Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL: Each team’s biggest concern heading into 2018

By Peter Panacy

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Colin Jones #42 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in the 1st half during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Colin Jones #42 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in the 1st half during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens sacks Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens sacks Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens — An Aging Defense

Some may say quarterback Joe Flacco is the biggest concern for the Ravens this season. And while he’ll be pushed by rookie QB Lamar Jackson, Flacco should at least benefit from a revamped receiving corps in 2018. Simply put, it’s his last chance to find his former self.

But the biggest concern in Baltimore is an aging cast of defenders. Linebacker C.J. Moseley and safety Tony Jefferson are young pieces to build around moving forward. But relying on players like 35-year-old veteran Terrell Suggs will be a tall order in 2018.

Cincinnati Bengals — Quarterback

The Bengals have gone from a perennial playoff contender to something of an NFL joke in recent seasons. Despite boasting plenty of offensive and defensive talent, the team has hovered around “merely average at best” the past couple of seasons.

And a lot of that falls on quarterback Andy Dalton, who’ll be on the hot seat entering 2018.

Same goes with head coach Marvin Lewis, who’s surprisingly still around.

Cleveland Browns — Head Coach

Browns head coach Hue Jackson is on the hot seat after winning just one game his last two seasons at the helm in Cleveland.

OK, last year’s roster stunk and 2016’s wasn’t much better. But the Browns brought in a good deal of talent this offseason, including Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and former 49ers running back Carlos Hyde.

A solid, if questionable, 2018 NFL Draft class also helps to alleviate Jackson of any further excuses.

Pittsburgh Steelers — Inside Linebacker

The unfortunate loss of linebacker Ryan Shazier to a tragic back injury last season leaves a huge void in the middle of the Steelers defense.

Pittsburgh was never quite the same after Shazier went down, and that haunted the team all the way into the playoffs.

Unless the Steelers get a huge effort from fellow linebacker Vince Williams in 2018, this area could be just as problematic this season.