AFC North Unit by Unit Rankings: Totals and Predictions
Aug 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
We hope you have been following along with our Unit by Unit Rankings. Good discussion was had and many agree and disagree with the rankings. This is a good sign of how close this division should be this year, and possibly for years to come. If you need to get caught up on one of our 6 rankings check them out here then come back for totals and a wrap up including predictions:
Quarterbacks (8/12/13) Backfield (8/13/13) Pass Catchers (8/14/13)
Offensive Line(8/15/13) Front 7s (8/16/13) Defensive Backs (8/17/13)
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Now that you are all caught up its time to reveal the results of averaging all of the rankings and then providing some insight into what the totals mean. A team is more then the sum of its parts, but ranking each unit allows us some level of ability to understand how strong the team is prior to the start of the year. Injuries are still possible, and could dramatically effect the teams, but as they stand now this is the rankings and averages for the teams:
Ravens |
Bengals
Browns
Steelers
Quarterbacks
2
3
4
1
Backfield
1
3
2
4
Pass Catchers
4
1
3
2
Offensive Line
2
3
1
4
Front 7s
3
1
2
4
Defensive Backs
4
1
2
3
Average
2.67
2
2.34
3
Based on our rankings we predict that the teams will finish in this order:
- Cincinnati Bengals – Based on the strength of 3 #1 rankings and no last place rankings the Bengals finished with a average score of 2 and FoS predicts they will win the division. The Bengals finished first in pass catchers thanks to AJ Green and their 2 first round tight ends and in both defensive units. The Bengals should have the best defense in the league and if QB Andy Dalton, the offensive line and backfield can provide solid support to their top level units the team should reach this prediction. Bad QB or OLine play could derail the Bengals season, as well as significant injuries on the defense.
- Cleveland Browns – Surprisingly the Cleveland Browns pull off 2nd place in the division based on these rankings. The Browns will ride the #1 offensive line and the #2 defense in the division to pull off upsets over recent division head honcho Ravens and Steelers. The Browns could be sunk by the worst QB in the division but if he, and his pass catchers, can keep defenses honest the team could be ready to make an impact in the AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens – The defending Super Bowl champs just barely missed out on the second place ranking. The team was held back by their two last place rankings in pass catchers and defensive backs. Both of these positions were significantly weakened by off-season departures and injuries. The Ravens still could ride Ray Rice and Joe Flacco, and their #2 ranked offensive line, to out perform this prediction. With their turnover the Ravens could win the division or come in last place the dynamics are just that strong.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – The former Kings of the North have already started their fall to some extent. While still talented the defense is getting older and has lost key players over the last few off-seasons. The offense still has the #1 ranked QB and talented young receiving core but is hurt by a lack luster offensive line and unproven or backup running backs. No one expects a well run organization like the Steelers to be down for long but the marriage of Todd Haley and Big Ben is disconcertingly not gone well to start with. If young players LeVeon Bell and Jarvis Jones can make dramatic impacts as rookies, and the offensive line finds a way to jell after 4 of the 5 players are starting in new positions or new to starting, the Steelers can still be a force in the North.
The North is a tough division. Making simple record predictions like Mike and Mike did, here and here, is one way to go about it. We as FoS have chosen to use these unit rankings to make estimates of how the teams will fair comparable to each other. Many Ravens and Steelers fans now have something to agree on, as we expect some vehement disagreement on their 3rd and 4th place rankings.
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