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  1. 16 CHI 38 MIN
  2. 21 TB 43 CAR
  3. 27 PHI 26 JAX
  4. 0 SF 0 LAR
  5. 0 CIN 0 IND
  6. 0 BUF 0 DEN
  7. 0 KC 0 LAC
  8. 0 WAS 0 TEN
  9. 0 DAL 0 CLE
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  12. 0 NE 0 GB
  13. 0 LV 0 NYJ
  14. 0 NO 0 ARI
  15. 0 SEA 0 MIA
  16. 0 PIT 0 BAL

AMLoB AFC North Review of Madden 18 and Preview of Madden 19

by Ljdubzero | 6 years ago | 0 Comments

AFC North Preview

 

Cincinnati Bengals

 

  • Review of Seasons 6-13: The Bengals had a great cycle as they were handled by 1 user throughout. I mean 5 playoff appearances, 3 division titles, 3 conference championship appearances and 2 super bowl appearances is a lot in an 8 season span. Despite a couple of really inactive seasons this team ended up 75-53 overall with a playoff record of 8-5 so when I think one of the most successful runs in the league this cycle, the Bengals definitely come up. It helps a lot when you have the 4th ranked in user success of the cycle running the show. This team hit and I mean really hit in the 1st draft as they took on what came to be 2 1st team AP players and a few other key pieces in drafts that followed. Adibi and Westbrook were 2 elite level talents that helped make this team go. Bishes will be missed by the people in Cincinnati but hopefully the former Patriots user, Grid, can keep this train going.
  • Preview to Madden 19: The Bengals aren’t really a great roster off the jump and will require some good moves in order to sustain the success from last cycle. The good thing is that Grid is used to performing well with not so talented rosters. This team has nice pieces on both sides of the ball that can be very useful so the development of guys like Mixon, Ross, Willis and Jackson are gonna be crucial. The division is very tough but I think Grid can keep this team in contention for division titles. Watching how Grid takes this team and molds them into what he wants them to be with a team he has from the beginning will tell us just how well he can really compete in this league. Look for this team to consistently contend for the division and the playoffs.

 

Cleveland Browns

 

  • Review of Seasons 6-13: The Browns regular season numbers late were being called some of the greatest regular seasons of league history, including a undefeated regular season which is the only time it’s ever happened in league history. This team was riddled with 1st and 2nd team AP’s and with such a talented roster, he could you go wrong. 7 playoff appearances in 8 seasons is absurd especially when you consider the 5 division titles, 3 conference championship appearances, 2 Super Bowl appearances and a 98-29-1 record in that 8 season span. Adrian West is considered one of the greatest QB’s in league history with his numbers and accolades along with Godspeed who set the league on fire in all 3 seasons in the league. Tied for the most AP guys with 10, shows that this team was developed and played really well so the this cycle was a great one for the #3 ranked user in terms of success of the cycle.
  • Preview to Madden 19: As we look into Madden 19 and the Browns have a crazy talented young roster to develop, and keeping the user that specializes in that department could spell really good things for the Browns. Pook returning to this team means they could go on a run similar to their time in the Madden 18 cycle which could lead them to their first league title ever. This team will definitely put on a show in Madden 19 and will be worth the price of admission as they try to puts firm handle on the division once again. The division will be pretty tough though so we shall see how Pook handles it with his young guys.

 

Baltimore Ravens

 

  • Review of Seasons 6-13: The Ravens were a team that struggled for most of the CFM but came on more strongly towards the end although they couldn’t quite get over the hump and make the playoffs. Ending at 53-75 shows you that this team couldn’t quite get it done when they needed to. They showed promise and flashes which was a good sign especially when Buggs was putting up big time numbers with this team. Other than Buggs this team did struggle with talent development and getting the right guys in to fit Crown’s system and potentially help this team get that elusive playoff appearance that they were fighting to reach for. Crown showed potential with this team but couldn’t quite get it done is the story of the Ravens Madden 18 cycle.
  • Preview to Madden 19: Insert potentially the most dynamic athlete at QB since Michael Vick and you have your guy to build around in Baltimore. The Ravens have some interesting pieces on both sides of the ball to develop even though it will take a pretty good effort to build this team into the talent they can be. Roger will be taking this team over after a bizarre turn of events that led to him leaving his 9ers he planned to keep for a 3rd straight cycle. Roger does well with developing his guys and making his teams into what he wants them to be so I’m sure he’ll do the same again. The knock against Roger though is sometimes he makes too many moves which leads to struggles at times so we’ll see how he takes on this Ravens team and builds them to what he wants them to be.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

 

  • Review of Seasons 6-13: The Steelers had a really tough go at it in the Madden 18 cycle with a pretty tough division. Bad roster moves and inactivity led to a pretty bad situation that the most stable user they had in the cycle, Jun, couldn’t quite get it turned around. Posting the 3rd lowest win % at 32.81% at a record of 42-86 the Steelers just weren’t that good in the cycle. So many of the really good things that made this team what they were didn’t last more than 3 seasons from Martavis to Le’Veon this team was moving a lot of pieces. Not many redeeming things from the cycle about this team aside from Jun taking on the tall task of this team and not doing too bad. Anyway you look at it, the team just struggled and the cycle was a lost one for the franchise.
  • Preview to Madden 19: Jun returns back to the Steelers in Madden 19 which will be much more talented than the team he inherited last cycle but also in a much tougher division at least user wise. Jun has shown he can win games in the league but it was really hard to judge off of the team he had to deal with in Madden 18. The thing I’m looking forward to the most is just seeing how Jun handles this team since he’ll have them from the beginning as will quite a few later additions to the league. Overall I think Jun is gonna struggle in the division though, I think he has a punchers chance to make it interesting though and anytime that’s the case anything can happen so watch out for Jun and this Steelers team in Madden 19, don’t sleep on them.

 

Division Predictions

 

  • Most Successful: Looking at everything from roster talent to the user that possesses that talent, I think the Browns will be the most successful team overall in this division. Pook is great at developing players along with his ability to make things happen with his teams, so with that being said I think the Browns will be great again this next cycle.
  • User(s) to Watch: Grid would be my user to watch in this division because he finds ways to win games and he can do it with a less than stellar roster as he showed during the madden 18 cycle. Roger is a very close second with Lamar Jackson being the interesting dynamic there but I would still go with Grid as the user to watch
  • Team That Will Struggle: The Steelers have a really tough division and despite the talented roster and a good user with the team, I think that they will have a tough time getting going in this division. I don’t think they’ll be one of the worst around the league but I do believe that they’ll struggle with so many other talented users in the division.
  • Breakout Star: Baker Mayfield could very well end up being one of the best QB’s in the league by the end of the cycle with Pook’s ability to develop guys especially already good guys. Lamar Jackson will probably be a good #2 though in a division that’ll feature 2 rookie QB’s starting
  • Most Likely to Win a Super Bowl: I think the Browns have the best shot at winning a Super Bowl mostly because of the guy controlling the team. So many good young pieces along with the development and user control, this team could be special once again and maybe even capture their first AMLoB title.