The AFC North is a funny division, which seriously lacks parity. It is home to the Sixburgh Steelers who are one of the most storied franchises in the league. They have set the standard for Super Bowl titles and AFC Championship Game wins, winning two NFL championship games over the past four years. It is also home to the Ravens, who returned football to Baltimore in 1996, earning some hardware just four years later. If nothing else, the Bengals and Browns have strong chins, but few answers to the beatings they have taken in recent memory. It has not always been doom and gloom, though. The Bengals appeared in two Super Bowls over two decades ago, two more than the Browns, but failed to win either.

Where they stood

The Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl, the Ravens helped the Steelers get there, and the combination of injuries and missed opportunities left the two teams in orange watching the playoffs at home.

Where they stand

I am not exactly going out on a limb when I write that the AFC North to put on a defensive clinic again in 2009. The Steelers are the team to beat and have a chance to make another run at a Super Bowl. The Ravens will probably experience some growing pains on offense, but the defense has classically been their offense, so that should not be too much of an issue. Look for some defense in Cincy this year. Seriously. And with a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bengals could end up with a winning record. Don’t expect anything special from the Browns this season. Eric Mangini will bring his doghouse to the Dawg Pound and another less than .500 record.

Team by Team Breakdown

Baltimore Ravens
Unless the Ravens make some moves late in free agency, look for the Ravens to rely on the run in ‘09. Luckily, with the development of LG Ben Grubbs and LT Jared Gaither, as well as RT Miuchael Oher, the Ravens have shored up their offensive line. Unfortunately, with Derrick Mason recently retiring, Ravens fans now have a bigger reason to worry about their offense. Mason accounted for just over a third of the Ravens’ total passing offense. If that is not worrisome enough, he was 53% of the passing offense to wide receivers. WRs Mark Clayton and Demitrius Williams will have to pick up the slack. The problem is that they average under 1,000 yards and 4 touchdowns per season combined, and if Clayton was going to become a consistent receiving threat, it likely would have happened by now. It will be interesting to see what happens with Le’Ron McClain. RBs Willis McGahee and Ray Rice should split carries, though the former UMiami standout’s fitness level is coming into camp will probably determine the reps. The Raven’s defense last year gave up just 15.2 points per game and their level of play should not fall off by much, if at all. They revitalized their secondary with the addition of CB Fabian Washington last year and Dominique Foxworth this offseason. The linebackers should be in good shape, despite the departure of ILB Bart Scott, with the aggressive play of the defensive line, who showed great depth after NT Kelly Gregg went down with a knee injury. Prediction: 9-11 wins

Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ offense was downright pitiful last season and seriously hampered by injuries to Carson Palmer and the WR formerly known as Chad Johnson. Just how bad? They were ranked last in points (12.8 pg), last in yards (245.4 pg), 30th in pass yards (150.4 pg), and 29th in rushing (95 ypg). The good news is that there is nowhere to go, but up. Palmer, who has completely fallen off the map, is now back at 100% and should put up the Pro Bowl numbers he recorded in the past. Remember that since 2005 he has thrown for at least 3800 yards and 26 touchdowns. WRs Chris Henry and Laveranues Coles will battle for playing time, but I see Henry coming out on top. Rookie RT Andre Smith was a formidable run-blocker at Alabama and should help Cedric Benson manage more than a Reggie-Bush-like 3.5 yards per carry. The Bengals defense was also plagued by injuries, but should be better with the return of OLB Keith Rivers (who will pair up with Dhani Jones and Rey Maualuga) and CB Jonathan Joseph. The deep interior defensive line play will continue to improve. DTs Domata Peko, Patrick Sims, and Tank Johnson will improve an anemic pass rush, freeing DEs Anwtwan Odom and Robert Gaithers. The Bengals may have a top 10 defense in ’09. Prediction: 8-10 wins.

Cleveland Browns
The Browns are a case of a team who did very little well in ‘08. Their offense was sorry and their defense was really nothing to write home about. This team went 1-8 in their last nine contests, losing the last six games in a row. I have never been a Brady Quinn fan, but he needs to be the starting signal caller this year, if for no other reason but to find out exactly what they have at the position. HB Jamal Lewis is on his last legs – he only had three rushes for over 18 yards last year. While he just eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark last year (by two yards), he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. HBs like fleet-footed Jerome Harrison and rookie James Davis need to steal touches. Kellen Winslow’s contribution will be greatly missed. TE Steve Heiden is a pretty good pass catcher underneath, he isn’t the big playmaker the Browns seriously need. The Browns’ WR are all big question marks. Braylon Edwards hands turned to stone, or butter, in 2008 and they have to hope players like Furrey, Robiskie, and Massaquoi can make an impact. On the defensive end, Corey Williams will continue to be non-factor in the 3-4. DE Kenyon Coleman and LB Eric Barton were brought in only because they know Mangini’s system and will be nothing more than stop-gaps. And without the front seven failing to generate anything that even resembles a pass rush or even stop the run, there will be too much pressure put on the secondary to stop anyone. Prediction: 1-3 wins

Pittsburgh Steelers
I just want to preface this section by saying that the Packers have won 12 World Championships. With that being said, there is no reason to believe that the Steelers’ disciplined defense, which was the best in the league, should see a drop off next year. The only notable departure is ILB Larry Foote, who will help the Lions, but will not be missed in PA. Foote’s replacement, Lawrence Timmons, is coming off a productive 2008 campaign and more than ready to step into the starting lineup. The Steelers’ defensive line will still wreak havoc in the trenches, taking up blockers, collapsing the pocket, and giving OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley to put quarterbacks on the turf. Once again, the offensive line has largely been ignored in the offseason, so expect Big Ben to continue to showcase his ability to avoid the sack on his own. Roethlisberger’s life will be easier if RBs Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall can stay healthy, protect the football, and literally carry the offense. Former Longhorn star Limas Sweed should easily lock up the third WR spot. Santonio Holmes, a poor man’s Greg Jennings, should have his breakout season (he came into his own in the playoffs, but had a somewhat disappointing regular season). The Steelers are nearing the end of their championship window and will make the most of their opportunities. Prediction: 11-13 wins and AFC North Winner

Related posts:

1. NFL Preview: NFC North Six-Pack
2. NFL Preview: AFC South
3. NFL Preview: NFC West (because it’s never too late)
4. NFL Preview: AFC West
5. NFL Preview: AFC East