Once again the AFC North boasts the defending Super Bowl champion.
But instead of the Pittsburgh Steelers this time, it is the Baltimore Ravens who are the proud owners of the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Like always, whoever wins the AFC North better prepare to pay a physical price because these four teams truly hate each other.
BIGGEST IMPACT ADDITION
Baltimore: Elvis Dumervil, LB
You think the Broncos would like to go back in time and throw that bloody fax machine out the window? Paired with Terrell Suggs on the other side, Dumervil gives the Ravens a dynamic attack when it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback.
Cincinnati: James Harrison, LB
Harrison didn’t come to Cincinnati to make any friends — he is being paid to kick some serious ass and teach the Bengals what it takes to win in the post-season. His nasty reputation is well earned and will fit right into an already talented Bengals defence.
Cleveland: Paul Kruger, LB
After a solid regular season Kruger elevated his game to another level in the Ravens’ run to the Super Bowl. The Browns might not win a lot of games but at least with Kruger they will have a solid pass-rush to keep opposing teams honest.
Pittsburgh: Markus Wheaton, WR
In typical Steelers’ fashion they shrewdly addressed a number of their off-season departures through the draft. Wheaton, a third-round pick out of Oregon State, is looking to fill the void left after Mike Wallace signed in Miami
BIGGEST IMPACT LOSS
Baltimore: Anquan Boldin, WR
Next to Joe Flacco, Boldin was Baltimore’s most important player in the playoffs last year. Ironically it was the contract the Ravens gave Flacco that forced them to part with Boldin so they could fit under the salary cap.
Cincinnati: Manny Lawson, LB
The Bengals didn’t lose any true impact player in the off-season. Yes, veteran defenders like Manny Lawson and Chris Crocker are gone but the bulk of the Bengals team that made the playoffs for the second straight year is back in Cincinnati.
Cleveland: Ben Watson, TE
Hey, don’t laugh. The Browns don’t have much of a passing game and Watson caught 49 passes for 501 yards last year. That was one of their leading receivers in terms of yardage and now they hope that the untested Jordan Cameron can take his place in the offence.
Pittsburgh: Mike Wallace, WR
The loss of Wallace takes away a major deep threat from Big Ben and the Steelers offence. In his final two years with Pittsburgh, Wallace caught 27 passes that went 20 yards or longer and 87 for first downs. Receivers like that are not easy to replace.
WHO NEEDS TO STEP UP?
Baltimore: Ed Dickson, TE
With the season-ending injury to Dennis Pitta, the Ravens will be counting on Dickson to pick up the slack. Of course, Dickson injured his hamstring in training camp but there is a chance he could be ready for Week 1.
Cincinnati: Andy Dalton, QB
Everything is in place for the Bengals to make the playoffs for the third year in a row. Now it is up to Dalton to make the offence work, especially considering the Bengals face the Packers and the Patriots in the first five weeks of the season.
Cleveland: Brandon Weeden, QB
The Browns have a new regime and Weeden has to prove he is worth keeping around. Weeden turns 30 in October. Not that 30 is old but Weeden is only entering his second year in the NFL so if he’s going to establish himself as a legitimate starting quarterback, he has to do it quickly.
Pittsburgh: The entire Steelers offensive line:
The only hope the Steelers have of being competitive this year is keeping Ben Roethlisberger healthy. That means this young offensive line will have to grow up in a hurry. Opposing teams will be coming hard at Ben this year; so it is up to the line to find a way keep him upright.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Baltimore: Torrey Smith, WR
With Boldin in San Francisco, the time is right for Smith to become the Ravens’ go-to receiver. After averaging 17.4 yards per catch in the regular season, he stepped up with over 21 yards per catch in the post-season and gave the Broncos secondary nightmares in the improbable comeback win in Denver.
Cincinnati: Geno Atkins, DT
Now in his fourth year in the league, Atkins is the best kept secret in the NFL. The 300-pound interior defensive lineman had 12.5 sacks and teams around the league have become well aware of what Atkins is capable of.
Cleveland: Trent Richardson, RB
The Browns are painfully thin at receiver so that means if they want to win games, Richardson is going to have to be the star of the offence. Richardson carried the ball 267 times last year; expect him to have a far heavier workload in 2013.
Pittsburgh: Antonio Brown, WR
No more Wallace means Brown is now the Steelers’ top receiver. While that comes with added pressure and responsibility, it also comes with more opportunities to make plays and put up some big numbers.
KEY ROOKIE
Baltimore: Matt Elam, S
Ed Reed is gone and the Ravens will take their time grooming Elam as he learns what it takes to be a reliable safety in the NFL. Baltimore needed an infusion of young talent on defence and Elam is a good start.
Cincinnati: Tyler Eifert, TE
If the Patriots have proved anything, it’s that you can never have enough tight ends. So the addition of Eifert gives Dalton another weapon to work with and gives offensive co-ordinator Jay Gruden another option to work in his game plan.
Cleveland: Leon McFadden, CB
After Joe Haden the Browns don’t have a lot of talent at cornerback. Even if McFadden starts the season as their “nickel” back, the Browns will take it.
Pittsburgh: Jarvis Jones, LB
The Steelers wanted to get younger and wasted little time drafting the highly-touted linebacker out of Georgia. Jones looks like he will be a perfect fit for Dick LeBeau’s defence.
AFC NORTH PREDICTIONS
Not to take anything away from the defending Super Bowl champions, but after making the playoffs the last two seasons the Bengals are ready to win the division. It won’t be easy; it never is in the AFC North. In fact the winner of the division may not until Week 17 when the Bengals host the Ravens.
1. Bengals 11-5
2. Ravens 10-6
3. Steelers 8-8
4. Browns 6-10
[polldaddy poll=7339612]
