2004 AFC North Predictions

The NFL season will be here before you know it, but there is still plenty of time to cash in on NFL preseason betting. Jimmy Boyd of Locksmith Sports puts out a few NFL preseason picks during the month of August as he finds value in a few games that will leave extra money in his clients pockets. The real action begins in September though when every Sunday and Monday clients flock to the site looking for the best NFL betting picks that money can buy. We expect nothing short of dominance once again this year, but if you like a different kind of wager like betting on futures, then we have some predictions on the early NFL odds you might like. Today we get started with our 2004 AFC North predictions.

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AFC North Projected Finish

1. Baltimore Ravens

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

3. Cincinnati Bengals

4. Cleveland Browns

The Baltimore Ravens will be the team to beat in this division as I think they end up with a 10-6 record and their season win total of OVER 9 -135 looks like a decent bet because I don’t see the team finishing with a .500 record. Kyle Boller will be back and will be much improved after working with ex-Giant coach Jim Fassel, the new offensive consultant. Jamal Lewis’s legal troubles will hurt the team, but a trial is expected to last only 2 weeks, and there is a possibility it could come before the season begins. This team could have been a favorite if Terrell Owens would have signed; instead they are left with Kevin Johnson and Travis Taylor. The biggest receiving threat will be TE Todd Heap. The defense is going to own teams again this year with a solid line, and what will be an unbelievable linebacker core if Terrell Suggs continues to develop. Their secondary has Baxter and McAllister at CB, both Pro Bowl material, and Ed Reed and Will Demps at safety, both excellent players. This team will be tough to move the ball against no matter what strengths an opposing offense might have.

Chances are the Steelers won’t make the wild card as I think they will finish 8-8. Their win total is at 7.5 so I am leaning towards an over, but I wouldn’t make it a strong play. I like the fact that they are bringing in Duce Staley, this guy is good. Their offense should put up numbers as Tommy Maddox should have time to throw behind an improved line. Their receiving core is definitely in the top tier, with Ward, Burress, and Randle El. Their defensive line is above average, with nose tackle Casey Hampton being a load on opposing lines. Their linebacker core played poorly last season and Gildon is gone. They will have to gel together a little better this season for the Steelers to make a run at the playoffs. The secondary is young and thus will give up a few big plays. This team will be susceptible to the pass, but the good thing is that their offense is explosive enough to put the points up to match.

The Cincinnati Bengals will have a down year this year as they replace Jon Kitna with Carson Palmer. I’m going under 7.5 +100 with the Bengals as I see a 7-9 season ahead. Palmer will take some knocks as he adjusts to life as an NFL Starter. Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry are both bruising rushers, but neither is going to be an elite back. They do have a good receiving core in Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick and that should take a little bit of pressure off of Palmer. Their defense will be led by the line, which has solid players at all 4 spots in Clemons, Thornton, Gardener, and Smith. Their linebacking crew will have Hardy, Webster, and Simmons, all 3 are good players but there aren’t really any standouts. Their secondary is weak and will be exploited by good teams who have enough time to get the ball down field. All in all this entire defense will probably improve from last year due to Lewis’s genius on that side of the ball, but they need a superstar, elite player on defense to make any real strides.

The Cleveland Browns are my NFL futures Widow Wiseguy as I see them going under their 7.5 win total with ease. The QB spot will be vastly improved as the team makes the transition from the Tim Couch era to Jeff Garcia. Garcia still has something left in the tank after getting ousted from the 49ers, he’ll have something to prove. Who starts at running back, William Green or Lee Suggs? Green has had plenty of off-field issues in the past, while Suggs missed most of his rookie season due to shoulder surgery. Kellen Winslow will bring a threat to the passing game, with Morgan, Davis, and Northcutt being slightly above average as a group. This defense is putrid in my opinion with a line of underachievers, especially Courtney Brown. Their linebackers are slightly below average, their secondary is junk. McCutcheon and Henry aren”t going to be sufficient against good WRs and Griffith showed last season that he is washed up. Passing teams will lick their chops against this cupcake defense.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• 2009 AFC North Predictions
• 2009 NFC North Predictions
• 2009 North Carolina College Football Predictions
• North Texas 2009 College Football Predictions
• 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl Picks: Pittsburgh v. North Carolina Football Odds & Predictions

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