Now lets look at the other Northern division in football, the AFC North. Normally, Pittsburgh and Baltimore would be running this division but now it seems that like the NFC North, a group of cats are kings of the jungle... Lets break it all down, and pass out some grades shall we?
Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-2, 3rd in the division
Grade: C-
This team, and no offense to anyone that is a Steelers fan, should be known as the Pittsburgh AARP. That defense is still way too old and they didnt do much to fix it in the offseason, but that neither here nor there. Looking at the first 4 games, this team goes through ups and downs each week. Dominant one week, weak the next. In fact, if you look at the first game they played, they should be 1-3, if not for their defense actually playing like a good team would. Im glad the Le'Veon Bell is doing well but this is only going to go so far. Also looking at the last of the four games, i understand that in the NFL anyone can win, but seriously how do you allow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the same Tampa Bay that got smashed by Atlanta, to put up 27 points in a comeback win? Completely unacceptable, which makes me question your next 4 games and the only reason they have a C- is due to them shutting down Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Next 4 games: at Jacksonville, at Cleveland, vs Houston, vs Indianapolis
Difficulty:9.5/10
Cleveland Browns: 1-2( bye week on week 4), 4th in the division
Grade: D
Im going to start off by saying something that needs to be said and I hope you agree:
CUT THE CRAP AND START JOHNNY MANZIEL. This team season is over, yes I know its early but lets not kid ourselves, this team has only one win, and thats against a New Orleans team that can't stop ANYONE on defense. The issue I have is that Clevelands next 4 games are very winnable only if Johnny Football is playing. Manziel needs to play and get acclimated to live NFL games, because eventually this season, your big gun in Josh Gordon will be coming back. Hopefully they realize it before its too late and stop with this "Oh Brian Hoyer is better than Manziel" lie.
Next 4 games: at Tennessee, vs Pittsburgh, at Jacksonville, vs Oakland
Difficulty: 5.5/10
Baltimore Ravens: 3-1, 2nd in the division
Grade: A-
This team is like a bad plague: it just won't go away. Baltimore doesn't have much issues after the first 4 teams, except they have to run into Cincinnati one more time later on in the season. But looking at the first four games, despite the Ray Rice issue they had and have, this team looks like it could get a Wild Card spot. The defense needs to play a bit better, particularly in the pass defense, but they should make some noise later on.
Next 4 games: at Indianapolis, at Tampa Bay, vs Atlanta, at Cincinnati
Difficulty: 8/10
Cincinnati Bengals: 3-0, 1st in the division
Grade: A+
Dominant. That's it, they have been dominant for the first 3 games of the season. Check this out, they are 9th in passing yards, and 17th and 18th in defense passing and rushing. On top of this, they have allowing a combined 33 points to the combined 80 points they have racked up. Now while the teams they have played are a bit of some pushovers, they can't get complacent. They have 2 difficult but winnable games coming up, and a divisional game that might decide how good they are. But while they are currently one of two undefeated, the question that needs to be asked in the city of Cincinnati is this: is this a sign of things to come in the form of a playoff win, or will they just raise our hopes to let us down in January?
Next 4 games: at New England, vs Carolina, at Indianapolis, vs Baltimore
Difficulty: 7.5/10
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