AFC North Preview

BALTIMORE 11-5

Rice can do it all

The Ravens have everything in place to legitimately contend for a Super Bowl. Picking up two veteran, savvy receivers in Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh will help Joe Flacco and the passing game. The Ravens haven't had this type of talent in the receiving corps in quite some time. The defense still has Ray Lewis but will be missing Ed Reed for at least the first six games.

Even with the new receivers, the Ravens will try to pound the ball with Ray Rice, who has emerged as a premiere back in the league. His pass-catching ability rivals any starting running back and his bowling-ball stature and speed make him very difficult to deal with. Flacco must continue his progression up the ranks of NFL QBs by making good decisions and not turning the ball over.

Losing Ed Reed will certainly hurt the Ravens, but how much? You can't replace him but you can try to cover up the loss by increasing the pass rush. Lewis will have the defense playing with its hair on fire regardless but they will need to avoid getting burned over the top.

The Ravens' nose tackle, Haloti Ngata, is one of the best in the game. Absolutely massive, (6'4", 340 lbs) he has the quickness and foot speed to be as disruptive and dominating as anyone at the position.

The Ravens are in the driver's seat in the AFC North and, with a healthy Reed, should be disappointed with anything less than a trip to the conference championship game.

PITTSBURGH 10-6

Polamalu's return is critical for Pittsburgh

Facing challenges and situations they wish didn't exist, the Steelers have a lot to prove this year. Missing the playoffs last year turned out to be the tip of the iceberg. Another embarrassing, reprehensible off-field incident by Ben Roethlisbeger has him suspended for the first four games.  Dennis Dixon will be asked to play caretaker. If the Steelers can stay afloat in Big Ben's absence, they should have enough to make it back to the playoffs.

Big Ben will be driven and motivated to succeed after the general public has turned on him and insulted him every way possible (deservedly so.)  He is still a top-notch quarterback who must earn back the fans' and team's trust and admiration, if only on the field. Cutting Santonio Holmes will hurt, even though he too would miss the first four games. Other receivers must step up.

Troy Polamalu missing 11 games is the major reason for last year's defensive letdown. With him back the defense will improve naturally. They must get back to resembling the defense from two years ago.

The Steelers will have a chip on their shoulder and a desire to prove they're a contender. Getting back to a more balanced attack on offense will be wise and holding on to leads late will be a must.

CINCINNATI 6-10

TO: A questionable move

This team has never performed when dealing with lofty expectations. The pattern has been make the playoffs and get complacent. The Bengals caught teams off guard and played exceptional defense. They went undefeated in the division, a remarkable accomplishment. All that does for them this year, however, is put a bigger target on their back.

The re-birth of Cedric Benson last year was refreshing. He showed people who called him a bust he is capable of playing at a high level. Will his motivation be as strong this year? The offseason moves at wide receiver were puzzling. Signing Antonio Bryant with a bum knee for $8 million and then cutting him during training camp. Signing TO, who no one else wanted.

The defense will have to play as well or better than last year for any type of success. Cincinnati is playing a division-winner's schedule and won't be sneaking up on anyone this year.  I considered bumping them up to seven wins but stuck to my early August prediction.

CLEVELAND 4-12

Still has his work cut out

The Holmgren Era began last season and it resulted in finishing the year 4-0. They've finally moved away from Brady Quinn and brought in Jake Delhomme and drafted Colt McCoy. Delhomme is coming off a horrible 2009 season but his experience will be a nice addition to this young offense.

Eric Mangini may be on his last go-round as a head coach. He still hasn't proven himself as a leader and his departure could be sooner than later. Holmgren was very busy in the offseason with roster moves and it may be a matter of time before he wants to coach his team himself.

The Browns have some scattered talent and proved last year they're capable of putting together a run. Holmgren is moving them in the right direction but needs more time. Overall, they don't have the numbers of quality players yet and will be finishing 4th yet again.

Bottom Bengals

Ochocinco says the Bengals are going to win the Super Bowl. Ocho is just good at getting people worked up. The 2010 Bengals, with their new circus act T.O., won't be sniffing the Super Bowl this year. They won't even be sniffing the playoffs.

It's not just TO coming in causing a media circus. He and Ocho are now "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Batman and Robin." Maybe on the reality TV circuit. If they want to get attention with their shenanigans, fine. Yuck and laugh it up. Make outrageous claims like how not winning the Super Bowl will be a "shame."

It's more than just two media whores that will keep the Bengals from the playoffs this year. It's the team's history. It's the schedule. It's last year. It's the team. Don't buy what Ocho is selling.

If you look at the Bengals under Marvin Lewis, who is entering his 8th year, you'll notice a trend of mediocrity. Not that Lewis is entirely to blame but he hasn't come close to producing back-to-back teams worth a damn.

Under Lewis:
2003: 8-8
2004: 8-8
2005: 11-5, won division
2006: 8-8
2007: 7-9
2008: 4-11-1, man that tie is an eye sore.
2009: 10-6, won division

Based on that history, the Bengals will be, at best, 8-8. The 2005 team was even better than last year's team, yet the following year they underachieved. And they had a much more potent offense in '05.

Now you have to look at their schedule for this year. It's the fourth-toughest in the league, based on opponent's record from 2009. Here are some noteworthy games: Week 1: @ New England.  Week 10: @ IND. Week 12: @ NYJ. Week 13: vs. NO. Week 16: vs. San Diego. Plus the divisional schedule.
Last year they went 6-0 vs. the AFC North. Does anybody think that could miraculously happen again? There is no way in hell they sweep their division again. Pittsburgh and Baltimore will definitely have something for them this year. Cleveland might even be able to pull one out on them. I say 3-3 in division this year, maybe 2-4.

The Bengals have too many people gunning for them this year. They are playing a first-place schedule. Teams want revenge. Teams don't want them back in the playoffs, especially Pittsburgh. The Bengals got a little too full of themselves last year and this off-season. Now they have Ocho predicting them to the Super Bowl.

One more thing: Carson Palmer is overrated. He's not in the elite group and never has been.

Final prediction: 2010 Bengals: 6-10. Check their schedule. Tell me where the wins are.