I don’t believe that preseason tells the
real story about the progress a team has made from the previous year so the
opening week in the AFC North will be a Sunday of discovery as the teams begin
their season. All of them have hope as the first opportunity to evaluate their
strengths and weaknesses is laid out before the fans.
Pittsburgh will still have division title
aspirations despite their 21-28 loss to New England. Ben Roethlisberger threw
for 351 yards, Antonio Brown had 9 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown
while new boy DeAngelo Williams averaged 6 yards a carry in his total of 127
yards.
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos Sky Sports 1; Sunday 21.25
Former Steelers safety now an ESPN analyst,
Ryan Clark, believes the Ravens will win the division. He thinks that all the
offseason troubles with injuries and suspensions in Pittsburgh will inhibit the
Steelers progress this season, making Baltimore the favourites.
The rarefied atmosphere in Denver will be
the first test for the Baltimore youngsters that Raven fans are enthusing
about. The Broncos present a stern test for the Ravens as they still have their
own ambitions to continue the Peyton Manning story.
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets
The Browns travel to New York with a new
quarterback. That’s nothing new, but before a ball has been passed there has a
wave of support for drafting Ohio State’s quarterback Cardale Jones. A “Fail
for Cardale” campaign has been launched to promote the Browns losing all their
games to get the number one draft pick next year.
The Browns have done some crazy things, but
not to give Josh McCown a chance to show them how good he might be or even sticking
with the potential of backup Johnny Manziel. Football at its craziness, but it
is the Browns we are talking about.
The Browns signed another quarterback,
Austin Davis from the Rams as Manziel is still suffering with a sore elbow
while they traded their third string running back Terrance West to the Titans.
Maybe McCown will prove them all wrong and
leave New York with a victory. Both teams held up their respective divisions in
last place so both teams have something to prove.
Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland
Raiders
Oakland has brought in a new offensive
coordinator in Bill Musgrave and a new defensive coordinator in Ken Norton Jr. as
they attempt to improve on their 3-13 record from last year.
The steady hand of Andy Dalton and the
stability that brings should give the Bengals an early opportunity to top the
division. Cincinnati should take advantage of a win against a Raiders team still
trying to find their feet.
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