Welcome to the AFC North weekly predictions!
Each week, our AFC North feature writers will list their picks for that week and be forced to explain why they voted as they did. Keep in mind that these picks are for entertainment purposes only, and in no way should be used to influence gambling or illegal activity, unless you’re smart enough to recognize that we know more than you because we publish things.
Your AFC North prognosticators collectively went 12-4 last week, with Jack Crawford being a perfect 4*-0. Rumor has it that pictures of Jack carousing with certain Steelers players are circulating. We can’t rule out the use of performance non/enhancing drugs, so Jack dons the scarlet asterisk.
Week Two games:
Sunday:
Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0), 1PM
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-1), 1PM
Two early divisional games highlight our week two lineup. The marquee matchup is the 2015 Wild Card rematch between the Bengals and Steelers. A fifth straight first round playoff exit was disheartening, but the controversial and unhinged unraveling of that loss left a bitter taste in the Bengals’ mouths. Can the Bengals overcome the loss of key players to free agency, injury and suspension, or will they be pulling their hair again in frustration? Will the Steelers’ offense come out firing on all cylinders against a division rival who knows them well? Will WR AJ Green and QB Andy Dalton deliver a knockout blow to the Steelers’ questionable secondary?
Our “B” game (read: only other game) of the week features the two cellar dwellers of the AFC North from a year ago. The Browns look to win their first home opener (1-13) since 2004, which came against the Ravens, while Baltimore tries to prove their week one defensive effort wasn’t a fluke. What happens when a stoppable force meets a moveable object? Will the ragtag group the Browns’ front office assembled be able to keep morale high with just a pocketful of dreams and new, old starting QB Josh McCown?
On to the predictions!
Jack Crawford’s picks (4-0):
Bengals @ Steelers
Michael Thompson’s picks (3-1):
Bengals @ Steelers
My prediction: pain
Steelers 27, Bengals 21
Ravens @ Browns
I recommend watching The Godfather III, followed by Gigli instead of the Browns.
Godfather III -2, Gigli 4 thumbs down
Ravens 38, Browns 7
peatwo’s picks (2-2):
Bengals @ Steelers
Regardless of Vontez Burfict’s absence in this one, there should be enough instigators on the field to give viewer some hope that a WWE match will break out (looking at you Pacman and Shazier to be your respective team captains). However, it will likely have to start with the Bengals, if Coach Mike Tomlin’s words carry weight in the Steeler’s locker room (and if they ever want to play ping pong again). Currently, players on both sides are saying the right things, but I expect the compliments to end during pre-game warmups. Regarding actual play on the field, advantage Steelers if last week was any indication. Sure the Redskins didn’t put up much of a fight against the Steelers, but if it wasn’t for the inept red zone offense and kicking effort of the Jets, the Bengals would be trying to claw back to .500 in this one.
Steelers 27, Bengals 23
Ravens @ Browns
I was much more bullish on the Ravens prior to Josh McCown starting this one. RGIII was still a work in progress after being benched for the better part of 3 years, and showed plenty of rust last week. The Ravens defense does look much stronger than it did last year when McCown torched the unit over 450 yards (although they also ended his season early due to a broken collar bone). McCown has the presence and WR weapons to put some numbers up, but the Ravens will likely return the favor and then some. The Browns defense made Carson Wentz (who was nearly made inactive last week based on his preseason play), look like a hall of famer as Philly fans are already buying Super Bowl tickets after over-reacting to his success. Expect Flacco and company to join in the fun.
Ravens 31, Browns 24
Wernicke Korsakoff’s picks (3-1):
Bengals @ Steelers:
This game has the makings of a shootout. The Bengals weren’t able to stop the run against the Jets last week. With RB DeAngelo Williams and the Steelers’ passing attack both looking to be in mid-season form, Pittsburgh should move the ball with ease. Given the lack of pass rush on the Steelers’ side, AJ Green and Andy Dalton should have time to put on another show. This game boils down to whether the Bengals’ D line can get consistent pressure and which team makes one critical mistake.
Bengals 30, Steelers 27
Ravens @ Browns:
Look for the McCown/Barnidge connection to flourish against what looks to be a mediocre pass-defending LB group from Baltimore. The Ravens will try to establish the run early, given Cleveland’s difficulty in stopping the run. This game is a bit of a toss up, reminiscent of the Thursday night game between the two teams last season. Prepare for an unexciting game that may feature stretches of incompetence from both sides.
Ravens 20, Browns 17
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