2013 Season Predictions: AFC North

The division sporting the reigning Super Bowl Champions has been consistently competitive throughout the years, and nothing figures to change that this year. The division has produced at least two playoff teams each season the last five years, including two Super Bowl champions during that span. The Super Bowl Champion Ravens will look to successfully transition on defense with several new starters while hoping to see more consistency from Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco in order to reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. The other 2012 playoff team from this division, the Cincinatti Bengals, hope to make the playoffs for a franchise record 3rd consecutive season, and maybe even win a game in January this time. The Pittsburgh Steelers attempted a reload during the offseason in order not to fall behind in the division, but the usual punching-bag in this division, the Cleveland Browns, seem ready to escape the cellar this year.

1. Cincinnatti Bengals : 11-5 (2012 Season : 10-6)

With some young offensive talent added to an absolutely dominant defense in Cincinnatti, it's hard not to see the Bengals rising up and making a splash in the AFC. With playmaking rookies in running back Giovanni Bernard and tight end Tyler Eifert joining third year All-Pro receiver AJ Green, the weapons at third year quarterback Andy Dalton's disposal went from being average to downright enviable. While the Red Rifle faces many questions about his viability as a franchise quarterback after extremely disappointing outings in the postseason, Dalton need only be an effective game manager for this team to be successful. The defense is full of talented playmakers, most notably All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins and free agent outside linebacker James Harrison, formerly of the rival Steelers, that will keep games close even when Dalton struggles, as they did several times last season. The true litmus test for this team should come in January, anything less than that should be seen as extremely disappointing and likely means a new starting quarterback will be wearing the stripes in 2014.

2. Baltimore Ravens : 10-6 (2012 Season : 10-6)

After an extremely interesting offseason for the defending Super Bowl champions, there's little to suggest wizard general manager Ozzie Newsome hasn't worked his magic once again to keep this roster playoff-caliber. The Ravens will field as many as six or seven new starters on defense this year, but already look like they will not miss a beat and this unit may actually be better than the one that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last year. The big questions for this team come on offense, where there are question marks at just about every position group. Quarterback Joe Flacco was spectacular in the playoffs, but he has yet to show the same spark he had in January and February in any other month of football. Losing him number one wide receiver Anquan Boldin to trade and starting tight end Dennis Pitta to injury won't help him either, as neither role has been filled in a notable way. Starting running back Ray Rice should still be the focal point of this offense with backup Bernard Pierce also seeing plenty of carries, but it'll be tough to pound the ball against the tough defenses in this division. Defense will retake its place as the identity of the Ravens in 2013, and it should be enough to keep them in contention this season.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers : 8-8 (2012 Season : 8-8)

The Steelers are attempting to get back in contention this season after disappointing play down the stretch cost them the playoffs in 2012. The defense continues to remain a top tier unit in the league under ageless defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau, even though the defense figures to be one of the oldest in the league. While defense will most likely not be a liability for the Steelers in 2013, they need to prove they can dip into the fountain of youth a little bit to force more turnovers than last year and stop giving up big plays in the passing game. If they cannot, it may be time for a defensive face-lift in Heinz Field. The offensive line looks to be the main position group holding the Steelers back this year, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is extremely invaluable to this offense yet has been under constant duress the past couple years and has not completed a full 16 game regular season since 2008. The line doesn't appear ready to keep Big Ben upright, and with rookie 2nd round pick Leveon Bell injured, the running game doesn't figure to slow down many opposing defenses.

4. Cleveland Browns : 7-9 (2012 Season : 5-11)

The Browns appear poise to make a little noise this season, at least more than they have made in a long time, but it likely won't be enough to move them out of the basement of the AFC North. Free agent addition Paul Kruger and rookie 6th overall pick Barkevious Mingo figure to form a scary pass-rushing duo, and the defense as a whole seems to be solid, even if it may rank at the bottom of this division. On the offensive side of the ball, new head coach Rod Chudzinsky and offensive coordinator Norv Turner seemed poised to spark a very dull offensive attack last year, putting the ball in the hands of 2nd year running back Trent Richardson more to pound the ball, then emphasizing 2nd year quarterback Brandon Weeden's downfield passing abilities. While that sounds like a good plan, Weeden hasn't showed enough to prove to anyone he can reliably lead an offense week in and week out, and in general the only skill position threat on this team outside of Trent has already been suspended for the first two games of the season. There's hope to be had in Cleveland, but the most questionable quarterback situation in the division keeps them from breaking out this year.