Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers are opening up on the road in Kansas City to start the season off. They enter the 2015 season ranked #29. The Chiefs weren't a playoff team last user controlled season, and finished ranked #18 after surrendering the division lead to the Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh drafted a DT at the #2 spot last season. The entire unit will need to perform well, the Chiefs have newly appointed QB Johnny Lemonier and RB standout Jamal Charles to stop on offense. This will be a nice test for the Steelers, who look to return to the glory days of old. Baltimore Ravens - The Reigning, Undisputed, User Controlled champion of the worlddddd, B-More Ravens. They return Flacco, Rice , and Smith on Offense. No reason to believe that they won't compete for the AFC Division title. They open the season vs the Sim-Season title holders, Cleveland Browns on primetime Monday Night Football. Tyrod Taylor gets to face his former team and show why they shouldn't have ever traded him in division. Cleveland Browns - Tyrod Taylor is the new kid in Cleveland. The CPU proved that he can lead a team deep into the playoffs, as a matter of fact, he can lead you to hoisting the Lombardi! Taylor finished last season with a passer rating of 86.6, 3rd amongst starters, behind Matthew Stafford (91.5) and Robert Griffin 3 (92.6). It seems as if Pope knew what he was doing (Divine Intervention???) when he secured him in a trade with the Ravens. Let's see if he can repeat. Cincinnati Bengals - Where to start??? Well, the Bengals have gone through quite a few changes, on offense and defense. Most recently, free agent acquisitions of Tamba Hali, Kyle Wilson, and HoF MLB Ray Lewis. They have released Manning, traded Dalton, and drafted their franchise QB Gabe Minor. Some scratched their heads as the Bengals traded away the #1 pick to the Jaqs, when they could have drafted one of the best young QB's to come out of college, Ryan Irwin. Bengals have switched schemes, and are also running the 3-4 on defense now. "We hope that all the off season moves of the last year have paid off"
Good stuff. I was actually planning on doing something like this this year too, but with my move things have been hectic for me. I have an All AFC North write up from the 1st season that I will finish this weekend and get posted on here. Will help contribute things here and there too once I finished getting settled into my new place. Best of luck to you guys this season! NORTH NORTH!!
Around the North.... Looks like the North is holding it down quite well in the AFC. Browns are one of only three undefeateds left, the only in the AFC. Ravens and Bengals are sitting at 2-1 each, and The Steelers are 1 game under .500. The North is looking like they may be able to contend with the HeavyWeights of a year ago. It is still early, but the signs look good so far. All the 4 owners have put in hours of work in free agency, drafts, and trades, to get their teams to where they wanted them, and it seems as if they have all started to get some cohesiveness in what they've assembled. dablakpope Josh Barnes CTfromDC AveryB
Transactions: As of Week 4 Steelers sign RE- Anton McKeever, Release RE Nicholas Williams. The McKeever signing was under the radar, but it appears that they have gotten a gem. This dude is 21, only 1 year in the lg, overall rating of 84. He has an 81 speed, 85 awareness, 85 block shed, 85 finesses moves, 84 hit power, 84 pursuit, 84 play recognition, and 85 tackle! WTF How did this come to pass? Flacco, Minor, and Taylor need to go ask their GM's this question, they obviously were asleep at the wheel!
We are .500!!! Thanks to two rejuvenated individuals that had excellent efforts against Dallas in week 9. Gio has won back the starting RB position (65% of the snaps), dropping the rook Serratos to share the remaining snaps with Ballard. Gio did it all, scoring twice on the ground and once off of a screen. The agless wonder Ray Lewis had his most impactful game since returning to the league. He led the team in tackles and had two interceptions. Both players were recognized by the league and were voted players of the week, offensive and defensive.
