The final focus in our NFL division breakdown series is the AFC North defense. While the four teams in the division underachieved in 2013, they have four of the toughest defenses in the NFL overall.
The rankings are extremely close and the 2014 results will likely depend on which team stays the healthiest. Notably, three teams play in a base 3-4 defense: the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns. The Cincinnati Bengals play a 4-3 defense. In ESPN’s rankings for fewest points allowed per game in 2013, the Bengals ranked number one out of all sixteen teams in AFC, the Browns ranked number three, the Ravens ranked number six and the Steelers ranked number seven.
Here is a defensive position-by-position breakdown of the AFC North defense, with the “best” at each position followed by “the rest” in descending order.
AFC North Breakdown: the Defense
Defensive Line
The Best: CIN The Rest: CLE, BAL, PIT
This was a very tough call and the Browns are arguably as good as the Bengals. Geno Atkins is the leader of this stout Bengals line. Assuming Atkins is fully recovered from his ACL tear, there is no other reason to think he will not excel in 2014. Atkins is a top five defensive tackle in the NFL. The Bengals expect Carlos Dunlap to make the next step and fill the role of Michael Johnson, who left in free agency during the offseason. Margus Hunt is another player who the Bengals expect big things out of in 2014.
The Browns have studs Desmond Bryant and Phil Taylor anchoring a strong line. Ravens would be rated higher, but the injuries to Kapron Lewis-Moore and Brent Urban have already depleted this line. Haloti Ngata will be the unquestioned leader with rookie Timmy Jernigan. The Steelers have been weak on the defensive line the past few years. They need another strong year from Cameron Heyward and hopefully the Stephen Tuitt draft gamble pays off.
Linebackers
The Best: PIT The Rest: BAL, CLE, CIN
The linebackers on all four teams could be the best and, frankly, there is no other division with so many stud linebackers. The Steelers have done the most to upgrade their linebacking corps by jettisoning LaMarr Woodley and keeping Jason Worilds, who had seven sacks in the last eight games in 2013. The Steelers are led by Lawrence Timmons, who does everything asked of him. The Steelers also expect a big improvement from Jarvis Jones this year. Rookie Ryan Shazier has made an impressive highlight reel in the preseason as well.
The Ravens have Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil leading a very strong squad. Rookie C.J. Mosley may be even better than the Steelers’ Shazier. The Browns added Karlos Dansby from Arizona. Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo are also talented linebackers for the Browns. The Bengals have Vontaze Burfict and Ray Maualuga as their stud linebackers.
Cornerback
The Best: CIN The Best: PIT, BAL, CLE
The Bengals have a veteran corner unit with Terence Newman and Leon Hall. The main concern is how Hall will rebound from his achilles injury. The Bengals hedged that bet by drafting Darqueze Dennard, a physical corner that many predicted would be drafted by the Steelers, in the first round.
The Steelers are not without weakness in the corner position, but if Cortez Allen can step up and help Ike Taylor, the Steelers corners could surprise this year. The Ravens could be strong, but injuries to Ladarius Webb are a concern. They will rely heavily on Jimmy Smith to carry this unit. The Browns are led by stud Joe Haden, but Buster Skrine is a weakness on the right side.
Safety
The Best: PIT The Rest: CIN, CLE BAL
The Steelers are led by all-everything Troy Polamalu. Polamalu may have lost a step, but he makes up for it in his incredible play reads. The Steelers also significantly improved their free safety position by signing Mike Mitchell.
The Bengals are led by solid corners George Iloka and Reggie Nelson. The Browns are ecstatic over the play of Tashaun Gipson. The strong safety position is anchored by Donte Whitner. The Ravens have injury-prone Darian Stewart and Matt Elam, who was shaky in 2013.
Special Teams
The Best: BAL The Rest: PIT, CIN, CLE
The Ravens are led by Jacoby Jones, who has been a weapon for the team the past few years and in the Super Bowl. Jones’ returns have also helped the offense with field position and big returns for touchdowns. Justin Tucker is a consistent kicker and the Ravens should do well in the special teams department this year.
The Steelers have Antonio Brown and exciting rookie Dri Archer for kick returns. Shaun Suisham has adapted well to kicking in windy Heinz Field. The Bengals are led by newly-signed returner Brandon Tate and kicker Mike Nugent. The Browns use Travis Benjamin for both punt and kick returns. Billy Cundiff is their shaky kicker.
Coaching
The Best: BAL The Rest: PIT, CIN, CLE
This was a tough choice between John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin. Harbaugh has the slight edge in that he has had less down years than Tomlin. Since 2008, Harbaugh has won a Super Bowl, one AFC Championship, two AFC North titles, and five playoff births.
Since 2007, Tomlin has won a Super Bowl, two AFC Championships, three AFC North titles, and four playoff births. Marvin Lewis has the longest tenure, as he has been coaching the Bengals since 2003, but he has only had five playoff births and no AFC Championships. Mike Pettine is the exciting new hire for the Browns, but he has his work cut out for him.
Prediction
The Best: PIT The Rest: CIN, CLE, BAL
This was a tough call, as all four defenses are very good. The Steelers could really take a step forward with their new younger players combined with their steady veterans. In 2013, the Steelers defense was solid, but it missed out on getting enough turnovers. Jones and Shazier may help in that area, plus the Steelers expect more strong play from Worilds. However, a few injuries could derail this squad quickly.
The Bengals would have been the top pick, but the loss of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to the Minnesota Vikings will hurt. The Browns may be the strongest defense overall, but they have to overcome their weak offense. The Browns defense had the fourth-most plays in 2013 and it may be much of the same in 2014. The Ravens are always strong, but age and injuries have caught up to them this year already.
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