the 4th star

Is it too early to be thinking about the National Football League? No way, Jose. The season is ready for take-off, and my tray table is in its secure and upright position. So, in the spirit of looking ahead to things that really don’t matter in a big picture sense, let’s take some time this week, away from the patio and laughing at those with green Bud Lights on their table, to consider each of the NFL divisions — what happened last year and what will (probably) shake down once the snaps are for real and the volume of the television analysis increases:

AFC NORTH

2008 regular season standings:

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)
Cleveland Browns (4-12)

There seems to be a real disparity between the top two clubs and the bottom two clubs. I think Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl. Let me check on that, though.

Outlook for 2009:

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Cleveland Browns (5-11)
Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)

Two things: One, the Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry is turning into one of my favourites. The level of intensity on defence for both sides is something I really enjoy watching. Would you look at that — I almost said something nice about the Steelers. NFL parity reaches a new market! Having said that, Cleveland and Cincinnati should be playing in the CFL. Eric Mangini will be able to coax a couple more wins out of the Browns but Marvin Lewis is dead man walking. The race to the unemployment line in the AFC is set: Josh McDaniels, Jack Del Rio, and Lewis. Who ya got?