Life up north can have its chilly moments, especially during the NFL season. Life in the AFC has had its moments this decade as all five Super Bowl winners reside inside this now dominant conference… three-time winner New England in the AFC East and the other two in the AFC North. Is a six-pack in the offing in ’06?
Here is my take of teams in the AFC NORTH DIVISION for 2006. Coming up next: the AFC SOUTH DIVISION Enjoy…
BALTIMORE
Like the Cardinals, the Ravens were another team that improved their numbers on both sides of the ball, yet slipped both SU & ATS in 2005. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why, either, as Baltimore’s offense has become offensive, failing to crack the 20-point scoring barrier in any of their first 10 games last season (only three times all year). The erratic play of QB Kyle Boller (14-6 ATS as a favorite but 3-9 ATS as a dog) heightened the quest for a veteran signal caller, hence the anticipated arrival of former Titan Steve McNair. He’ll need to stay healthy to make a splash. The bottom line is Brian Billick is suddenly on the hot seat and needs to find the off switch. Don’t bet against him. It’s like Phil Leotardo of the Sopranos once explained to Mike Tice, “Next time there won’t be a next time.”
PLAY ON: home vs. Cincinnati (11/5) - *KEY
CINCINNATI
For the first time in memory the Bengals drafted players with the intention of filling spots for players they will likely lose as unrestricted free agents. Perhaps that’s an indication of how far they’ve come under Marvin Lewis’ direction as their first three picks in the draft were made with a purpose. In addition, nabbing troubled LB A.J. Nicholson in the 5th round could prove to be a steal. For it all Lewis is most excited about the return to full health of QB Carson Palmer, who will direct an explosive offense in 2006. Remember, this is a team that has won 17 of its last 25 regular season games while improving its numbers on both sides of the ball. They’ll be forced to take on the league’s 3rd toughest schedule, opening against playoff teams in five of their first six contests. Let’s see how they respond.
PLAY ON: vs. Atlanta - *KEY as dog - (10/29)
CLEVELAND
The changing of the guard is coming full circle in the Dawg Pound. Head coach Romeo Crennel has fashioned a very good, and young, defense without having traded away the future. A strong draft and a few free agent acquisitions have made the Browns a ‘sleeper team’ in 2006. A lot of their success falls into the person of QB Charlie Frye, whom it appears Crennel has put his faith. He’ll also count heavily on another solid year from RB Reuben Droughns, who surprised with 1,232 rushing yards last season. Look out should former No.1 picks Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards return to full health. Their presence will quickly accelerate Frye’s abilities. We like the fact they avoided their first winless division record in their 54-year history with a clutch win at Baltimore in the season finale. That victory spoke volumes about where this team is headed.
PLAY ON: as home dog vs. Pittsburgh (11/19) - *KEY +7 > points
PITTSBURGH
Winning a Super Bowl means many things to many teams. Aside from the added jewelry it brings, it assuredly calls attention to the team the following season, both in the press and on the playing field. Bill Cowher’s crew must now prepare itself for the onslaught of attention it will receive throughout the 2006 campaign ahead. How good were the Steelers last year, you ask? Amazingly, Pittsburgh lost three games during the regular season on the FINAL PLAY of the game. Consider that they won the prize despite playing every game away from home throughout the playoffs. In fact they were the first team seeded lower than No. 4 to capture the title. Despite QB Ben Roethlisberger’s stunning 27-4 mark as a starter, steep off season losses and the forever presence of the ‘Super Bowls-eye’ that awaits will likely find us fading the champs much of the season.
PLAY AGAINST: as a favorite vs. Jacksonville (9/18)
This article was extracted from the 2006 PLAYBOOK FOOTBALL HANDICAPPERS' YEARBOOK magazine. To order your copy of this 248-page best selling football preview click here www.playbook.com or call 1.800.PLAYBOOK for instant service.
Marc Lawrence has enjoyed success as a handicapper since 1975. He publishes the Playbook Football Handicappers Yearbook magazine and the weekly Playbook Football and Playbook Basketball newsletters. He is also a featured columnist for Football News.
In addition, he hosts Right on the Line, a 30-minute nationally syndicated cable TV show that airs Saturday mornings during the football season, and the 60-minute Right on the Line radio show, heard every weekend on over 100 radio stations across America, including the Sirius satellite radio network.
You can watch and listen to Right on the Line at www.playbook.com.
