AFC North: A Preview of the 2012 NFL Season

In 2011, the AFC North sent three teams to the playoffs, with the Baltimore Ravens getting a first-round bye, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals taking both wild card spots. In the end, the Steelers were Tebowed in the first round, while the Bengals were decimated by the Houston Texans, and the Ravens fell just short of a Super Bowl berth.

As for the Cleveland Browns, well, they were the usual Cleveland Browns.

This season, believe that the Bengals will emerge out of the pack to win the division. With a young explosive offense, do they have enough weapons to battle the aging defenses of the Ravens and Steelers?

4. Cleveland Browns

2011 Record: 4-12

Projected 2012 Record: 5-11

I feel like Browns president Mike Holmgren and the rest of the front office are expecting way too much from a team that hasn't won more than five games since 2007.  The whole 'No More Excuses' mantra is definitely inspiring, but how good can this team honestly be with rookies starting at quarterback and running back?

Brandon Weeden is in a precarious situation as a rookie. After spending time playing baseball before college, Weeden entered the NFL at the age of 28. However, his age doesn't at all define the type of quarterback that he is. He is a big guy (6'4", 221 pounds) and is fully expected to replace the ineffective Colt McCoy as the starting quarterback.

After letting go of Peyton Hillis, the Browns will turn to rookie Trent Richardson at running back. Richardson scored more touchdowns last season at Alabama (24) than the Browns did as a team (20)—not that we're comparing college football to the NFL or anything.

Richardson has the build to be an every down back in the NFL and won't have much competition at all. Montario Hardesty, the listed back-up, has been plagued by injuries the past two seasons, and when he's on the field, he turns the ball over way too much.

It really shocked and disappointed me that the Browns did nothing to upgrade their passing game. Greg Little had a decent rookie season and will look to be Weeden's top target. Behind him, however, the Browns don't have much depth at at all. Mohamed Massaquoi is the No. 2 receiver behind Little and has had concussion issues the last two seasons.

Other than that, Josh Cribbs is the only other notable receiver, and while he has improved, he hasn't improved enough to be put back as a starter. Benjamin Watson had a down year due to injury problems last year and may end up being Weeden's security blanket this season if he can stay healthy.

The Browns only real consistent player offensively is tackle Joe Thomas. He's made the Pro Bowl every season since he was drafted in 2007 and looks to continue that trend this year. Center Alex Mack has done a good job staying healthy, as he hasn't missed a game since being drafted in 2009.

Jason Pinkston played very well as a rookie last season, and this Browns offensive line looks to lead the way in regards to the development of the Browns offense.

The Browns defensive line is on the rise, with Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor both having stellar rookie seasons. However, Taylor might miss most of the season after tearing his pectoral muscle while weight lifting. Frostee Rucker is their biggest free agent signing and should boost their line, while Ahtyba Rubin returns as the nose tackle.

D'Qwell Jackson is solid as the middle linebacker. With Chris Gocong out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. expect Kaluka Maiava (the nephew of WWE wrestler and movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), rookies James-Michael Johnson and Emmanuel Acho to battle for one of the outside linebacker spots, while Scott Fujita most likely will start at the other.

Getting T.J. Ward back from injury will be key to run support this season, and Usama Young will try to get his job back at free safety after losing it last season, although Sheldon Brown could move to safety this season. Joe Haden is expected to start, but must perform better this season. Buster Skrine and Dimitri Patterson round out the cornerbacks.

The Browns' youth, along with playing in the AFC North, will really hurt them this season. But for the most part, this team is rebuilding. That's just a situation that the front office will have to accept and prepare to build towards next season.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

2011 Record: 12-4

Projected 2012 Record: 8-8

Pittsburgh lost a lot more than they really gained this offseason, with James Farrior, Aaron Smith and Hines Ward. If the Steelers want to make it back to the playoffs, many of their key players will have to step up.

I don't care how much Ben Roethlisberger tries to downplay his "partially" torn rotator cuff. A torn rotator cuff is a torn rotator cuff, and considering the tear is in his throwing arm, he is almost inevitably going to miss time because of it, even if he tries to play through it.

Behind him are Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Batch is 5-2 as a starter since being signed by the Steelers in 2002 and will most likely step in should Roethlisberger misses any extended time.

With Rashard Mendenhall more than likely to start the season on the Physically Unable To Perform list, expect Isaac Redman to begin the season as the starter. Redman isn't as fast as Mendenhall, but is certainly more powerful of a runner.

Losing Ward won't really hurt the passing game too much since the Steelers are very talented regardless.

Mike Wallace is one of the best deep threats in the league but fell off towards the end of the season. His holdout surely will have a negative effect on the team.

Antonio Brown made up for it and really has emerged as the No. 2 threat at receiver.

Behind them are Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery, who will play as the third and fourth receivers, respectively. Heath MIller remains one of the best dual-threat tight ends in the league.

Drafting David DeCastro was a huge steal for the Steelers, and he should start immediately. Putting him next to Maurkice Pouncey gives the Steelers a strong interior line.

The question now is if Willie Colon can return healthy this season after playing just one game in the past two seasons.

Ziggy Hood finally got his chance to start after Aaron Smith got hurt, but he'll have to battle Cameron Heyward to keep the starting spot.

Brett Keisel remains set at the other defensive end position. Casey Hampton may end up on the PUP list to start the season, meaning rookie Alameda Ta'amu and Steve McLendon will battle to possibly start with Casey Hoke gone.

James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley make one of the best outside linebacker duos in the league, but injuries slowed both of them down last season. Larry Foote will replace the released James Farrior as the "buck" inside linebacker, while Lawrence Timmons returns as the "mack."

With William Gay and Bryant McFadden gone, Ike Taylor is the only proven cornerback on the team.

Keenan Lewis is expected to move up to the starting rotation after playing the nickel spot last season. Troy Polamalu fell off somewhat last season, but at least he stayed injury free for the first time in a while.

Ryan Clark's absence in the playoff game against Denver due to complications with his sickle cell was really felt, especially on the last play of the game. Ryan Mundy just was not as effective, although he is still a solid fill-in player.

With long-time leaders gone, their best receiver holding out and their quarterback injured, I just don't see a playoff run in Pittsburgh this season. They'll be competitive, but at the end of the day, it's hard to imagine a team with so many issues making the playoffs.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

2011 Record: 9-7

Projected 2012 Record: 9-7

The Bengals just barely made the playoffs in a season which was viewed as a rebuilding year. This season, the bar will be raised high, with their aim of winning the AFC North once again.

Andy Dalton became the first rookie quarterback to start all 16 games and lead his team to the playoffs after not being selected in the first round. He had as good a rookie season as you could possibly have and expects to be even better this season.

Cedric Benson is gone, meaning Bernard Scott and newly acquired BenJarvus Green-Ellis will battle for the starting spot. Green-Ellis is a power back who has not fumbled since high school, but he doesn't have a whole lot of speed.

A.J. Green quickly emerged as one of the top receivers in the league last season.

Losing Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson will hurt the passing game, but this opens up the spot for the No. 2 receiver.

Brandon Tate, Jordan Shipley and rookie Mohamed Sanu are expected to battle for the position. Expect Jermaine Gresham to remain a big part of the passing game after a solid rookie season.

The Bengals have a pretty solid offensive line. Tackles Andre Smith and Andrew Whitworth gave up a combined four sacks last season. Rookie Kevin Zeitler will most likely start at right guard.

Carlos Dunlap should start this season, but has been plagued by injuries his first two seasons. Domata Peko and Geno Atkins will start in the middle and are as solid as they come.

Michael Johnson is listed as the other starter, but he has new competition in Derrick Harvey, a total disappointment of a first round pick, and Jamaal Anderson, who has been up and down.

Trading Keith Rivers isn't a huge issue after Thomas Howard lead the team in tackles. Manny Lawson will start at the other outside linebacker position. and looks to be a better pass rusher.

Rey Maualuga struggled last season after moving back to his natural position in the middle but should turn things around this season.

Leon Hall is expected to be ready to start the season after injuring his Achilles tendon last year.

Nate Clements is listed as the other starter, but has competition in Adam "Pacman" Jones, newly acquired Terence Newman and rookie Dre Kirkpatrick. Jones started in relief of Hall last season and held his own.

Taylor Mays, who is very suspect in coverage, will start at strong safety, with Reggie Nelson manning the other safety position.

All in all, the Bengals are definitely built to win now, but battling Pittsburgh and Baltimore will make it tough for them to make the playoffs.

1. Baltimore Ravens

2011 Record: 12-4

Projected 2012 Record:  12-4

The Ravens were a dropped touchdown and a shanked field goal away from going to their second ever Super Bowl. They certainly have the tools to at the very lead put themselves in position to get back to the AFC championship.

Joe Flacco believes that he is the best quarterback in the NFL. I'm sure that quote is blown out of proportion and that he is just very confident in himself. He certainly at the very least is the best quarterback in franchise history and had another solid season last year.

Ray Rice finally got his contract situation sorted out, and now he can concentrate on having another huge season. With Ricky Williams gone, Rice will pretty much be on his own, although speedy rookie Bernard Pierce should get some of the carries.

Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith are a formidable wide receiver duo and should both have big seasons once again.

The battle for the third receiver spot figures to be between former Texan Jacoby Jones and rookie Tommy Streeter. Streeter is tall, and still a pretty fast receiver, so look for him to beat out Jones for the slot position. Tight end Dennis Pitta has great hands but is not an explosive runner at all.

Losing Ben Grubbs is going to hurt this offensive line, but look for Jah Reid to fit right into the left guard position. Marshal Yanda had a Pro Bowl season last year at the other guard position and looks to do more of the same. Michael Oher had a solid season after a disappointing 2010 season.

Haloti Ngata remains one of the best defensive lineman in the league, and is really quick for someone weighting 330 pounds. Terrence Cody is a force in the middle of the line.

Ray Lewis still hasn't missed a step, entering his 17th season in the league. Having lost weight, he should be even quicker this season despite his age.

Losing Terrell Suggs is going to hurt this group, but rookie Courtney Upshaw should fill in well for him. Expect Sergio Kindle and Paul Kruger to battle for the other outside linebacker position, while Jameel McClain rounds out the starting group.

Lardarius Webb had eight interceptions last season and really broke out of his shell.

Cary Williams plays the other corner position and is just as good a tackler as he is in coverage, at which he's solid.

Jimmy Smith should return to his position at nickel, which he did pretty well at while healthy.

Ed Reed is starting to slow down a bit, but still is able to hold his own. Bernard Pierce is emerging as one of the most fearsome strong safeties in the game, both against the run and the pass.

It's hard to count Baltimore out of the Super Bowl picture with all the talent they have on both sides of the ball. They are the early favorites to win the AFC North and possibly even the AFC Championship. Time is running out for Lewis to win his second ring, and for Reed his first, so it may be now or never for the Ravens.