Khaled Elsayed. Neil Hornsby. Ben Stockwell. Sam Monson.
Individually, they are but men, but as a group the Pro Football Focus analysts and game graders are practically the Mount Rushmore of NFL observers. Or at least the Mount Blockmore of NFL observers.
In a series of Q and As for each division, the fearsome foursome answers a quartet of important questions for the NFL's eight subsets. What are these divisions good at doing? Who's going to overachieve, or underwhelm? Who's going to be the breakout player? And, of course, who's going to win?
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Who's your breakout player for 2010?
Khaled Elsayed: He may have been around a while, but until he landed in Cleveland nobody really seemed to appreciate Matt Roth. His debut season playing as an outside linebacker for Miami was largely overshadowed by the sack numbers of Joey Porter despite Roth generating more pressure per play. When he moved to Cleveland, he picked up where he left off with 22 total pressures in just 164 pass rushes, so just what can he do with a season rushing the passer and not playing second fiddle to anyone? Can see a 10+ sack season for the well-rounded outside linebacker.
Neil Hornsby: Not that he's got a chance of actually making the Pro Bowl — because he's not the sort of player to get the hype — but I'd look no further than Marshall Yanda, the Ravens' RG. He was superb in 2008 before getting injured and came back strong last year. He had a few minor problems in pass protection early but then sorted these out as the season got beyond halfway. He's a guy who makes few mistakes and always seems to be in control of what's going on around him.
Ben Stockwell: I'll go with Steelers halfback Rashard Mendenhall. Starting quarterback suspended, No. 1 wide receiver traded, the pressure is on Mendenhall to step up this year. He showed ability last year as a foil to the passing game, now he needs to do it leading the way.
Sam Monson: The Browns liked what they saw last season from TE Evan Moore and he looks to be a firm favorite target in Cleveland now. Look for him to put up some decent numbers.
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The over-under lines for season win totals in the division are: Baltimore, 10, Pittsburgh, 8.5, Cincinnati, 8, Cleveland, 5.5. On which team would you put your theoretical $100?
Neil: Ravens fans quake in fear as I go over 10 wins for Baltimore. Being at Pittsburgh in Week 4 with Roethlisberger still out helps to no end.
Khaled: I'll take the under on the Steelers because they look distinctly like a .500 team, especially missing Ben Roethlisberger for the first four games of the season. I mean it's hard enough they've traded away star receiver Santonio Holmes (10th overall wideout for 2009) and lost Willie Colon (top-ranked right tackle last season), but to lose their star offensive player (and our fifth-ranked QB) for any period of time is a setback that I don't see them recovering from.
Ben: Cleveland, under. Does Montario Hardesty's late preseason injury show that this franchise continues to be cursed? Further struggles for the Browns in 2010, as Jake Delhomme isn't the answer.
Sam: Bengals, over. Everybody has Baltimore as the team to beat in the division but I'm not sure I see what they've done to overtake Cincinnati, who remain the top team for me and will clear the 8-win bar for sure.
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What do you see as the positional strength of the division?
Neil: It's the linebackers who stand out for me. Whether it be superstars like Ray Lewis, Lamar Woodley or James Harrison; underrated vets like Jarret Johnson, David Bowens or Matt Roth; or new guys, ready to take their place, like Lawrence Timmons, Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga.
Khaled: Just checking our rankings and four of our top 10 left tackles came from the AFC North. It's an interesting situation with Michael Oher moving to the left side (where he struggled last year), but if he develops and can bring his form from the right side over to the left side, then you have five left tackles to fit into four places — a division over flowing with blindside protectors.
Sam: Linebackers. The Browns let the division down somewhat, but the other three squads have good linebacking units, with Pittsburgh's ranking among the league's best.
Ben: Linebackers. The Steelers' five starting-caliber players alone make this a phenomenal divisional grouping.
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Who is going to make the playoffs from the division and do they have a shot to win it all?
Khaled: Real hard to look past the Ravens in this division. Some concerns about the pass defense, but they've boosted their receiving options, Flacco looks poised and that running game works a treat. If they can find some pass rush I could see them winning it all, but a divisional playoff spot should be doable.
Neil: The Ravens will win and do have a chance to win it all.
Sam: Cincinnati. Baltimore and Pitt will be in the running for a wild-card berth but both fall short. The Bengals will peter out of the playoff race early.
Ben: Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. With a steady start and momentum from Roethlisberger's return, the Steelers should ride that train to the playoffs. The Bengals have a wealth of talent, but can they maintain the locker room chemistry?
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