 at Chargers, 4:05 PM, CBS Week 6: 10/17 vs. Cardinals, 4:05 PM, Fox Week 7: 10/21 vs. Broncos, 8:20 PM, Fox/NFL Network/ Amazon Week 8: 10/31 vs. Steelers, 1 PM, CBS Week 9: 11/7 at Bengals, 1 PM, CBS Week 10: 11/14 at Patriots, 1 PM, CBS Week 11: 11/21 vs. Lions, 1 PM, Fox Week 12: 11/28 at Ravens, 8:20 PM, NBC Week 13: BYE Week 14: 12/12 vs. Ravens, 1 PM, CBS Week 15: 12/19 vs. Raiders, time & TV TBD Week 16: 12/25 at Packers, 4:30 PM, Fox/NFL Network/Amazon Week 17: 1/3 at Steelers, 8:15 PM, ESPN Week 18: 1/9 vs. Bengals, 1 PM, CBS
Prime-time games Sunday Night Football: Week 12 at Ravens Monday Night Football: Week 17 at Steelers Thursday Night Football: Week 7 vs. Broncos Christmas Day: Week 16 vs. Packers
BALTIMORE RAVENS SCHEDULE 2021 (all times Eastern)
Week 1: 9/13 at Raiders, 8:15 PM, ESPN/ABC Week 2: 9/19 vs. Chiefs 8:20 PM, NBC Week 3: 9/26 at Lions, 1 PM, CBS Week 4: 10/3 at Broncos, 4:25 PM, CBS Week 5: 10/11 vs. Colts, 8:15 PM, ESPN Week 6: 10/17 vs. Chargers, 1 PM, CBS Week 7: 10/24 vs. Bengals, 1 PM, CBS Week 8: BYE Week 9: 11/7 vs. Vikings, 1 PM, Fox Week 10: 11/11 at Dolphins, 8:20 PM, Fox/NFL Network/Amazon Week 11: 11/21 at Bears, 1 PM, CBS Week 12: 11/28 vs. Browns, 8:20 PM, NBC Week 13: 12/5 at Steelers, 4:25 PM, CBS Week 14: 12/12 at Browns, 1 PM, CBS Week 15: 12/19 vs. Packers, 1 PM, Fox Week 16: 12/26 at Bengals, 1 PM, CBS Week 17: 1/2 vs. Rams, 4:25 PM, Fox Week 18: 1/9 vs. Steelers, 1 PM, CBS
Prime-time games Sunday Night Football: Week 2 vs. Chiefs, Week 12. vs. Browns Monday Night Football: Week 1 at Raiders, Week 5 vs. Colts, Thursday Night Football: Week 10 at Dolphins
PITTSBURGH STEELERS SCHEDULE 2021 (all times Eastern)
Week 1: 9/12 at Bills, 1 PM, CBS Week 2: 9/19 vs. Raiders 1 PM, CBS Week 3: 9/26 vs. Bengals, 1 PM, CBS Week 4: 10/3 at Packers, 4:25 PM CBS Week 5: 10/10 vs. Broncos, 1 PM, Fox Week 6: 10/17 vs. Seahawks, 8:20 PM, NBC Week 7: BYE Week 8: 10/31 at Browns, 1 PM, CBS Week 9: 11/8 vs. Bears, 8:15 PM, ESPN Week 10: 11/14 vs. Lions, 1 PM, Fox Week 11: 11/21 at Chargers, 8:20 PM, NBC Week 12: 11/28 at Bengals, 1 PM, CBS Week 13: 12/5 vs. Ravens, 4:25 PM, CBS Week 14: 12/9 at Vikings, 8:20 PM Fox/NFL Network/ Amazon Week 15: 12/19 vs. Titans, 1 PM, CBS Week 16: 12/26 at Chiefs, 4:25 PM, CBS Week 17: 1/3 vs. Browns, 8:15 PM, ESPN Week 18: 1/9 at Ravens, 1 PM, CBS
Prime-time games Sunday Night Football: Week 6 vs. Seahawks, Week 11 at Chargers Monday Night Football: Week 9 vs. Bears, Week 17 vs. Browns Thursday Night Football: Week 14 at Vikings
CINCINNATI BENGALS SCHEDULE 2021 (all times Eastern)
Week 1: 9/12 vs. Vikings, 1 PM, Fox Week 2: 9/19 at Bears, 1 PM, Fox Week 3: 9/26 at Steelers, 1 PM, CBS Week 4: 9/30 vs. Jaguars, 8:20 PM, NFL Week 5: 10/10 vs. Packers, 1 PM, Fox Week 6: 10/17 at Lions,1 PM, Fox Week 7: 10/24 at Ravens, 1 PM, CBS Week 8: 10/31 at Jets, 1 PM, CBS Week 9: 11/7 vs. Browns, 1 PM, CBS Week 10: BYE Week 11: 11/21 at Raiders, 4:05 PM, CBS Week 12: 11/28 vs. Steelers, 1 PM, CBS Week 13: 12/5 vs. Chargers, 1 PM, Fox Week 14: 12/12 vs. 49ers, 1 PM, CBS Week 15: 12/19 at Broncos, 4:05 PM, CBS Week 16: 12/26 vs. Ravens, 1 PM, CBS Week 17: 1/2 vs. Chiefs, 1 PM, CBS Week 18: 1/9 at Browns, 1 PM, CBS
Prime-time games Thursday Night Football: Week 4 vs. Jaguars
A few comments, with 1st quarter record predictions:
Ravens - Lamar is going to be playing superman again, at least early in the season. Their wideouts have been injured all throughout pre-season, plus we know Lamar was out with COVID. Result was they didn't get the passing game work in that they wanted. And despite the loss of JK, Gus is plenty good enough to run that option offense with Lamar. Defense is always solid. I hate to say it, but I think the Chiefs have a let-down game on the road after beating us week 1. Ravens go 4-0 to start.
Bengals - I would say that they're regretting the Jamar Chase pick, but from the sounds of things in Detroit, Sewell is struggling as well. That offense will still be really good once Burrow trusts his knee and his protection...sounds like they aren't there yet, so I think they lose the opener against that Vikings that they could otherwise win playing with confidence. They get off the schnide against Jax to go 1-3.
Steelers - Reports of their demise always seem to fall flat. I don't have a lot of belief in their longevity across the (even longer) season, but their defense is just sooo good. Loss of Tuitt early won't make a big difference. That OL, though, is in shambles. Both tackles are off-the-street guys, plus other new starters aren't great. Najee and Ben will earn every cent this season if they can produce behind that pile of garbage. The mystique is still enough to beat middle tier Bengals and Raiders, so they go 2-2.
Browns - I have some serious concerns about this defense. Has our starting back 7 played a single snap together, even in practice? Unless somehow the DL is dominant (like Clowney and Takk recapture their best + McDowell emerges), this D is gonna be just as bad as last year early on. The offense will be fine, and will carry us through 3 games, however, they aren't good enough to keep up with the Chiefs until proven otherwise. Browns lose another opener, but rise up to 3-1.
Browns - I have some serious concerns about this defense. Has our starting back 7 played a single snap together, even in practice? Unless somehow the DL is dominant (like Clowney and Takk recapture their best + McDowell emerges), this D is gonna be just as bad as last year early on.
I get your point, but I disagree. The single replacement of Andrew Sendejo with JJ3 makes this defense better than last year's. Add Walker in the middle, and I think the starting point for this year's D is last year's at it's best.
1. #GMstrong 2. "I'm just trying to be the best Nick I can be." ~ Nick Chubb 3. Forgive me Elf, I didn’t have faith. ~ Tulsa 4. ClemenZa #1
Browns - I have some serious concerns about this defense. Has our starting back 7 played a single snap together, even in practice? Unless somehow the DL is dominant (like Clowney and Takk recapture their best + McDowell emerges), this D is gonna be just as bad as last year early on.
I get your point, but I disagree. The single replacement of Andrew Sendejo with JJ3 makes this defense better than last year's. Add Walker in the middle, and I think the starting point for this year's D is last year's at it's best.
That actually probably the most reasonable and valid direct comparison to last year that there is. Literally, just the replacing Sendejo with JJ3 part makes us at least one score per game better. With just that one move, the giant gaping hole in our defense that gave up a 1st down anytime an opponent needed it has been effectively closed and opponents will have to actually work a little against us. I think perhaps folks forget just how much of a problem Sendejo and the Safety position was for us last year. Harrison & JJ3 is far and away better than Sendejo & Redwine/Joseph, and that is still not counting anything from Delpit. Edit to add that I just realized that not one of the starting Safeties from last year is even on the roster this year, and the guy that was our #2 CB has been replaced as well.
LB corps... at the very least, it is no worse than it was, and in terms of talent and intelligence/knowledge brought in, it is largely upgraded on paper.
The interior DLine is still worrisome until they show us something, but I do like the upside potential that is there.... I just need to see it be stout before I can trust that it isn't still a problem.
Last edited by PrplPplEater; 09/04/2111:22 AM.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Woods was hamstrung last year. He accepted it and had to play with what he had.
All true that this defense has not been able to play the indended starters because of soft tissue injuries and management being justifiably cautious.
However, there is still a boatload of preparation work that is done.
Key veterans at every level will help. Myles, Clowney, and Malik Jackson. Anthony Walker midlevel. JJ3, Harrison, and Ward on the back end.
Last year the secondary was a mess.
If we can get consistent pressure from the front. IMO we will be fine early on.
When things start to tighten after Thanksgiving. We should be hitting full stride.
I would not be surprised to see McDowell, play very early for Billings, I have concerns about Billings, for as large of a person, he was rag-dolled numerous times. McDowell on the other hand was rag dolling OL.....
Although the offense is much the same, DPJ and Felton will be adding something to the mix. You can tell that the Browns really like Felton.
It will ultimately come down to injuries. The teams that stay healthy finish well.
Billing made the team based on past experience over anything he showed in camp, and I get that to a degree.
We have to hope the guy continues to progress as the season unfolds because it is pretty obvious his season off turned him to to a ton of blubber.
The NT position has a history of big guys who look more fat than anything else, but they remained strong as an ox and could still move to some degree.
Let's just say that Billings hasn't found his sweet spot. My guess is the team has the guy on some weight targets and if he doesn't start to come close to meeting those targets he could get released 3-4-5 weeks in to the season.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
I remain hopeful that our defense’s sucktitude last year was based on Woods being a victim of bad personnel.
With Johnson, Hill, Walker, Clowney, Delpit, Greedy, and JOK we have no excuse to be bad this season
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
It's interesting that the Ravens didn't make a move to upgrade their running back situation with the loss of Dobbins, so far. How will this affect Lamar? We'll see.
It's interesting that the Ravens didn't make a move to upgrade their running back situation with the loss of Dobbins, so far. How will this affect Lamar? We'll see.
They will just let Lamar take Dobbins carries.
One day Lamar is going to get hit and not recover or it will be death by 1000 tackles.
It's interesting that the Ravens didn't make a move to upgrade their running back situation with the loss of Dobbins, so far. How will this affect Lamar? We'll see.
To my eyes, JK was only slightly better than Gus Edwards. And they really like their now-2nd string Ty'son Williams. I don't see any change at all in their effectiveness running the ball
It's interesting that the Ravens didn't make a move to upgrade their running back situation with the loss of Dobbins, so far. How will this affect Lamar? We'll see.
To my eyes, JK was only slightly better than Gus Edwards. And they really like their now-2nd string Ty'son Williams. I don't see any change at all in their effectiveness running the ball
I was thinking more along the lines of protection. They're probably all good runners but I don't have any idea of their blocking ability.
It's interesting that the Ravens didn't make a move to upgrade their running back situation with the loss of Dobbins, so far. How will this affect Lamar? We'll see.
They will just let Lamar take Dobbins carries.
One day Lamar is going to get hit and not recover or it will be death by 1000 tackles.
No they won't. Gus Edwards is a good back. He will get a ton of carries this year.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
The place where the Browns have a clear advantage over all the other teams in the AFCN is the offensive line.
The Steelers line will struggle again this year, and I have serious doubts Ben makes it through the season unscathed. They have no depth on the OL.
I think Baltimore's line will struggle this year as well, even though they tried to fix it this offseason. I think Villanueva will struggle at RT, and their OL depth is not very good.
I also think both those teams lack the depth of the Browns. This is very important, with a 17th game added this year.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Everytime Troy Aikman or Joe Buck or whatever dumb one sits next to them makes another call about Gus Edwards and his 1 yard outside carry, I'm going to Break my TV! "They hopped on the bust guts."
When I first heard that the Ravens' had Bell in for a visit I added him to my fantasy squad. I didn't like RB depth. So I guessed that between Bell and Freeman they would sign Bell. The fact that they signed him to the PS only gives them and Bell time to get him up to speed. Then he will be moved to the 53. This seems inevitable since they only have Gus Edwards and a guy named Ty'Son Williams on their current 53 man roster.
A little off topic here, but is there going to be a extra playoff spot for two teams in each conference again?
" Now here you are running these dirty old streets tattoo on your neck fake gold on your teeth, got the hood here snowed but you can't fool me, we both know who you are"
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
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