Typing from my phone, so this will be short. First off, I said he's a good quarterback. Grossman is not a good quarterback. He's horrible. You know who else I consider a good, non elite quarterback? Matt Ryan. I'd place neither in my top five. Doesn't mean I don't think they're good quarterbacks.

As for the Steelers, why exactly would they be taking a step back? People bring up the players that retired, which is a terrible arguement. Go check their stats over the past few years. The only one that was somewhat relevant was Farrior. As much as I liked Farrior for his playcalling, we have younger more talented linebackers just waiting for a chance to play. Harrison and Woodley missed over half of the season, and they were still the best defense in the league. If anything, the d-line and linebacker core is better this year.

It's the secondary that's questionable. Also, as great as Polamalu is, they can manage without him. It's Ryan Clark that's irreplaceable. Him being out is the reason they got torched in the playoffs, and will be the reason it happens again in week one.

Final thoughts: The Bengals will be considered an inconsistent team until they prove they aren't. One good season doesn't change anything. I personally think they're definitely on the right route to success, but I'm not holding my breath on it. Hm, this was much more typing than I had planned..

I like Dalton. I think he's a good quarterback. Unless he ends up being the next Brady, he'll never be a top quarterback. He doesn't have the arm power to make the throws that the elite quarterbacks make. With that said, I think their offensive coordinator does a great job making him look as good as he possibly can.

If the Bengals were just about any other team in the league, I'd say they were on their way to another trip to the playoffs. But they're the Bengals. They're consistently inconsistent, and that says a lot about the players in the locker room. With that said, I actually like the Bengals roster on paper. I think they have the talent to fight in the division, and make a playoff push.

Hell, I think they have a better team than the Ravens who are the real aging team in the division. Seriously, saying the Steelers defense is aging every year is getting a little old. Especially when they place in the top five every season. The only real question for the Steelers ironically enough, is their cornerbacks inexperience at the nfl level.

I like how the Browns are always just written off, and given fourth place in the division though. If that offense is even mediocre, they'll be a competitive team in the division. No one ever seems to notice how they're always one of the best defensive teams every year. I still see them placing fourth because I don't see anything special in Weeden or their wide receivers, but they could just as easily place second or third. First will continue to be a tossup between Pittsburgh and Baltimore until Cleveland and Cincinnati become consistent teams on offense.

Also, voting Cincinnati Bengals for worst organization in sports for making fans pay to attend a pep rally for a 9-7 season. Stay classy, Cincinnati.

Edit for prediction list:

NFC East 
1. Philadelphia
2. Dallas 
3. NY Giants 
4. Washington

NFC North 
1. Green Bay 
2. Chicago* 
3. Detroit 
4. Minnesota 

NFC South 
1. Atlanta 
2. Tampa Bay* 
3. Carolina
4. New Orleans

NFC West 
1. San Francisco 
2. Arizona
3. Seattle
4. St. Louis 



AFC East 
1. New England 
2. Buffalo 
3. NY Jets 
4. Miami 

AFC North 
1. Pittsburgh 
2. Cincinnati* 
3. Baltimore 
4. Cleveland 

AFC South 
1. Tennessee 
2. Houston*
3. Indianapolis 
4. Jacksonville

AFC West 
1. Denver
2. Oakland 
3. Kansas City
4. San Diego


* - Denotes Wild Card team

I haven't looked at schedules much at all. I know the Giants schedule is brutal, and that's the only reason they're that far down. The rest of it is just off of what I know about the teams more than it is who they're playing. Would possibly flip a few around after checking out their schedules. NFC South, NFC East, AFC South, and AFC West are all divisions I think are tossups depending on strength of schedule.

Also just for additional fun,

Biggest surprise team: Tampa Bay

Most disappointing team: San Diego

Of course it does. I won't argue that. They can win big games, but they can just as easily lose easy ones. You never know what team is going to show up when they take the field. Actually.. that whole division is like that.