AFC NORTH Week 1 Forecast

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In the Hood: The AFC North - AFC NORTH Week 1 Forecast

Plus a look back on the preseason

Posted On: 9/5/07

Written By:

Eric Buckner

ITH takes a look at the end of the preseason (thank goodness!) and predictions for week #1 of the regular season.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens used the last game of the preseason to rest their starters as 13 of their 22 did not participate at all against the Falcons. This enabled the coaching staff to get a full game of tape to assess the back-up players and those that would or would not make up the final 53 man roster. It is likely that K Rhys Lloyd won a spot with the team as a result of his booming kick-offs that have reached the end zone with regularity. The 55 yard made field goal would have likely been good from 60 – 65 yards. Lloyd’s value most likely will show up in the form of a fresher Matt Stover in December and January as there will be less wear and tear on Stover’s leg.

Preseason Schedule Date	Opponent
Monday, August 13	RAVENS 29 EAGLES 3
Sunday, August 19	GIANTS 13 RAVENS 12
Saturday, August 25	Redskins 13, Ravens 7
Friday, August 31	Falcons 13, Ravens 10

Cincinnati Bengals

Both Marvin Lewis and Tony Dungy treated the final preseason game more like a nuisance than anything meaningful.

"It's a game where we want to keep that clock moving," said Cincinnati's Lewis. "That's a point of emphasis."

QB Carson Palmer didn't even wear a brace on his surgically reconstructed left knee, knowing he wouldn't play. The Bengals rested right tackle Willie Anderson, who returned to practice this week. Anderson had been sidelined throughout training camp with a painful right foot that clouds his chance of starting the opener. Left tackle Levi Jones, who missed most of training camp while recovering from knee surgery, played in his second consecutive preseason game and complained afterward that he hasn't been getting enough time in practice. The Bengals cut LB Edgerton Hartwell who did not make the final roster.

Preseason Schedule Date	Opponent
Thursday, August 9	Lions 27 Bengals 26
Saturday, August 18	SAINTS 27 BENGALS 19
Monday, August 27	Falcons 24 Bengals 19
Friday, August 31	BENGALS 14, COLTS 6

Cleveland Browns

The Browns concluded a successful preseason by knocking off the defending NFC Champions on Thursday night.

"Really across the board, every position was just amazing", QB Brady Quinn said. "I think you can truly see that. You can see that by the way we moved the ball consistently, put points on the board consistently throughout the preseason."

Chicago's Daniel Manning fumbled a kickoff near the goal line in the closing seconds of the first quarter after QB Derek Anderson led the Browns to a field goal, resulting in a safety that gave Cleveland a 5-0 lead. Joshua Cribbs returned a punt 70 yards for the game's first touchdown early in the second quarter. Quinn then led a 50-yard drive on the Browns' next possession that ended with Jerome Harrison scoring from the 1-yard line. The Browns have named QB Charlie Frye as their week 1 starter.

Preseason Schedule Date	Opponent
Saturday, August 11	BROWNS 16 CHIEFS 12
Saturday, August 18	LIONS 23 BROWNS 20
Saturday, August 25	Browns 17 Broncos 16
Thursday, August 30	Browns 19, Bears 9

Pittsburgh Steelers

About the only thing determined in the Steelers' 19-3 victory over the Panthers on Thursday night in the final preseason game is that Carolina's reserves can't hold onto the ball. Jeff Reed kicked four field goals and Tyrone Carter's 32-yard interception return for a touchdown with a minute left put it away for the Steelers (4-1), who forced six turnovers in new coach Mike Tomlin's final tune-up.

"I thought this was a nice finish to a very productive preseason," Tomlin said.

The final preseason game lived up to its billing as an exercise in keeping the starters healthy -- and providing little insight in the teams' progress.

Preseason Schedule Date	Opponent
Sunday, August 5	Steelers 20, Saints 7, Canton, OH
Saturday, August 11	PACKERS 13 STEELERS 9
Saturday, August 18	Steelers 12 Redskins 10
Sunday, August 26	STEELERS 27 EAGLES 13
Thursday, August 30	Steelers 19, Panthers 3

Week 1 Predictions

Baltimore at Cincinnati

While it is very difficult to win on the road in the NFL, the Ravens may have an opportunity to steal one in the opener. Most observers are concerned about the status of OT Jonathan Ogden, but the Bengals offensive line also has question marks and will be severely tested as OT Levi Jones returns from knee surgery and OT Willie Anderson may not play. The Ravens will likely benefit as a result of the suspension of WR Chris Henry, who has tortured the Ravens in years past and has the unique ability to stretch the field in 3 receiver sets opening up running lanes for teammates TJ Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson. Without Henry to worry about, the Rex Ryan led Ravens defense can add help on covering the other receivers and turn the pass rush loose with more confidence.

Baltimore 19 Cincinnati 16

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

The traditional AFC Central rivals are pitted against one another in week 1. The Steelers won each match-up in 2006, pasting the Browns at Heinz Field and winning a tight contest in Cleveland in the game’s last minute. Traditionally, week 1 match-ups usually contain a game changing special teams play and the Browns are hoping for some Joshua Cribbs magic. Look for RB Jamal Lewis to get a lot of touches and keep the Browns in the game early, but QB Ben Roethlisberger should have the upper hand against the Browns secondary assuming that he is adequately protected by his Offensive line. The Browns defense has not been consistent against the run (see preseason game versus Denver), and that should prove to be their downfall in this contest.

Pittsburgh 27 Cleveland 14