UTTQ 2011 NFL Predictions: AFC North

The 2011 season may have not begun, but our 2011 NFL Regular Season predictions have. Here's a brief summary of each AFC North team, in no particular order, starting with the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers have looked like their typical selves during the preseason. The question is can they translate that to the regular season? The Steelers may suffer from the Super Bowl hangover in an up and coming division. With a plethora of young, fast, and methodical receivers, ben Roethlisberger hopes to lead his team back to the promised land. Of course, this team has always been about defense, and features a defense that returns relatively intact from their Super Bowl run. Led by Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and a slew of other studs, look for this team to scare others in a division of high playoff hopes.

CINCINNATI BENGALS
Did I say "a division of high playoff hopes"? Hmm...my bad. Looks like the Bengals ruined that picture. Carson Palmer literally screwed this team (or, perhaps it was Mike Brown). Without him, and with new quarterback Andy Dalton of TCU, the team looks destined to struggle this season. Gone are top offensive and defensive playmakers (Chad Ochocinco and Johnathan Joseph), with a bunch of young, unproven talent in place (particularly on offense). Manny Lawson and Nate Clements come in from the Bay Area to help a struggling defense.

BALTIMORE RAVENS
The team that will challenge the Steelers the most should undoubtedly be this Ravens team. After all, the defense is still studly (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, and Terrell Suggs form the core of this unit), and the offense is up and coming with the development of Joe Flacco and runningback Ray Rice. Lee Evans provides a threat across from Anquan Boldin. Hell, even the kicker, Billy Cundiff, can be an consistent offensive threat.

CLEVELAND BROWNS
It was not too long ago that the 2007 Browns shocked the NFL world by going 10-6, only to miss the playoffs. And although that team was purely a fluke, this Browns team could be much better. Long gone is Derek Anderson, with Colt McCoy ready to take the helm of this team. Bruiser Peyton Hillis can be a real weapon on this team, but he needs some backfield buddies to provide depth (will Brandon Jackson heal in time, and will Montario Hardesty stay healthy?). The only thing will be to also groom a defense of up and coming playmakers like Joe Haden, and continue to use special teams extraordinaire Josh Cribbs effectively.


AFC NORTH TITLE: Pittsburgh Steelers

• The Steelers will be looking over their shoulders at the Ravens more this season, but it shouldn't be much of a problem. The Steelers have a creampuff schedule, and, with consistent play, should easily take this division.

WILD CARD TEAMS: Baltimore Ravens

• The Ravens will once again enter the playoffs right behind the Steelers, and could at least stick around for a while. The Browns are a work in progress, but they are showing signs of improvement. The Bengals have had their ups and downs through the years, but it's hard to ignore this current downward spiral.