AFC North: 2010 Is the Year of the Raven in the NFL's Best Division

There is no better division in football than the AFC North. Even the team most consider the bottom feeder of the division, the Cleveland Browns, could make a serious run at winning a few other divisions.

Baltimore made the playoffs for the third time in four years in 2009. Many pundits were surprised, given the fact they did not know if quarterback Joe Flacco would continue developing and not suffer a sophomore slump, or if rookie Michael Oher would solidify their offensive line.

Not only was Flacco excellent—he is already on the verge of becoming the Ravens all-time leader in passing yards—but Oher played so well that he deserved to win the Rookie of the Year honors.

Factor in a superior defense led by future Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and possibly Haloti Ngata as well, and Baltimore always seems to be within reach of victory because of this unit. Reed is injured now and his availability in 2010 is a mystery, but it is not prudent to count him out just yet.

The Pittsburgh Steelers won it all in 2008 and many of those champions return. Even with the suspension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the team is still capable of winning another Super Bowl.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a squad mixed with veterans, youngsters, and castoffs most other teams would not employ. They put it all together last year to win their second division crown since 1991 and their ninth playoff appearance since their 1968 inception.

Cleveland has made some nice improvements as well after hiring Mike Holmgren to run the franchise. They will not be as easy a team to beat as they were in 2009.

Here is how the AFC North could go in 2010.

1. Baltimore Ravens

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata against the San Diego Chargers on October 1, 2006 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won 16 - 13. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Pros : Big, strong, effective offensive line. Very good running backs. Experienced and productive receivers. Quickly developing star at quarterback. Very experienced defense led by future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. 

Cons : Secondary issues in depth and quality. Wide receiver depth until Donte Stallworth returns midseason. 

Players To Watch : Anquan Boldin, Ray Rice, Ed Reed, Todd Heap, Defensive front seven, Monstrous offensive tackle duo of Michael Oher and Jared Gaither, Joe Flacco.

Key Games : Week 1 @ New York Jets, Week 2 @ Cincinnati, Week 4 @ Pittsburgh, Week 6 @ New England, Week 3 Pittsburgh, Week 14 @ Houston, Week 15 New Orleans, Week 17 Cincinnati 

Predicted Finish : 11 - 5

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Bernard Scott #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paul Brown Stadium on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Pros : Good wide receiver depth and rising star tight end. Excellent starting cornerbacks. Above average offensive line. Underrated defensive line. 

Cons : Mediocre safeties. Defensive depth in back seven. Few players experienced in winning. 

Players To Watch : Jermaine Gresham, Cedric Benson, Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph, Carson Palmer, Wide receiver corp, Bernard Scott 

Key Games : Week 1 @ New England, Week 2 Baltimore, Week 9 Pittsburgh, Week 10 @ Indianapolis, Week 12 @ New York Jets, Week 13 New Orleans, Week 14 @ Pittsburgh, Week 16 San Diego Chargers, Week 17 @ Baltimore 

Predicted Finish : 11 - 5

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 14: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Detroit Lions on August 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Steelers won 23-7. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Pros : Experienced defense led by Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau.Good experienced depth at wide receiver. Improved offensive line. Solid special teams. Excellent depth at quarterback. 

Cons : The loss of star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger 4 weeks. Defensive line depth. Running back questions. 

Players To Watch : Quarterback situation, Mike Wallace, Bryant McFadden, Lawrence Timmons, Flozell Adams, Rashard Mendenhall 

Key Games : Week 2 @ Tennessee, Week 4 Baltimore, Week 8 @ New Orleans, Week 9 @ Cincinnati, Week 10 New England, Week 13 @ Baltimore, Week 14 Cincinnati, Week 15 New York Jets 

Predicted Finish : 10 - 6

4. Cleveland Browns

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 20: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns returns his second kickoff of the day for a touchdown to set an NFL record of 8 in a season during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 20, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium

Pros : Rebuilding on fly with proven vets mixed in. Improved offensive line, linebackers, quarterbacks, and tight end. Versatility in rushing attack.Good cornerback depth. Excellent special teams. 

Cons : Questions at wide receiver persist. Safeties have mediocre depth behind unknown starters. Overall offensive line depth 

Players To Watch : Jake Delhomme, Ben Watson, Joshua Cribbs, Jerome Harrison/ James Davis/ Montario Hardesty, T.J. Ward 

Key Games : Week 3 @ Baltimore, Week 4  Cincinnati, Week 6 @ Pittsburgh, Week 7 @ New Orleans, Week 9 New England, Week 10 New York Jets, Week 16 Baltimore, Week 17 Pittsburgh 

Predicted Finish : 4- 12