NFL Preview/Predictions: AFC North

The AFC North could very well be the most competitive division in the conference, if not the entire NFL. With the emergence of the Cincinnati Bengals as a playoff team the last two seasons, this division has become a three-horse race in what has traditionally been a battle between the Ravens and Steelers.

Baltimore is coming off a Super Bowl win, but the team was completely gutted by free agency and retirement in the offseason. The Ravens brought in some talented rookies, especially on the defensive side of the ball, to help balance those losses.

With the loss of stud tight end Dennis Pitta to injury, it will be interesting to see where Joe Flacco goes when he needs a big play; Ray Rice can't convert every 4th-and-29.

The Bengals are coming off back-to-back seasons of making the playoffs, but they were eliminated at Houston both years, mainly due to the failures of Andy Dalton and the offense. With the additions of Tyler Eifert and Gio Bernard through the draft, the onus is on Dalton to get the job done and take that next step.

Meanwhile, Cincy's defense has some young studs who are proven commodities, including Vontaze Burfict and Geno Atkins.

Pittsburgh is coming off a down season—something that isn't the norm for a franchise renowned for its consistency.

More press was given to the Ben Roethlisberger-Todd Haley feud than actual wins on the football field. However, the Steelers don't typically mire in mediocrity for long—Mike Wallace may have been an addition by subtraction, and Le'Veon Bell looks to be a force at the running back position. The defense isn't getting any younger, but it should still be good enough to keep them in every game.

Cleveland has dwelled in the cellar of the division since rejoining the NFL in 1999. The Browns have gone through so many quarterbacks during that time period, and if Brandon Weeden doesn't grasp control on the position this season, they could be looking at drafting another one in the first round next year.

They have a workhorse running back in Trent Richardson and a shutdown corner in Joe Haden. It will be interesting to see how the rest of this largely unproven roster performs this year for new coach Rob Chudzinski.

My 2013-2014 AFC North Season Predictions:

Bengals: 11-5 (Division Champs)
Ravens: 10-6 (Wild Card)
Steelers: 10-6 (Wild Card)
Browns: 6-10

What do you guys think?