In Predicted Order of Finish
1) Tennessee Titans (4-12 3rd Place): The Tennessee Titans have enjoyed one season above .500 in their team history and it might seem odd to see them in this position but, well folks, here they are! Coach Mark Farrell (17-31) is poised to make a run at the division if just a few things can fall his team's way. The biggest concern has to be at QB where erratic Carson Wentz's arm can be found. If some method can be found to limit his weaknesses, Tennessee should be fine. A trio of backs will share the workload. Devin Singletary, David Johnson, and Brian Hill are all capable. Johnson just came to town via a trade with the Rams. 2nd year TE Robert Tonyan might end up becoming a security blanket for Wentz but he will get help from WRs Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, Tre'Quan Smith, Keke Coutee, and a host of others. Tonyan will be joined at the position with James O'Shaughnessy. The offensive line has health issues but is extremely deep and should be able to sustain any problems that come along. The defensive line will need to hold up against the run but does have some pass rush ability. Zach Cunningham and Matt Judon anchor a solid linebacker unit. In the secondary, the Titans boast one of the best safety duos in the league with Tre Boston and veteran Harrison Smith back there. Kenny Moore and Mike Hilton figure to start at the corners. There is a worry against spread attacks but, overall, the group is pretty good.
2) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-13-1 Last Place): Similar to the Titans, Pittsburgh has not enjoyed much success over the past few years. The only coach in Steeler history, Pete Katsafanas, has had three winning seasons and one divisional title during his tenure and this year his squad should contend for his second. QB Ben Roethlisberger has been with the Steelers as long as Katsafanas and the aging signal caller will need to perform well again this year. However, this season he has some help. Three backs (Giovani Bernard, Peyton Barber, and Le'Veon Bell) will need to get it done in the ground game department. However, Pittsburgh has one of the best receiving corps in the division for Big Ben to throw to. WR Allen Robinson is a legit star and Hunter Renfrow should be a solid #2. The Steelers seem primed to run a 2 TE set with the presence of Noah Fant, Hayden Hurst, and Chris Herndon. Finding some added receptions at the WR spot might be a problem. The offensive line is not great, but it does seem to possess enough talent to get the job done. DE Clelin Ferrell and Massive NT Vita Vea will lead the D-line and the linebacking unit could be the best in the division. OLBs Jordan Jenkins and Alex Highsmith can flat out play and MLB Ja'Whaun Bentley is no slouch. Health, though, is a worry. CB Jamel Dean and S Jaquiski Tartt are the best in a secondary that seems decent, albeit not a shut-down unit.
3) Indianapolis Colts (14-2 Lost to Buffalo in Playoffs, Won Division): Coach Bob Durfee pulled the trigger and moved both of his QBs, DeShaun Watson and Jimmy Garoppolo, to Arizona simultaneously making the Cardinals a truly viable contender and all but ending his team's season. Of course, Durfee has heard this type of talk about his teams before and did not blink on the deal that now has Tua Tagovailoa and Drew Brees at the helm. If these two can play well enough, though, the Colts just might have enough to win another divisional crown. Bruising Todd Gurley, Wayne Gallman, and Boston Scott will have to take the pressure off with their running skills at tailback. WRs Marvin Jones, Emmanuel Sanders, and T. Y. Hilton are all capable receivers but tight-end looks like a worry spot with just Greg Olsen and Luke Stocker there. The offensive line is, easily, the best in the division with a few health concerns. C Corey Lindsey is elite. G's Ali Marpet and Rodger Saffold form an outstanding duo while T's Morgan Moses and Dion Dawkins complete one of the best 5's in the AFC. The Colts might have some issues on defense but could be ok if Durfee can figure this out. DT Folorunso Fatakasi is solid as is his running mate DT Javon Hargrave but DE Jerry Hughes is the best on the edge. The linebacking is ok but not overly dominant and also has health problems that will need to be dealt with. Janoris Jenkins and Jason Verrett are pretty good at the corners but walking wounded Richard Sherman might not be enough to withstand spread offenses. S Taylor Rapp is the best they have at S and that could mean big trouble vs tight-ends this season.
4) Cincinnati Bengals (9-7, Missed playoffs, 2nd Place): The Bengals have been a proud organization and among the elite franchises for years but slid a bit last season and missed the post-season after six consecutive years of winning 11 or more games! This year they could slide even more. QB Sam Darnold will be asked to run the ship and he is a far cry from the glory days when Drew Brees was contending for MVP awards every year. RB Mike Davis should be the bell cow in the backfield but the team lacks explosiveness at the position and could even struggle on short yardage downs. WR Curtis Samuel is solid, but the rest of the group is below average and there just is not enough firepower at the tight-end position to offset the lack of talent there. Drew Sample and Zach Ertz will be the two TEs. T Andrew Whitworth, C Chase Roulierre, and G Kevin Zeitler can be excellent on one side of the line and the group would be excellent if not for the health of G James Daniels and T Ronnie Stanley. The defensive line is not over-whelming and lacks any significant pass rush ability and that might force head coach Pierce Roberts to blitz often to get LBs Andrew Van Ginkel and Jerome Baker involved. At one time, the Bengals rolled out one of the best secondaries in football. That is no longer the case with an average unit that also has some nagging injury issues that will need to be juggled. Roberts always has his teams ready to play and this year will be no different. But the lack of top tier talent at key positions could derail even his best efforts.
Posted on 24 Dec 2021 by dolphins
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