2014 AFC North Predictions

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): The main storyline for the Ravens this offseason has been Ray Rice's suspension (or lack there of) where he has been suspended for just two games after physically abusing his wife in a video released by TMZ. Rice was a key part in Baltimore's Super Bowl run two years ago, yet the running back had an off year in 2013 (660 rushing yards, 4 TDs). After being signed to a monster contract in the 2013 offseason, Joe Flacco threw the most interceptions of his career with 22 in 2014, and also recorded the worst passer rating while playing in the NFL after posting a 73.1. Luckily, the Ravens' receiving corp will be one of the best in all of football next season, seeing how they added veteran Steve Smith, while tight end Dennis Pitta will return from a season ending injury that he suffered in 2013 to rejoin receivers Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Defensively, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervill are all former All-Pros, yet the three defenders are at least 30 years of age, meaning the best days of football are now behind them. This means youngsters like linebacker C.J. Mosley, outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (both Alabama alums) and short safety Matt Elam will have the opportunity to shine in 2014. If Flacco is able to improve from last year, the Ravens could make a run in the playoffs.

2. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Cincinnati's offense revolves around star wide receiver AJ Green, who has caught for more than 95 receptions in each of the past two seasons, and also eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards every year, including his rookie season. Running back Giovani Bernard had an impressive rookie season, and you can expect him to obtain more carries in 2014. Quarterback Andy Dalton may be improving statistically over the course of the past three seasons, but he remains winless in the postseason throughout his career. The defense lost their star defensive tackle Geno Atkins to an ACL injury last year, and he has just recently been taken off of the PUP list. As of right now, Cincinnati's best defensive player is linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who was named to the Pro-Bowl team in just his second season in the league. The AFC North is becoming more competitive with young talent, so I doubt the Bengals will be able to win the division for a second straight year

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-9): Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is now 32 years old, and seeing how his significant size made him a feared passer during his prime, it comes as no surprise that Roethlisberger is becoming more inconsistent as his body begins to wear down. Not having receivers Mike Wallace or Hines Ward has clearly affected Pittsburgh's passing game, but now Antonio Brown has transformed into the star of this offense. Running back Le'Veon Bell has the potential to be a star in the near future, seeing how he rushed for 860 yards with 8 touchdowns in his rookie season. On defense, 8 projected starters are 27 years old or less, which means defensively, the team is very different from the one who defeated Arizona in the Super Bowl six years ago. Second year linebacker Jarvis Jones had just one sack in his rookie season, so hopefully, he will be able to have a more successful sophomore season. Pittsburgh drafted All-American linebacker Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State, as well as defensive end Stephon Tuitt from Notre Dame. With Pittsburgh's new look on both offense and defense, the Steelers should be hoping to reach the .500 mark, not a spot in the playoffs.

4. Cleveland Browns (5-11): The Cleveland Browns have gained more media attention than any other team in football because of the drafting of Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel, as well as All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon's looming suspension. Luckily, the Browns also signed receivers Nate Burleson and Miles Austin, along with running back Ben Tate in order to provide their young quarterback--who has yet to win the starting job--with more offensive weapons. The defense has several big names on their roster, including cornerback Joe Haden, linebacker Paul Kruger, and rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert. The Cleveland Browns are taking steps in the right direction, but are still several years away from competing for a spot in the playoffs. 

Josh Gordon Arrested For Driving While Impaired

Josh Gordon, a star wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, was arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina for driving while impaired according to the police captain in Raleigh. Gordon was already in trouble earlier in the offseason for yet another failed drug test, causing him to face a year-long suspension that is still being reviewed by the NFL and will be decided at his hearing in July. In 14 games, Gordon managed to lead the league in receiving yards last season with 1,646 yards and an additional 9 touchdown receptions. Looking forward to 2014, the Browns have recently drafted quarterback Johnny Manziel, and this young passer certainly would like his wide receiver to be playing in as many games as possible.

Johnny Manziel Told to 'Tone it Down' by Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam

Ever since Texas A&M played their final game of the season against Duke in the Chick-Fil-A-Bowl, quarterback Johnny Manziel has had no problem finding time to entertain himself throughout the offseason. The incessant partying has caused Cleveland Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam to talk to Johnny Manziel, telling him to try be conscious of his decisions, especially due to the power of social media.

More from @mortreport on Manziel, via NFL Insiders. "He's been told to cool it. He's been told to tone it down."
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) June 27, 2014

The Cleveland Browns knew when drafting Manziel that the young quarterback enjoys partying when he is off the football field, but many have begun to question whether or not Manziel is focused enough to take over Cleveland's offense at this point in time. Although  we have seen Manziel partying with models, Rob Grownkowski, and floating swans during the offseason, the final straw for owner Jimmy Haslam was a video on Instagram showing Manziel talking into a stack of money and using profanity. Manziel responded to these rumors at training camp when he said, "I am going to enjoy my time off. I’m very about football and very about my job, which doesn’t get reported or won’t get reported, but I am going to enjoy my time off. That’s I think what everybody else does and that’s what I should do...I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong."

Johnny Manziel College Highlight Video (2012-2014)

Check out our latest highlight video of star college quarterback Johnny Manziel, or "Johnny Football", as he leaves Texas A&M to play for the Cleveland Browns in 2014. Manziel managed to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy for his spectacular play during the regular season, becoming the first freshman in college football history to do so. For more highlight videos of some of football's biggest stars, be sure to check out our channel, The NFL Report.

Josh Gordon Faces Season-Long Suspension

Breaking News: After drafting Johnny Manziel in the first round of the NFL Draft last evening, the Cleveland browns received devastating news that star wide receiver Josh Gordon may be facing a season-long suspension due to yet another failed drug test. Last June, Gordon was suspended for a failed drug test, and missed the first two games of the season; however, with a second failed draft test in the league, Gordon may now be out for the rest season. The 2013 season was a breakout season for Gordon, where in 14 games, Gordon caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards and 9 touchdowns. Clearly, the Cleveland Browns are working hard to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history, and Gordon's suspension may ruin any chances of hoisting the trophy this season.

College Football-NFL Comparisons: Khalil Mack

A couple of things you might not know about the University of Buffalo outside linebacker: He received a single scholarship offer to play college football, which he obviously accepted, and now with 16 forced fumbles in his career he holds the all time NCAA record. He was unquestionably the MAC defensive player of the year, and finished his career tied for first in career tackles for loss in the NCAA with an astonishing 75. Everyone sees Mack going in the first round, but many in fact see him going top 5. Although people love to talk about the level of competition he has faced in his career, on the big stage against Ohio State he recorded 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown. To me, some of the criticism Mack receives is blatantly unfair: Many say that he seems like such a complete player that he won't mature in the NFL; I.e, he has already reached his ceiling. This is frankly idiotic. The inane suggestion that because a player does not have an obvious and correctable flaw ready for improvement at the next level he therefore cannot improve in the NFL is bordering on humorous and definitely unfair. Setting this argument aside, most see Mack as an absolute defensive terror, and rightly so. Although he has done his work in the MAC, and that can't be ignored, it also is unfair to base a negative judgement on him simply because he played so well at a lower level than other popular collegiate players. Many think he could definitely do what he did in the SEC, for example, which would probably grant him Jadaveon Clowney status, or better in fact. I am inclined to agree, and I think like most that Mack resembles a talented NFL player already. In fact, he has drawn comparison with Von Miller. While this is obvious, and quite a compliment, a far more interesting comparison is between Khalil Mack and Bills' Mario Williams. It was Browns' head coach Mike Pettine who drew this fascinating comparison, between two players who don't even play the same position and definitely have different body types. But both players play best coming off the edge, so well that they change a game plan. In this respect, Mack deserves both comparisons, and the Browns for one would love to take him fourth overall.  

Fan Creates Funny Brandon Weeden "Tribute" Video

After just two seasons with the team, the Cleveland Browns have decided to release 30-year-old quarterback Brandon Weeden. Weeden's combined record with the team stood at 9-23, a win percentage of just 28.12%. In response to the recent news of Weeden's departure, a football fan decided to create a comical highlight video, but not in the traditional sense. This fan decided to show the many interceptions of Weeden's career, with the concluding slide reading, "Thanks for the memories, Brandon." Click to watch the video below.

College Football-NFL Comparisons: Blake Bortles

        Some are saying Bortles will now go second overall, if the Browns trade up for the pick. Houston is another likely suitor, and with all the permutations there are even mock drafts where he goes first overall. This is a quarterback coming off one hell of a season, in which he took a mid major (read: mediocre) program to a BCS bowl game, and there stunned the 5 ranked Bears in the Tostitos Fiesta bowl. A great end to a great career for Bortles, and since then (and really the whole stellar season he had, with well north of 3,500 passing yards) everyone has realized that he may well become pretty important pretty quickly in the NFL. That said, a comparison I recently saw drawn with Andrew Luck is one of the silliest symptoms of draft hype I have seen in recent memory. Blake Bortles does not have the athleticism (a 4.93 40, vs a 4.6 from Luck), passing ability, composure in the pocket, or big game experience of Andrew Luck. That list could easily go on for a paragraph. Of course, Luck sets a shockingly high bar, as he has already proved to be a Pro-Bowl caliber player at his age. Luck played on a vastly superior team outside of Palo Alto and simply had much more to his résumé going into the draft. He may be an all time great; That can't be said at all about Bortles.

        A much more reasonable comparison to make would be with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. This is generous, certainly, but both players are slow, fairly accurate, and struggle with the long ball. Ryan wins games, and Bortles has proven he can do that, even on a team like UCF. Game management matters, and that I am happy to give to Bortles. Both quarterbacks excel in the quick, short game, and are just athletic enough to occasionally extend plays with their feet, but surprise everyone when they do so. In sum Bortles is a good player, in fact he may have won the best quarterback of the draft status, but most have rightly pointed out that we can by no means call him elite. He will go very high in the draft, and likely have a solid career as a starter in the NFL. Wherever he goes, he will almost definitely be starting as soon as he arrives, so we don't have long to wait to see how a good college season (and player) translates into the NFL.

(His girlfriend, I will give elite status. A ludicrous amount of hits on google.)

Jim Harbaugh Nearly Traded to Cleveland Browns

Earlier this evening, a story broke on Pro Football Talk that the Cleveland Browns were having serious discussions with the San Francisco 49ers regarding a trade involving coach Jim Harbaugh. For a franchise that has not won a Super Bowl, Jim Harbaugh would have been a perfect addition to the coaching staff in Cleveland, instead of Cleveland's recent hiring of Mike Pettine, the former defensive coordinator for Buffalo. In return for trading away Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers would have likely received several draft picks from the Browns. In his first three seasons with the 49ers, Harbaugh has taken the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship Games, as well as one Super Bowl. On the other hand, the Browns finished 2013 at 4-12, and have not made the playoffs since 2002.  For now, however, Jim Harbaugh will remain in San Francisco.

2012 NFL Predictions (AFC North)

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): The loss of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs hurts this glorified defense exponentially. Thirty seven is old for a middle linebacker, but not including the four missed four games, Ray Lewis had yet another extraordinary season. Alongside fellow veteran Ed Reed, this duo must stay consistent and injury free to keep Baltimore in the hunt. Ray Rice is the best all-around running back, and is the clear MVP of this mediocre offense. Joe Flacco's goal should be to reach 4,000 passing yards, as well as a career low in interceptions. Watch out for the Ravens if all goes as planned.

Ed Reed (Boston Globe)

Week 1: Bengals @ Ravens W
Week 2: Ravens @ Eagles L
Week 3: Patriots @ Ravens L
Week 4: Browns @Ravens W
Week 5: Ravens @ Chiefs L
Week 6: Cowboys @ Ravens W
Week 7: Ravens @ Texans L
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Ravens @ Browns W
Week 10: Raiders @ Ravens W
Week 11: Ravens @ Steelers W
Week 12: Ravens @ Chargers L
Week 13: Steelers @ Ravens W
Week 14: Ravens @ Redskins W
Week 15: Broncos @ Ravens W
Week 16: Giants @ Ravens W
Week 17: Ravens @ Bengals W



2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): The Cincinnati Bengals will be a threat to take down any team in 2012, quite possibly the most lethal opponent for any playoff contender. There is a lot of young players on this roster, which makes me worried about their consistency throughout the regular season. Andy Dalton proved he can carry the weight of the franchise, especially when throwing to star wide out AJ Green. The defense surprising did very well, and will most likely carry over into this upcoming season. Experience is hard to find in Cincinnati, but the youngsters may be the dark horses of 2012.

Andy Dalton

Week 1: Bengals @ Ravens L
Week 2: Browns @ Bengals W
Week 3: Bengals @ Redskins W
Week 4: Bengals @ Jaguars W
Week 5: Dolphins @ Bengals W
Week 6: Bengals @ Browns W
Week 7: Steelers @ Bengals W
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Broncos @ Bengals W
Week 10: Giants @ Bengals L
Week 11: Bengals @ Chiefs L
Week 12: Raiders @ Bengals W
Week 13: Bengals @ Chargers W
Week 14: Cowboys @ Bengals W
Week 15: Bengals @ Eagles L
Week 16: Bengals @ Steelers L
Week 17: Ravens @ Bengals L



3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): The Pittsburgh Steelers made a quick exit from the playoffs in 2012 after losing to quarterback sensation Tim Tebow. The draft was nothing special either, except for two big offensive lineman in the first few rounds. This defense is not getting any younger, and Pittsburgh is not known for possessing an extraordinary offense. In the competitive AFC North, a spot in the playoffs would be considered a successful 2012 season. Do not be expecting a Super Bowl appearance.

Antonio Brown

Week 1: Steelers @ Broncos L
Week 2: Jets @ Steelers W
Week 3: Steelers @ Raiders W
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Eagles @ Steelers W
Week 6: Steelers @ Titans W
Week 7: Steelers @ Bengals L
Week 8: Redskins @ Steelers W
Week 9: Steelers @ Giants L
Week 10: Chiefs @ Steelers W
Week 11: Ravens @ Steelers L
Week 12: Steelers @ Browns W
Week 13: Steelers @ Ravens L
Week 14: Chargers @ Steelers L
Week 15: Steelers @ Cowboys W
Week 16: Bengals @ Steelers W
Week 17: Steelers @ Browns W



4. Cleveland Browns (1-15): The Cleveland Browns added two big names in last year's draft; quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson. An above average defense along with a youthful roster made Cleveland's 2012 campaign look somewhat respectable when entering August. However, the preseason did not start off well after many injuries took place, one to their prized rookie running back. The Browns have by far the most difficult schedule of any team in the NFL. In most years, Cleveland would have a shot at the .500 mark, but if the injuries continue, they'll have to worry about an 0-16 record.

Josh Cribbs

Week 1: Eagles @ Browns L
Week 2: Browns @ Bengals L
Week 3: Bills @ Browns L
Week 4: Browns @ Ravens L
Week 5: Browns @ Giants L
Week 6: Bengals @ Browns L
Week 7: Browns @ Colts L
Week 8: Chargers @ Browns L
Week 9: Ravens @ Browns L
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Browns @ Cowboys L
Week 12: Steelers @ Browns L
Week 13: Browns @ Raiders L
Week 14: Chiefs @ Browns L
Week 15: Redskins @ Browns W
Week 16: Browns @ Broncos L
Week 17: Browns @ Steelers L

Preseason: Players to Watch (AFC North)

Pittsburgh Steelers: OT David DeCastro: For a team who ranked 24th in sacks allowed, newly drafted offensive lineman David DeCastro will be extremely important in this team's offensive success. DeCastro weighs in at 6'5", 316 pounds, and is able to contain some of the nation's best defensive prospects. However, it will be interesting to see how DeCastro reacts to the big, skillful defensive linemen in the NFL. If we were to see DeCastro struggling in the four upcoming preseason games, the Pittsburgh Steelers should be worried about their draft pick.

Leon Hall

Baltimore Ravens: DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw: Imagine if opposing offensive linemen had to focus on someone else besides Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Haloti Ngata. What if newly drafted linebacker Courtney Upshaw turned into one of the NFL's biggest stars. Upshaw was one of the best blitzing linebackers entering the 2012 NFL Draft, and might be dangerous when factored in to this already dangerous Ravens defense. However, Upshaw has a lot of weight on his shoulders if the Ravens wish to balance out their defense without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs. Hopefully, the rookie will show signs of stardom in the next few preseason games.

Cincinnati Bengals: CB Leon Hall: After an injury to his Achilles tendon, Leon Hall was placed on the IR in 2011, missing the remainder of the season. Hall returned last Friday in the game against New York, with two solo tackles by the end the time the clock hit 00:00. However, rookie corner back Dre Kirkpatrick is expected to miss up to 6 weeks due to a fractured knee. If Kirkpatrick is later than scheduled, Hall will have to bear the burden if leading an already injury-ridden pass defense. Once the rookie returns, and lives up to expectations, the Bengals defense could be ferocious.

Cleveland Browns: QB Brandon Weeden: It only gets worse for the Cleveland Browns; not only are they without Mohamed Massaquoi and Chris Gocong (along with Joe Haden and Scott Fujita who both face suspension), but now, running back Trent Richardson, the 3rd overall pick, has also gone down with an injury. This puts a lot of pressure on rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden. Weeden may not have been put in the same class as rookies like RGIII and Andrew Luck, but at 28, Weeden enters the prime of his quarterback career. The Browns are not known to have a lethal passing game, and they are hoping that by the regular season, Weeden will be able to fix that. However, he should be careful, because Colt McCoy will always be lingering on the sidelines.

NFL Report Update: Cleveland Browns

Breaking News: The Cleveland Browns are now under a new ownership, soon to be run by businessman Jimmy Haslam. The previous Browns owner, Randy Lerner, was head-chief since 2002, whereas his father has been a part of this organization since its revival in 1998. Browns fans have struggled to keep faithful within the past four years, due to the fact that their winning percentage tops out at .390 in that span. The deal is still pending among NFL officials.

Top 10 Helmet Designs: Cleveland Browns

9. Cleveland Browns: When talking about the Cleveland Browns helmet among fellow football fans, they either love it or hate it; this helmet is all a matter of opinion. The jerseys are hideous, but these solid orange helmets are quite possibly the most well known among football fans. So why are the helmets orange? Aren't these guys called the Browns? There are several stories on why Cleveland chose pumpkin colored head protectors, but if you think you know the answer, please respond in the comment section below. Even if we may never know the history of this team's helmet design, it is still one of the most iconic in pro football.