Is Baltimore now the AFC favorite?

[Parcells4Life]

With the addition of Houshmanzadeh and Boldin, to go with the rocket arm Flacco and a bad-A defense, do you think the Ravens are now the team to beat in the AFC?

[urface59]

Well they have been my favorite for the AFC for a few months now at least.

[Romo 2 Austin]

Too injured/old on defense

[hornitosmonster]

I still like Indy over Baltimore.

[laythewood28]

Issues with their secondary will cost them.

[dbair1967]

With the addition of Houshmanzadeh and Boldin, to go with the rocket arm Flacco and a bad-A defense, do you think the Ravens are now the team to beat in the AFC?

in a word, no

Boldin wont stay healthy, and Hoozeyourmama only catches 8 yd passes

[CowboyMike]

Too injured/old on defense

This.

I happen to think their defense has been vastly overrated and living on reputation the past few years.

[urface59]

This.

I happen to think their defense has been vastly overrated and living on reputation the past few years.

I may be wrong but didn't they have the 4th best Defense in the league last year?

[Rampage]

I may be wrong but didn't they have the 4th best Defense in the league last year?
they were 3rd in terms of yards(normal defensive ranking) and 3rd in scoring defense.


http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&role=OPP&offensiveStatisticCategory=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=SCORING&season=2009&seasonType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=true&Submit=Go

[InmanRoshi]

Housh just adds another old and slow WR to a stable full of old and slow WRs. While Mark Clayton isn't a world beater by any means, I think his quickness in the slot better complemented Boldin/Mason/Heap. Housh is not unlike TO ... recognizable name who can put up good accumulative totals only if you forcefeed him a ton of targets ... not a good fit for a #3 WR. Housh was 12th in the NFL in targets last year, but only put up Top 30 production.

[UnoDallas]

you gotta go with

Indy
SD

maybe one of these team
Cinn
Pats
Pitts
NY Jets altho I do think the fall big time this year

[urface59]

you gotta go with

Indy
SD

maybe one of these team
Cinn
Pats
Pitts
NY Jets altho I do think the fall big time this year

I say either Indy, Cincy, or Balt will own the AFC. As I said though i'm highest on Baltimore.
Pitt crashes and burns, SD falls off big time but still wins div, NYJ I could see being god awful or AFC champs.

[bedlamvr]

I think you are right in the fact that Housh doesn't something they already had in Bolden etc . I am still not sold on Flacco and that D is starting to look a little flaky .. I would go with Indy or NE who own the AFC until someone else can prove they don't .

[Roadtrip635]

I'm going with a Ravens / Cowboys Superbowl, with the HOME team winning!

[Apluz]

With the addition of Houshmanzadeh and Boldin, to go with the rocket arm Flacco and a bad-A defense, do you think the Ravens are now the team to beat in the AFC?


Absolutely the Ravens are the team to beat in the AFC. The Colts and Jets will be battling for 2nd place in the AFC this season.

[casmith07]

The Ravens have too many issues to start in the secondary. But if they use Ray Rice correctly and protect Flacco, Boldin and even Houshmandzadeh will get open. They also have Derrick Mason and Donte' Stallworth.

I think Flacco is a bus driver of a QB, but he's been given the keys to a Cadillac bus. All he's got to do is stay in his lane.

[Smith22]

I think it comes down the their defense and QB. Picking up Wilson from the Seahawks helped them out A LOT. I believe they ranked last in their division last year in sacks (Suggs was lazy and not 100%). Ray Lewis is another year older. Also, Flacco will have A LOT more pressure on him to perform, and I imagine that they will open up the passing game this year (Maso,n Boldin, Rice, TJ, Heape) and see if Flacco can deliver.