AFC North Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

T-2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Projected record: 9-7 (possible wildcard)





The Steelers will try and get back to the Steelers of old with a lot of ground and pound. After releasing Rashard Mendenhall after the season, they drafted Le'veon Bell, who can carry the load for them but he got hurt. With Bell being out 6-8 weeks with a foot injury, they recently traded for Felix Jones, in hopes that he will add some explosiveness to the back field. Letting Mike Wallace walk will come back to haunt the Steelers because they will now lack a deep threat. Emmanuel Sanders is a very good receiver but will need to should almost all of the receiving load with Wallace gone and Heath Miller getting older but with Big Ben anything can happen as long as he isn't getting sacked.  The Steel Curtain Defense we all knew, is old. Releasing James Harrison and bringing in Jarvis Jones will help the defense as it slowly makes its youth movement. Troy Polamalu is back and healthy this year which should help the defense overall. LaMarr Woodley, Ryan Clark, Lawrence Timmons, Ziggy Hood, Larry Foote are all returning a year older but they are healthy for the most part. Look for the Steelers to be in the playoff race and if they get there, their Super Bowl experience could kick in and they could make a run.

AFC North Preview: Cleveland Browns

4th. Cleveland Browns

Projected record: 6-10


The Browns look to improve on a decent season from last year. Running back Trent Richardson surprised some but if you watched him at Alabama you knew what he was capable of. The biggest question mark offensively is quarterback Brandon Weeden. The season he had last year was very underwhelming as he threw for 14 TDs but 17 INTs. The offensively line will keep Weeden off of his back but will he make the throws to help them succeed? Another bright spot for the offense is wide out Josh Gordon, who stormed on the scene making big plays each week. Even though he will be suspended the first 2 games of the season look for him to make noise when he does come back. The defense is switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 which should take sometime to get used to but they will be a top defense this season. With the additions of Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger, look for the defense to be more stout in the front in. The secondary led by Joe Haden has been pretty decent at best. They will be looking for other corners to play along side Haden such as Buster Skrine and 3rd round pick Leon McFadden. The Browns will be a little better but they'll still be the same old Browns. If they do answer the offensive question marks look for them to make a playoff push not much else.

NFC South Preview: Atlanta Falcons

1. Atlanta Falcons

Projected Record: 11-5(super bowl contenders)


The Atlanta Falcons look to take the final step and make it to the Super Bowl. With Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez,  all coming back, and the addition of running back Stephen Jackson, the Falcons high flying offense looks to be explosive once again. Defensively, they resigned safety William Moore to a 5 year, $29 million dollar deal, who is coming off a Pro Bowl year. After releasing John Abraham, the Falcons went out and signed former Giant Osi Umenyiora to help the pass rush. In the draft, the Falcons selected Desmond Trufant to help strengthen the back end of the defense. Look for the dirty birds to fly high this season and most likely be in the same position as they were in last year, but can they close this time?

NFC South Preview: Tampa Bay Bucs

T-2. Tampa Bay Bucs







Projected record: 9-7(possible wildcard)

The Bucs look to improve on a 7-9 season last year and the one with the room for the most improvement is Josh Freeman. After a hot start, Freeman had a terrible down slide in the second half of the season. Freeman will need to keep his hot streak going all season if he doesn't want to be benched in favor of rookie Mike Glennon. Coming off an explosive and kind of surprising rookie season, Doug Martin will look to match or even better his out put from last season and if Martin establishes himself as a threat in the run game it should help out whoever is playing quarterback. The lose of Dallas Clark in the off-season shouldn't hurt too much if they find a replacement to match his lack-luster numbers last year. Also with the return of Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams the passing attack should be effective. The Bucs calling card under Greg Schiano is defensive toughness and they showed it last year by never taking a play off even when they Bucs were defeated. The front 7 of the Bucs was a strong point of the team last year but the secondary was terrible. With the additions of Darrelle Revis and Dashon Goldson should solidify the secondary and keep teams from beating them over the top. Look for the Bucs to make a push towards to the playoffs and be a tough out if they do make it.

NFC South Preview: Saints

T-2. New Orleans Saints

Projected record: 9-7(possible wildcard)

The Saints finally get their head coach back, Sean Payton, after he was suspended all season last season. The Saints didn't miss a beat on offense last season without Payton but the defense was historically bad. Enter Rob Ryan and his attack first 3-4 defense. The Saints drafted Kenny Vaccaro and John Jenkins to help toughen up the defense but Ryan's defense is tough to learn so expect some growing pains Saints fans. With Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith returning the defense will have veteran leadership to help with the learning curve. Drew Brees and the offense will be explosive as usual with Brees favorite targets returning. Look for Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Darren Sproles to have major impact of this season. The Saints look  establish a running game with the combo of Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas. If the Saints want to get back in playoff contention they will need to keep Drew Brees upright and create turnovers on defense. Look for the Saints to be in the playoff hunt this fall.

NFC South Preview

4. Carolina Panthers









Projected record: 6-10
The Panthers success this season will depend on Cam Newton. How will he develop from last season's disappointments? The Panthers also couldn't stop anybody last year on the ground or through the air but with the additions of DL Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short (draft picks) the Panthers should be tougher up front but they still will be weak in the secondary particularly at cornerback. With Josh Norman and Captain Munnerlyn returning from last year i don't see the pass defense improving even with the additions of veterans Drayton Florence and D.J. Moore but they do return tackle machine Luke Kuechly and Jon Beason is returning from injury at the linebacker positions which will help the front 7. The rushing attack will stay the same with combo of DeAngelo Williams, Johnathan Stewart and of course Cam Newton but look for less quarterback runs and more traditional running formations. Newton's receivers are a big question mark outside of Steve Smith and tight end Greg Olson. Brandon LaFell had a better season last year and with the additions of Domenik Hixon, Ted Ginn Jr, Armanti Edwards and Joe Adams, Newton looks to light it up again this year. The Panthers are a defensive play maker away from making a serious playoff push and if the secondary steps up they could be in the running this year.

AFC South Preview & Predictions

1. Houston Texans

Projected record 11-5
The Texans will win the division, almost running away with it. Yes the Colts will challenge but they aren't ready to take the next step. Most think that adding Ed Reed would put the Texans over the top but not so fast. He's still on the PUP list and the Texans have no idea when he'll be back but when he does come back he will be the leader that they have been lacking in the secondary. The biggest addition in my eyes is the rookie on the other side of Andre Johnson, DeAndre "Nuke" Hopkins. His big play ability along side Johnson's will make the Texans passing attack more explosive. The biggest concern the Texan fans should have is the health of Arian Foster. He's been banged up a lot in the past but the addition of Greg Jones from the Jags should help that. The Houston Texans will make a run in the playoffs but can they get over their past demons?


2. Indianapolis Colts

Projected record: 9-7
Andrew Luck's second season in the NFL will a tough test. After throwing for 4000+ yards with 23 TD's and 18 INT's, the #1 overall pick is hoping to drop the number of picks he threw last year. The Colts upgraded their offensive line with the signings of Donald Thomas and Gosder Cherilus, in hopes of becoming a more run heavy team. They also added Ahmad Bradshaw to the stable of backs they already possessed to add to their play action heavy offense. Adding Darrius Heyward-Bey gives the Colts the deep threat receiver they missed last year and it will help Luck find his beloved tight ends. The Colts also improved their defense with the signings of Erik Walden, LaRon Landry, Ricky Jean Francois and Aubrayo Franklin. The Colts will challenge the Texans for the division title but will fall short because of the inexperience of the team. They might be a year away from a division title.  


3. Tennessee Titans 

Projected record 6-10.
The Titans are hoping for a resurgent year from CJ2K after his big talk in the off-season. Bringing in Shonn Greene as a compliment should help Johnson get back to form. Also with the addition of Chance Warmack and Andy Levitre to the offensive line should help open up holes for Johnson and keep Jake Locker off of his back. Adding Delanie Walker and drafting Justin Hunter will help Locker stretch the field for some big plays in the passing game and Hunter's speed can be used in the return game as well. The Titans defense will be better this year with new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and the addition of hard hitting safety Bernard Pollard. The Titans look to take a step forward this season to hopefully contend for a playoff spot. Johnson will have a good year but can Jake Locker bounce back from his forgettable season last year?

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Projected record 3-13
No surprise here. The Jags are just bad and it starts with the quarterback position. Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne. Not the ideal quarterback situation which is why the Jags will rely on Maurice Jones-Drew and new addition Justin Forsett. Adding Mohamed Massaquoi and Jordan Shipley should help the passing game and give MJD more room to work. Also drafting Denard Robinson will make them more explosive offensively and especially in the return game.   Defensively the Jags have boosted each level with the signings of Roy Miller, Sen'Derrick Marks, Kyle Love, Geno Hayes, Alan Ball and Marcus Trufant. Look for the Jags to be picking in the top 3 of next years draft, most likely picking a quarterback. 




Leave comments below let me know what you think.


-Juice