Season 46 AFC North Preview
by Kris_06905 | 2 years ago | 0 Comments
Season 46 SFL Preview: AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals: CincyIceBerg3 is back at the helm of the Bengals for the Madden 23 cycle. Few teams are a sure a bet to make the SFL playoffs every year as the Bengals have been under Ice's ownership. With Burrow, Chase, Mixon on offense and Bates, Awuzi, Hendrickson, and Reader on defense, the Bengals look to be set for the 23 cycle. This division is traditionally one of the toughest in the league, but two new owners to the AFC North take over the Ravens and Browns this year. Both have SFL experience but will be new to the AFC. Even with the unknowns, the Bengals are always good and Cincy has 3 SFL championships on his resume. Season 1 prediction: 14-3
Pittsburgh Steelers: The second longest tenured team in the SFL is the Steeler under owner DJteelcity412, or Steven King. And while he may not be the king of horror, the SFL's Steven King always fields a monster of a team. King and the Steelers are still trying to capture the magic that made the them the Super Bowl VII champions and this may be the cycle that gets them back to the Hall of Champions. The question for the Steelers is who will be the quarterback. Trubisky is getting a second chance in Pittsburgh and certainly has the tools to be successful. He showed flashes of what he can do in Chicago, but time ran out for him there. The ghosts of Dan Marino undoubtedly played into the Steelers drafting Kenny Pickett out of Pitt. The thought of letting another potential generational talent at QB leave their backyard was likely the biggest factor in Pickett's selection. Well, that and Big Ben's retirement. Defense is always "king" in the Steel City and Watt, Heyward, Fitzpatrick, and Jack will help maintain that truth. If the offense can get consistent play at QB then the Steelers will be in the hunt. Season 1 prediction: 11-6
Baltimore Ravens: Cactusjack takes over the Ravens from longtime owner KillerKevin. Jack comes over from the NFC South where he helmed an understaffed Falcons squad. Jack will have a vastly improved squad in Baltimore. Kevin moved down the road to take over the Washington Commanders and Jack was thrilled to take the reigns of the Ravens. The question for Jack will be at WR. There isn't anyone who scares you at that position, but Lamar Jackson is able to create on his own better than anyone else at the QB position. LJ will have all-world TE Mark Andrews and a solid offensive line and running back crew. The offense will be as scary as an Edgar Allen Poe short story for opposing defenses even without a true #1 WR. The defense is aging, but solid in almost every position and they have the best kicker in the league. If the game is close, the Ravens know Tucker is as automatic as they get. The biggest challenge for the Ravens will be navigating a division schedule that includes SFL greats in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh twice a year. Season 1 prediction: 9-8
Cleveland Browns: Skippy comes over from leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last cycle to try and salvage the Browns. We'll ignore the quarterback situation and look at the rest of the roster. On paper the Browns look like they should be a lock for the post-season with 5 players rated above 90. That includes Madden Club 99 member Myles Garrett who, with the improved passs rush of Madden 23, should have a breakout season. The Browns passing game is up in the air (and not in a good way), but that may not matter as the Browns have arguably the best backfield in the SFL this season. Chubb at 96 OVR and Hunt at 86 OVR will be a 1-2 punch that few defenses will be able to contain. And whoever the QB is, Amari Cooper is one of the best route runners in the game. Route running figures to be a huge asset with the new passing mechanics of Madden this cycle. Skippy had great success with Tom Brady and the Bucs, but there are too many variables with the Browns team and the switch to an ultra-competitive AFC North to make a fair prediction for the season, but since that's kinda the point of this article; Season 1 prediction: 7-10