DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum AFC North could produce sub-.500 champion

9-7, maybe, but 7-9? I thought our schedule was going to be brutal last year and look how things turned out...


AFC North could produce a sub-.500 champion

By Mike Florio - SportingNews Jul 12, 8:06 pm EDT

One of the most compelling arguments against expanding the NFL playoffs from 12 teams is that having 14 or 16 teams in the postseason could result in a sub-.500 squad qualifying for the Super Bowl tournament.

There’s a chance, however, that it could happen in 2008—under the current system.

Each of the AFC North teams—Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers—will play each of the teams of the AFC South, which sent three teams (Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans) to the 2007 playoffs. And each of the AFC North teams will play all the teams of the NFC East, which sent three teams (Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and New York Giants) to the playoffs last season as well.

That’s half the entire schedule—and emerging from those eight games with a 4-4 record figures to be the best outcome possible for any of the AFC North teams.

The question then becomes whether any of the AFC North teams can dominate in the home-and-home round-robin portion of the schedule. Last year, it was a 5-1 division mark that, coupled with a mediocre 5-5 record in their other 10 games, allowed the Steelers to edge out the Browns via a tiebreaker.

This year, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether any one team can do better than 3-3 in the six divisional games.

It’s more interesting because even the supposedly good teams in the AFC North have flaws and the supposedly bad teams have potential.

The Browns are the trendy pick to win the AFC North, but the expectations and pressure could make it difficult for Cleveland to improve on last year’s “close but no dog bone” effort. The Browns start the season with a game against the Cowboys and then one each against the AFC North rivals.

We’ll know by October whether the Browns can succeed while waving the flag of front-runner.

The Steelers won’t give up their title quietly, but they haven’t done much in the offseason to improve. Their offensive line is going to be a major problem. And if the Steelers can’t score or win the field position tug of war, more stress will be placed on an aging defense.

On the surface, the Bengals seem to be in disarray. However, if new coordinator Mike Zimmer gets control of a porous defense, the team could be far more competitive in ‘08. If the Bengals get off to a quick start in September—minimizing the chances of a Chad Johnson meltdown—they could keep things close in the division.

Then there are the Ravens. With low expectations and a high likelihood of being overlooked by opponents, the team with an energetic and respected new coach, John Harbaugh, could stir things up. Just two seasons ago, Baltimore was 13-3. Sure, the roster has undergone some changes, but there’s enough left for the Ravens to be competitive.

The kicker in the AFC North could be the two remaining games on the schedule:

• The Steelers, by virtue of winning the division, will play the Patriots (16-0 last year) and Chargers (11-5). Ouch.
• The Browns get the Bills (7-9) and Broncos (7-9).
• The Bengals play the Jets (4-12) and Chiefs (4-12).
• And the Ravens face the Dolphins (1-15) and Raiders (4-12).

Whether the Steelers, Browns, Bengals or Ravens can get to .500 comes back to those eight games against the AFC South and NFC East. A uniform failure by the AFC North’s squads in those eight games could lead to the first 7-9 division winner in league history. And if the AFC North champion finishes 8-8, it’ll be only the second time that a .500 team has won a division. (It happened in 1985, when the Browns won the old AFC Central.)

Regardless of who wins the division, don’t expect to see double-digit wins. And, for the three runners-up, don’t be surprised to see each have double-digit losses.

Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and writes two columns a week for Sporting News.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aj...n&type=lgns

It's going to be a tight race, but last season is last season. Teams can change almost overnight by freak injuries or players just coming out of nowhere. You never know what will happen. Barring a miracle, the Ravens will not contend for the division title. If the Bengals D plays close to average and CJ causes no distractions, maybe (and that's a big maybe) they will have a shot. That leaves it up to the Stoolies and us. And with them having to play NE/SD vs us playing BUF/DEN, I have to give us the slight nod.

Slow day Mr. Florio?

I'm sorry but I don't even think that is possible. Worst case the AFCN Champ will be 9-7, 7-9 no way.

The talking heads are almost never right about stuff like this. Anything could happen. Hell, the AFC North might just come out and dominate everyone next year.

I can't wait until next year, so I can read commentary about how "such and such" team or division is going to have a hard time as they have to face the Browns and Steelers of the AFC North.

If the AFC North had a sub 500 champion it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Giants
Cowboys
Eagles

Colts
Jaguars
Titans

then the worst of those divisions.....

Redskins
Texans

The winner of the AFC North could be definitely be 7-9. I'd bet 100 to win 300 that our division champion doesn't have a winning record. Takers?!?

This schedule is much much tougher than last year but last year u couldnt have picked an easier schedule. The thing is while this schedule is indeed a tough one it isnt as scary as the talking heads are making it out to be.

Dallas We have them at home and that is a definate advantage. Kellen Winslow against their safeties is a match up that the Browns will be attacking over and over and over and if they bring help good luck with single coverage on BE.

Steelers again its a home game. We know who they are and we let them off the hook last year. I dont see that happening again this year.

Baltimore- Road game but we swept them last year and they havent improved just gotten older.

bengals - They will throw it we will throw it difference is we should be able to run it. no more 4 int games lol

Giants- Home game and i got to say, we math up very well with this team. They make their living by pressuring the qb and our greatest strength is pass protection. It should be a great game but a winnable game.

Redskins- road game but lets face it they are a 2 td team. That just isnt enough against this offense.

Jags - road game and we will definately be the underdog. This one should be a throwback type game. Physical, hard hitting and the toughest guy will be left standing.

Ravens- home game, its a must win.

Broncos - Enough hatred to carry the Browns to a win at home. They should be improved but this is a game you are supposed to win.

Bills - at Buffalo I really like this bills team and I think they have one of the best minds in football at the helm. tough game similar to what i expect from the jags.

Texans- Home game will be a huge advantage i love what they are doing down in texas but i think they are another year away.

Colts- home Colts just cant stay healthy on the defensive side and Romeo has always been able to give Peyton nightmares. I think a little bit of payback for laying down against tenn last year is in order.

Titans away I just think the titans are so overrated. Good defense but if we force vince to pass its gonna be a good day for our secondary.

Eages away tough place to play and the eagles should match up very well with the browns. its gonna be a hard game to get the win unless mcnabb is out again.

Bengals home once again our playoff hopes may be dependent on a win against Cinn.

Steelers @ pitt final game Playoff spot locked up dont look for romeo to let off the gas but weird things always happen in pitt.

We come out with 12 and I can say we are a legit threat in the playoffs. We hover around 8 wins and we wont make the playoffs and we are back to trying to figure out what changes must be made.

Quote:

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We know who they are and we let them off the hook last year.

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If you want to crown them, then crown their ass!

ROTFLOL. Way to funny!

"and emerging from those eight games with a 4-4 record figures to be the best outcome possible for any of the AFC North teams."



Not "MAYBE", not "POSSIBLY" - but this guy states as a fact that after those 8 games 4-4 would be the best outcome "POSSIBLE" for ANY AFC North team...
I stopped right there and refused to read any further.

JMH

Eo....it was all an opinion based article....nothing was stated as fact.

Why do some have a hard time understanding that???


Darn near everything written in sports is opinion based except record books or pure news reporting.

Quote:

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Whether the Steelers, Browns, Bengals or Ravens can get to .500 comes back to those eight games against the AFC South and NFC East. A uniform failure by the AFC North’s squads in those eight games could lead to the first 7-9 division winner in league history

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b/s

Meh. At least this writer has taken a look at the schedule before declaring the Browns a 10-11 win team. At this point, the schedule looks extremely difficult and that's the point of the article.

On the other hand, the schedule looked difficult at the start of last season, and look what happened...

Not going to happen. The article and the author are a joke.

Sorry, Florio. I think it is a reack to pick a winner with that record that low. Tight and tough and brutal yes. But the parity says the stron aren't overwhelmingly dominant, the weak surprise people, and the turnarounds can be mystifying and incredible wonders. Too many predictors; means to many disappointments. Must have had a deadline, I suspect. Let's just play em anyhow.

Someone should keep a copy of this to send to him at the end of the season when he's wrong.

Well for one his OPINION SUCKS!!! lol
Two it was pretty insulting to Browns fans....and our rival fans for that matter.

Oh and for the simple fact he stated as a known fact - not opinion
So your claim he didn't state it as fact is ummmm wrong.

He didn't use any opinionated verbs, adverbs, adjectives...whatever cause my grammer skills suck but one or more of those could have put a tone of Opinion on his claim. As in possibly, maybe, strongly believe...nah he didn't use any of that language just AS A FACT stated .500 was the best possible...PERIOD!

So your statement that he did not state it as a fact was wrong.

Oh and did I mention before his Opinion Sucks!

Why come down on us...that is what confuses me.
Lets see, He basically say the Browns (and the rest of our division) SUCKS!
We say, his opinion sucks and where does he get off not leaving any doubt in his opinion?

And you stick up for him an reprimand us...lol

Unless you think he is spot on???

JMH

Quote:

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We say, his opinion sucks and where does he get off not leaving any doubt in his opinion?

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He could still be right... so shouldn't you say, "his opinion quite possibly sucks"?

Dude.....

R...E....A....D the article. Then re-read it.

Quote:

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AFC North could produce a sub-.500 champion

having 14 or 16 teams in the postseason could result in a sub-.500 squad qualifying for the Super Bowl tournament.

There’s a chance, however, that it could happen in 2008—under the current system.

emerging from those eight games with a 4-4 record figures to be the best outcome possible for any of the AFC North teams.

This year, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether any one team can do better than 3-3 in the six divisional games.

The Browns are the trendy pick to win the AFC North, but the expectations and pressure could make it difficult for Cleveland to improve on last year’s “close but no dog bone” effort.

We’ll know by October whether the Browns can succeed while waving the flag of front-runner.

Bengals seem to be in disarray. However, if new coordinator Mike Zimmer gets control of a porous defense, the team could be far more competitive in ‘08. If the Bengals get off to a quick start in September—minimizing the chances of a Chad Johnson meltdown—they could keep things close in the division.

Then there are the Ravens. With low expectations and a high likelihood of being overlooked by opponents, the team with an energetic and respected new coach, John Harbaugh, could stir things up.

The kicker in the AFC North could be the two remaining games on the schedule:

Whether the Steelers, Browns, Bengals or Ravens can get to .500 comes back to those eight games against the AFC South and NFC East. A uniform failure by the AFC North’s squads in those eight games could lead to the first 7-9 division winner in league history. And if the AFC North champion finishes 8-8, it’ll be only the second time that a .500 team has won a division.

Regardless of who wins the division, don’t expect to see double-digit wins.

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Ummmmmm.......

Hello?!?

The writer couldn't make it more obvious to anyone reading that he's stating what COULD happen. This is obviously OPINION not FACT.

He said ONE thing that he stated as fact:

Quote:

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Their (steelers) offensive line is going to be a major problem.

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That's it! That's the only stated fact and I agree with it. Roethlisberger better have his head on a swivel.

Just for everyone's benefit:

could

–verb 1. a pt. of can1.
–auxiliary verb 2. (used to express possibility): I wonder who that could be at the door. That couldn't be true.
3. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried.
4. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please?
5. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen?
6. (used in offering suggestions or advice): You could write and ask for more information. You could at least have called me.

I just now read the article for the first time, though I had seen that it was posted......I didn't have to read it, as I've been living it as I'm sure many of us have. One of my best friends from work is a Stiller fan, and we have been talking about this possibility for months.....

bah! 12-4, easy. no worries.

I don't know about 12-4.. but the Browns are going to win at least 10 games...

sorry, i forgot the [/sarcasm].