Ryan's NFL Preview: AFC North

Back in the days of yore, this was consistently, easily the worst division in football. It appears that we may be headed that way once again.

Baltimore Ravens: Could this potentially be a mistake on my part? Absolutely. They don't really have a quarterback (although doesn't Joe Flacco sound like the kind of name of a guy who will be in the first round of the playoffs every year, but never really make a run at anything? Sort of like Bernie Kosar, really.) but unlike the rest of the division, they have a reliable defense and a passable running game. Clearly, this isn't a team that's going to set the world on fire, but I think the two games against last place teams will help the Ravens get over the hump compared to the other team that isn't quite as bad this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger is overrated, lets make that very clear. He may have been talented at one point, but he's not quite there anymore, probably due to the massive head injury sustained a couple years ago. I also worry about their running game. I think teams have figured out Willie Parker and will eventually break him. Rashard Mendenhall seems to be fumble prone. The defense is all right with a defensive coordinator as coach, and they are the most talented team in the division all around, but a very difficult schedule will keep them out of the playoffs.
Cleveland Browns: Let's review: Quarterback - concussed. Backup quarterback - wildly overrated, even as a back up. Running back: old. Receivers - inconsistent. Offensive line - porous. Defense - porouser. Tell me again why people are on their bandwagon? Is it simply because they are better than the Bengals?
Cincinnati Bengals: Both the top receivers have lingering injuries. One of the receivers and the starting running back have attitude problems, and the Bengals are actively shopping the running back, Rudi Johnson. Then there is the whole problem that half the team is facing some sort of indictment. I don't care how good Carson Palmer is, there is no way he can compete surrounded by this crap.