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By Joe Platania

NORTH DIVISION

CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns fielded one of the league's worst defenses and still posted a 10-6 record, barely missing the playoffs. Cleveland's receiving corps of Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth and tight end Kellen Winslow is the division's best. The offensive line, led by second-year left tackle Joe Thomas, jelled beautifully.

The Browns shored up the defense by trading for end Corey Williams (Green Bay) and tackle Shaun Rogers (Detroit). If there's any Achilles heel, it's the secondary, which is adopting a more aggressive scheme to make up for its talent shortcomings.

Cleveland closed strong last year, winning 10 of its last 15 games; in fact, four of those five losses were by six or fewer points.

PREDICTION: 10-6

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The offensive line was reshuffled, and the defensive line is old, but the Steelers have better skill position players than the Ravens, and that's why they’re likely to finish second.

Left tackle Marvel Smith is good when not battling a bad back, but he'll have new co-workers up front in ex-Carolina center Justin Hartwig and guard Chris Kemoeatu. Nose guard Casey Hampton came to camp out of shape, but ends Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith know how to rush the passer, and safety Troy Polamalu should be healthy.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wideouts Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward, and running back Willie Parker are all back -- and watch ex-Minnesota Vikings back Mewelde Moore off the bench.

PREDICTION: 8-8

BALTIMORE RAVENS

This team is definitely in transition -- too old in some spots, too young in others and too uncertain in a few more.

Wideouts Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams were all hurt at one time or another this summer, and six defensive starters also saw their progress thwarted. The three-man quarterback battle between Troy Smith, Kyle Boller and Joe Flacco just adds to the unpredictability.

Additions at cornerback and special teams have helped the team’s depth, but the Ravens can't rely on field position every week. They have to be able to sustain drives and stop them on a more consistent basis. Improving on last year's league-worst minus-17 turnover ratio is a must.

PREDICTION: 6-10

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Last year's 27th-ranked defense lost two of its only serviceable players in defensive end Justin Smith and linebacker Landon Johnson to free agency. First-round draft choice Keith Rivers will have to start in the middle immediately.

Offensively, wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have expressed their dissatisfaction with the organization, Chris Henry was suspended then brought back, and running back Rudi Johnson is battling weight and hamstring problems.

Quarterback Carson Palmer was only sacked 17 times last year. A good offensive line keyed by tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson deserves credit for that, but it doesn't get enough of a run-blocking push.

PREDICTION: 5-11

EAST DIVISION

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Depth is the only question for the Patriots, possessors of the league's easiest schedule in 2008.

Quarterback Tom Brady is nursing a foot injury this summer, but he will still have Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to, not to mention the underrated Kelley Washington and Jabar Gaffney. Lawrence Maroney leads an unheralded ground game that was 13th in the league.

The defense said goodbye to cornerback Asante Samuel and loaded up with veterans Fernando Bryant and Jason Webster, not to mention future Hall of Fame safety John Lynch.

First-round draft pick Jerod Mayo will freshen up the linebackers, and the defensive line with Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour and Ty Warren is among the league's best.

PREDICTION: 14-2

NEW YORK JETS

The Jets were earmarked for a third-place finish until the acquisition of a certain quarterback who used to play in Green Bay. But observers have also noted that the offensive line looks solid with tackles D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody, guards Alan Faneca and Brandon Moore and center Nick Mangold.

The defensive interior has also been upgraded with the addition of ex-Maryland nose guard Kris Jenkins. Top draft pick Vernon Gholston gives speed and athleticism to the linebacker corps, and cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Kerry Rhodes are among the two best in the league at their positions.

Leon Washington is one of the game's most explosive return men as well.

PREDICTION: 7-9

BUFFALO BILLS

Why is there optimism in Buffalo for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999? Because a defense that was one of the league's easiest to run on last year added Marcus Stroud, Spencer Johnson and ex-New York Giants linebacker Kawika Mitchell to its ranks. Not only that, middle linebacker Paul Posluszny is healthy again, and top draft pick Leodis McKelvin can cover and run back kicks and punts.

Offensively, a line that has ex-Maryland star Melvin Fowler at center could be solid were it not for left tackle Jason Peters' holdout. But the offense should be more multidimensional with new coordinator Turk Schonert, running back Marshawn Lynch and veteran fullback Darian Barnes.

PREDICTION: 7-9

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Every football fan knows how good football operations director Bill Parcells is at turning moribund franchises around, but there have been other changes as well.

Tony Sparano took over as head coach for Cam Cameron, Paul Pasqualoni is the new defensive coordinator, and NFL veteran Dan Henning now leads the offense.

That means a more smash-mouth offense and a switch back to the 3-4 defense (the team's fourth switch in as many years).

For Miami's sake, the coverage units have to improve as well or else field position and an overall lack of talent will seal their doom again.

PREDICTION: 5-11

SOUTH DIVISION

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

This is the team that could provide one of the best challenges to New England for AFC supremacy.

Dirk Koetter is one of the most underrated offensive coordinators in the league, and it's mind-boggling to think what he could do with two backs like Fred Taylor and the versatile Maurice Jones-Drew. Receivers Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson bring experience and speed to the table but have been inconsistent. Matt Jones and Marcedes Lewis give this team scary depth at tight end.

Corners Brian Williams and Rashean Mathis form a solid tandem, and linebacker Mike Peterson is tough in the middle. John Henderson and Rob Meier look to be the run-stuffers.

PREDICTION: 12-4

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Marvin Harrison's age at 36, offensive line depth and nagging offseason injuries to future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and safety Bob Sanders, the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, have some Colts fans worried.

They shouldn't be. Manning, Harrison, Reggie Wayne, running back Joseph Addai and the return of Dominic Rhodes should be more than enough to make it a successful season in Indianapolis.

Not only that, one of the best young linebacking corps in the league with Gary Brackett, Tyjuan Hagler and Freddie Keiaho, two great defensive ends in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis and a secondary that features Sanders and good depth will make plenty of plays.

PREDICTION: 11-5 (wild card berth)

HOUSTON TEXANS

This team provides proof on how tough this division is, finishing in last place with an 8-8 record while everyone else made the playoffs.

A 4-3 defense that features former top draft pick Mario Williams (10 sacks in the last seven games) and first-rounder Amobi Okoye could wreak havoc, as could middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, a durable, nasty player.

Wideout Andre Johnson and running back Ahman Green are solid, but the real impact the Texans could make is on special teams with Andre Davis (three kickoff return touchdowns last year), kicker Kris Brown (25-for-29 field goals) and punter Matt Turk, one of the best directional kickers around.

PREDICTION: 8-8

TENNESSEE TITANS

How this team made the playoffs while getting only nine touchdown passes from its offense is beyond the reach of most observers.

Offense is where this team needs work, and coordinator Mike Heimerdinger is the man to fix it around electric quarterback Vince Young. In the offseason, Young developed chemistry with new acquisition Alge Crumpler, one of the league's best tight ends. Former Chicago Bear Justin Gage and the reacquired Justin McCareins are other viable targets.

Under former Ravens assistant Jim Schwartz, the defensive line got all but four of the team's 40 sacks, a remarkable statistic. Ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse have glittering resumes, and tackle Albert Haynesworth is one of the best.

PREDICTION: 6-10

WEST DIVISION

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

A weak division and loads of talent could grease the skids for this team to be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl.

Even though the Chargers were 20th in total offense last year and 14th in defense, this is a team that can do the impossible -- work hard and work smart. It didn't hurt that the Chargers also posted a league-best +24 turnover ratio last year.

Quarterback Philip Rivers, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates, nose guard Jamal Williams, linebacker and ex-Maryland star Shawne Merriman, cornerback Antonio Cromartie, return mighty-mite Darren Sproles, booming punter Mike Scifres ... the list of talented players goes on and on.

PREDICTION: 13-3

DENVER BRONCOS

It's hard to believe this is the same franchise that was 13-3 a mere two seasons ago.

The team is getting old, with very few youngsters on the horizon ready to assume the mantle of contention. Cornerback Champ Bailey's presence wasn't enough to stop Denver from allowing a mind-boggling 25.6 points per game in 2007, but additions like his brother, linebacker Boss Bailey, as well as defensive tackle Dwayne Robertson and linebacker/special teamer Niko Koutouvides should help.

But there's no denying that the losses of wideout Javon Walker, safety John Lynch, linebacker Ian Gold and kicker Jason Elam will hurt. Fast-developing quarterback Jay Cutler and a weak division will give Denver a playoff berth by default.

PREDICTION: 8-8 (wild card berth)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

One of the oldest teams in the league lost nine straight games to finish 2007, so a lot of youth was invited to town.

It will be third-year quarterback Brodie Croyle's last chance to lead them. He will have stud running back Larry Johnson, tight end Tony Gonzalez and top wideout Dwayne Bowe as reliable options, but there's little else in the cupboard. Ex-Ravens receiver Devard Darling is fighting for a job opposite Bowe.

Defensive end Tamba Hali has shown promise, and he'll be playing next to top draft pick Glenn Dorsey. Donnie Edwards leads the linebackers, but the special teams units are currently a mess.

PREDICTION: 5-11

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Big-money deals given to obscure defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, swaggering cornerback DeAngelo Hall and baggage-laden wideout Javon Walker are not likely to produce much bang for the buck. That said, Hall will pair up with Nnamdi Asomugha to form a good tandem.

Lane Kiffin, the league's youngest head coach, actually had the temerity to try and fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but was rebuffed. That and interest in college level jobs prompted Davis to ask Kiffin to resign, which he didn't.

On special teams, kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler have strong legs, but return man Chris Carr bolted for Tennessee in free agency.

PREDICTION: 3-13

Issue 3.35: August 28, 2008