2012 AFC North Preview

AFC North

Reviews are in order of Final Standings for 2011

1. Ravens (12-4): - For this Ravens team, last season's exit from the AFC Championship Game had to be very painful and costly. A dropped TD and a missed FG from going to the Super Bowl and now many feel as if this is their final year of "their window" for a Championship. Defensive future HOF's Ray Lewis and Ed Reed return for another season, but you have to think that their end of the road is coming soon. They lost another key defensive piece in Terrell Suggs, who tore his Achilles during the off-season and had a beak shot at returning this season. However, Quarterback Joe Flacco is ready to take the lead of this Ravens team that's looking to prepare for life after Lewis/Reed. But before all of that happens, this team is looking to make the best of their last chance. So the question for 2012: Will this Ravens team be in New Orleans on Feb. 3rd playing against the NFC Champs? 
2. Steelers (12-4): - The last 8 months has to put a bad taste in the Steelers mouths. Losing to a Broncos team that that should of beaten and not being able to play again until now, very frustrating for this team. With a new offense and a maturing WR corp could be good thing for Big Ben and this Steelers offense, who'll play a game without WR Hines Ward for the first time this entire century. Going into this season, the question is: Can the Big Ben adjust to the new offense ran by new Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley? Can the Steelers stay healthy for the long haul this season?
3. Bengals (9-7): - For a Bengals team that was "suppose" to be in rebuild mode, well that went project went by fast......very fast by NFL standards. This team made the playoffs, when most had them not even winning more then 6 games. That could be very dangerous for the other teams in this division once this team gets some experience under their belt. Out went Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, in comes Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Now with the extra year of "rebuilding" out the way, this team could be a serious threat in a year or so. But until then the question going into 2012: Can this Bengals team have the same or better record then last year and can they return to the playoffs in 2012?
4. Browns (4-12): - Well the Browns are just.....well the Browns. There season was bad, but they may have some hope the future. Drafting Trent Richardson from Alabama and Brandon Weeden from Oklahoma St. could be the two pieces this franchise needs to hopefully turn around this organization. Can Richardson have a great rookie season and get his team some more wins?

2012 AFC North Champion: Baltimore Ravens

BAL: (12-4)

PIT: (11-5)

CIN: (10-6)

CLE: (3-13)