The AFC North

When the Browns weren't the Ravens

Make your bets: The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are making the playoffs.

Why? Granted, they play each other twice, but the real key are those four games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Basically, if the Ravens and Steelers show up, those are four easy wins. You might as well just credit both teams with those wins. At that point, they can earn a couple of tough wins, win a couple more on the road and finish off the other ding-dongs on their schedule.

After all that, you're looking at 11 or 12 wins. Like taking candy from a baby.

Pittsburgh Steelers -- 13-3
Should be as good if not better. Added Shaun McDonald as a third or fourth receiver. Limas Sweed rolls into his second year. Most importantly, the defense is in tact and Rashard Mendenhall is healthy. He'll be tough to stop with Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore in tow.

Baltimore Ravens -- 11-5
What's Derrick Mason getting at? Regardless, with Mason back, the Ravens are again competitors. The defense is there. Joe Flacco should be better, and we found out that the Ravens have a pretty sweet 3-headed running monster in Willis McGahee, LeRon McClain and Ray Rice (second-year guy, could bust out). Tough road sked could hurt: at Green Bay, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and New England.

Cleveland Browns -- 6-10
Two significant things happened to the Browns on their way to the 2009-10 season: They fired Romeo Crennel and hired Eric Mangini, who may not be as great as we think, but better than his predecessor. And they traded Kellen Winslow Jr., who I think was a gigantic headache for the Browns. I think they're prepared to stand behind Brady Quinn as their quarterback. Plus, I think they can take advantage of some weak opponents

Cincinnati Bengals -- 4-12
Several things to dislike. Carson Palmer's glass skeleton. Chad Ochocinco. T.J. Houshmadfljaosidjfon's departure. A ragtag, screw-up defense. A more than shakey offensive line. A head coach that's overstayed his welcome. Disaster awaits.


Predictions
AFC East