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NFL Buy Or Sell: Investing In Each AFC Team's Playoff Hopes

Paul Augustin, Jr.

Columnist Written on June 18, 2009

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Chris Hoke #76, Aaron Smith #91 Travis Kirschke #90, Casey Hampton #98 and Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers won the game by a score of 27-23. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Six teams from each conference make the playoffs each year, and about half of them miss out the following year.

Last season, only five playoff participants, and only one from the NFC, were also in the playoffs in 2007.

I'm taking a look around the NFL and gauging each team's playoff hopes.

Today, I'm judging the AFC.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

2008 result: 11-5, lost AFC championship game

Offensive ranks: 11th in points, 18th in yards

Defensive ranks: Third in points, second in yards

Biggest offseason gain:Offensive line help. The Ravens lost C Jason Brown to free agency, but replaced him with Matt Birk. The Ravens also selected LT Michael Oher in the draft.

Biggest offseason loss: Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan never had a defense ranked lower than sixth in his ten years at Baltimore.

Buyer beware:More will be expected of Joe Flacco in year two, and Baltimore virtually added no help at wide receiver for Flacco.

Buy or Sell: BUY

Cincinnati Bengals

2008 result: 4-11-1, missed playoffs

Offensive ranks: Last in points, last in yards

Defensive ranks: 19th in points, 12th in yards

Biggest offseason gain: The health of QB Carson Palmer. When healthy, Palmer is a top five NFL quarterback.

Biggest offseason loss: Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Buyer beware: Even with the return of Carson Palmer, the Bengals still need a running game. Right now, they don't have one.

Buy or Sell: SELL

Cleveland Browns

2008 result: 4-12, missed playoffs

Offensive ranks: 30th in points, 31st in yards

Defensive ranks: 17th in points, 26th in yards

Biggest offseason gain: Rookie center Alex Mack helps to give the Browns an above average offensive line.

Biggest offseason loss: Safety Sean Jones was second on the team with four interceptions.

Buyer beware: Coach Eric Mangini is likely going to play a quarterback with three career starts (Brady Quinn), along with a receiver that had a case of the stone hands last year (Braylon Edwards), and two rookie receivers. Yikes.

Buy or Sell: SELL

Pittsburgh Steelers

2008 result:12-4, won division, won Super Bowl XLIII

Offensive ranks: 20th in points, 22nd in yards

Defensive ranks: First in points, first in yards

Biggest offseason gain: Rookie defensive tackle Evander Hood

Biggest offseason loss: Quarterback Byron Leftwich gave the Steelers a solid No. 2 quarterback.

Buyer beware: This was a very average offensive team in the regular season.

Buy or Sell: BUY

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