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.

The Greatest Teams: 1988 Cincinnati Bengals

This was another tough choice. The 1981 and 1988 Cincinnati Bengals were both up for consideration here. Both featured notable coaches in Forrest Gregg and Sam Wyche. Both also featured franchise signal callers in Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason. Coincidentally, both teams also made it to the Super Bowl, losing to the dynasty that was the San Francisco 49ers. However, the 1988 Bengals not only featured many perennial all pros, but it was also one of the most unstoppable teams that undoubtedly would have, had it not been for several unfortunate circumstances, won Super Bowl XXIII.

The Bengals offense was led by quarterback Boomer Esiason, a fourth year Pro Bowl lefty out of Maryland. Esiason led the league in passer rating, supported by a ferocious running attack. A trio of backs in James Brooks, Ickey Woods, and Stanley Wilson led the league in rushing yards with nearly 2700 yards, and also combined for a league high 27 touchdowns. Receivers Eddie Brown, Tim McGee, and Rodney Holman combined for 18 touchdowns, with Brown recording his first 1,000 yard season. All Pro Hall of Fame left tackle Anthony Munoz anchored the offensive line unit.

On defense, nasty nose tackle Tim Krumrie (pictured) constantly demanded attention, while fellow lineman Jim Skow recorded 9.5 sacks. Beyond the play of the defensive line, the defense wasn't particularly stellar, although the secondary did manage to get 22 interceptions on the season.

Under Wyche, the Bengals went 12-4, going 6-0 before losing to the Patriots in Week 7. Cincinnati then went on to beat Seattle and Buffalo in the playoffs, setting up a rematch of Super Bowl XVI nearly 7 years ago. The Bengals secured a narrow lead, 16-13, with less than four minutes left in the game. However, 2 minutes later 49er quarterback Joe Montana completed a touchdown pass to John Taylor that permanently secured a 49er win. Some believe that two key incidents might have affected the Bengals' chances of winning the game. Before the game, runningback Stanley Wilson disappeared after being discovered before the game in a cocaine high. Also, during the game, nose tackle Tim Krumrie suffered a severe leg fracture, crippling the Bengals' defense and title game hopes. Alas, we still believe that the 1988 Bengals was the best team in Cincinnati football history.