NFL '13 Preview: AFC North

By Joe Pantorno

For the longest time, the AFC North was the perfect example of the haves and the have not's. The haves were always the Ravens and the Steelers. The have not's, the Bengals and Browns. But over the past two seasons, there have been minor tremors that have hinted at a shift in power.

But a Super Bowl for the Ravens but that thought to bed in February, but we're in for plenty of surprises this year. This division is no where near the height of its power it had once been at, but this still will be one of the most fun divisions to watch.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

That's right, the Bengals will win the division for the first time since 2009 and they might be here to stay for a while. 

Andy Dalton is going to turn a lot of heads this season, but that's easy when you have A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu. The pick up of Jermaine Gresham will not only provide another target, but help rookie Tyler Eifert find his way in the league. 

They have second best defensive lineman in the league in Geno Atkins and their linebacking core might be one of the best in the league in James Harrison, Ray Mauluga and Vontaze Burfict. The Bengals will go 11-5 this year and I guess you can say this is my bold prediction. 

X-Factor: The dual running game of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard

This might just be the best running tandem in the entire league. Green-Ellis is coming off a career-high 1,094 yard season and Gio Bernard comes into this rookie season with tons of promise. This kid is scary fast and can cut on a dime. I'm not sure how those ankles just don't explode every time he changes direction. Such power and such a threat coming out of the backfield not only as a runner, but as a receiving option off the screen. Two different styles of running that will compliment each other perfectly in Cincinnati. 

2. Baltimore Ravens

No repeat in the cards for the Ravens this year. I'm not saying they're going to be an under-performing football team, but once you put that Super Bowl champions tag on you, every team that's on the schedule is going to get up and give you their best and then some. 

The losses that the Ravens experienced this off-season will be too great even though the acquisitions of Chris Canty and Elvis Dumervil have helped. Their defense will be solid, but not near the same sort of intimidating stonewall that it used to be. 

When it comes to the offense, I don't think I'll ever be sold on Joe Flacco, but this will be his first true test. He's playing with a defense that will not get him wins if his offense only puts up 13 points per game. Lucky he has Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce to establish a healthy running game. Losing Anquan Boldin hurts and losing Dennis Pitta for the year hurts even more. The Ravens will manage to go 10-6 and gran a Wild Card berth, but they're out early. 

X-Factor: Jacoby Jones

We all saw what this guy could do in the Super Bowl and the Ravens will need that kind of production a lot this season. 

He's a solid number-two receiver that can not only be a deep threat, but acts well in the slot. Add in some special teams magic and this guy can win you  a couple ball games this year. 

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

For the second straight year, Pittsburgh will finish third in the division. They'll go 8-8 again and here in New York, I'll see an even larger decline of Steelers fans (not you Ronnie, you're the most loyal guy I know).

Out of the quarterbacks drafted in the class of 2004, Ben Roethlisberger has taken the most punishment and for me, I see him as an old, hobbled vet on his last legs. He has a decent cast around him, though the loss of Mike Wallace will be felt. Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders will have to do and I feel they'll be just fine.

The running game has some question marks. Mike Tomlin just named Isaac Redman the starter yesterday but I feel like Le'Veon Bell is going to get some serious burn this season once he is allowed to play starting week 2. 

X-Factor: Brett Keisel

Coming into his 12th season, Brett Keisel is the elder statesmen on a defensive line that has a lot of question marks. With Steve McLendon and Ziggy Hood, Keisel will have to not only lead the line in sacks, but he's going to have to have the responsibility of opening up gaps for the linebacking corps. 

Last season he had 4.5 sacks, if he has six or more, the Steelers will have a top-seven defense this year. 

4. Cleveland Browns

And then there was Cleveland, right in the same place they have been for what seems like 25 years. Brandon Weeden goes into his second year at the ripe old age of 29 coming off a 14 TD, 17 INT season. Those numbers are going have to change big time or else the Browns might just choose another QB in next year's draft (I'm being a bit dramatic, but it could happen). 

There's Trent Richardson...and that's just about it when it comes to the offense. Josh Gordon has the potential to become a top receiver.

The signing of Paul Kruger provides the defense with a name, but he can't fix the entire defense's problem. They'll still be pretty porous and the Browns will go 6-10 this season.

X-Factor: Trent Richardson

 If there's any hope to have a successful offense, Trent Richardson will have to be an animal this year. I'm talking like, 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns beastly. Like Popeye just ate his spinach beastly. 

He has Popeye's forearms, so that's something.

He has the strength, he has the speed, he has the ability, he's just going to need some help from the offensive line and to stay healthy.