As training camp has emerged creating a vast set of emotions of both hope for rookies and redundant routines for veterans, it is never to early to began the rampant speculations surrounding the issue of how the teams will look in the standings come season end. Through my knowledge of the sport and teams, as well as careful analysis of recent off-season acquisitions and losses, I have come up with a forecast of how I expect each team to finish in its respective division. Beginning with the AFC, this update will focus on the AFC West.

After notoriously being known as the "Bungles", the Cincinnati Bengals defied critics last year winning the division. With a potent offense in Carlson Palmer, Rudi Johnson, and Chad Johnson, the Bengals had one of the best all around offensive threats. Unfortunately, a chance of such a repetition may be hard to come by this season, especially with Palmer's injury. While there is a chance Palmer will come and play miraculously, there are other areas which heed concern regarding off field antics. Infamously becoming a team infested with criminals, the chance for cohesion and chemistry, which I strongly advocate, is not likely especially with the alleged report of Chad Johnson having a few quarrels with head coach Marvin Lewis. The defense is still lacking, and since most of these alleged criminals are playing on that side of the ball, victories may be hard to come by. I'm expecting a less than stellar season from Palmer's team, but I also would like to play a game regarding the team's win/loss record. Which gets more in number? Chris Henry arrests or Cincinnati victories?

Ah, the Pittsburgh Steelers encompassed the true feel good story last season: coming in as an underdog in the 6th seed position, having a quarterback make a miraculous play to stop a season ending run, and having a running back retire after winning the Lombardi Trophy in his birth town. Nothing could have been more exciting and pleasurable for Bill Cower's team during those few months. Coming into this season, the Steeler's have lost some key players such as Antwan Randle El and Jerome Bettis, not to mention the potential impact of Ben Roethlisberger's injury. However, the team is still very strong offensively and defensively feeding off the positive emotion from the Super Bowl. I do not expect a repeat of last season simply due to the incredible difficulty of such a task, but I do see another playoff season for Bill Cower and his team.

The Baltimore Ravens seemed to have had an off year last season like so many other potentially good teams. The team was overcome by injuries, less than stellar seasons stats wise, and an incompetent quarterback. This season I see an incredible turnaround for Brian Billick's team. The addition of Steve McNair was huge, and I suspect this move will be the mechanism which yields the Baltimore Ravens as the 2007 Super Bowl Champions. The Ravens have all the weapons in defense with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed who are both returning from injury, and Baltimore also has the artilleries in offense with Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Jamal Lewis (who will rebound this season), and now Steve McNair. If McNair does not get hurt for an extended period of time and the offensive line plays at its maximum potential, I believe the Baltimore Ravens are the favorites to with Super Bowl XLI.

Last and least we have the Cleveland Browns. From the teams off-season it seems like the front office wanted to add some extra mechanisms to at least be competitive in some of the games played in. The additions of Willie Mcginest, Jurevicius, Joe, and Kellen Winslow were decent, but with Charlie Frye as quarterback in an already tough division, I do not think the Browns will even earn a respectable grade. Granted the Browns are better than San Francisco, but only by a small margin. At least you have LeBron James Cleveland fans.

Final AFC North Season Standings (*demonstrates making the playoffs)
1.*Baltimore Ravens: 11-5
2. *Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 7-9
4. Cleveland Browns: 1-15