While the Ravens surprised and the Browns disappointed a season ago, the Steelers and Bengals stuck to their well-worn routines in the AFC North Division.

That’s a good thing for Pittsburgh, which won the division and its sixth Super Bowl title, but not for Cincinnati, which won four games as Carson Palmer was injured and Chad Ochocinco might as well have taken the season off.
Ben Roethlisberger went through some off-season turmoil courtesy of a civil suit alleging sexual assault and Pittsburgh released veteran linebacker Larry Foote, but the Steelers are still on solid ground atop the division.
Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan left to take the Jets’ head-coaching job, but the personnel remains largely intact and quarterback Joe Flacco should improve on a solid rookie season.
As long as Palmer can stay upright and Ochocinco can stay focused, the Bengals should make a stride toward respectability. New Browns coach Eric Mangini isn’t saying whether Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson at quarterback will start, although Quinn is believed to be the choice.
Next-level players
Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: The second-year player out of Rutgers has emerged atop Baltimore’s depth chart, and considering the Ravens are completely committed to the run game (an NFL-high 37.0 carries per game in 2008), Rice might make a big leap. He’ll share some carries with Le’Ron McClain and Willis McGahee, but he’s a good receiver and will likely provide a safety valve for Joe Flacco.
Lawrence Timmons, LB, Steelers: The former first-round pick came on last season and showed enough promise that Pittsburgh let go of Larry Foote this summer to make room for Timmons as a starter in the middle. He showed plenty of ability with 65 tackles, five sacks and an interception while starting only twice last season, but he’s hobbled by an ankle injury.
Chris Henry, WR, Bengals: Talent has never been an issue with Henry, but he has spent a good portion of his early career running afoul of the law and in commissioner Roger Goodell’s doghouse. But the five-year veteran says he’s now focused, and he shined in the preseason with 14 catches for 224 yards and four touchdowns.
James Davis, RB, Browns: The sixth-round pick out of Clemson should see the field plenty as part of Eric Mangini’s run-heavy philosophy. At least one report heading into the final cutdown day speculated Cleveland would cut Jamal Lewis and go with Davis. Lewis is still around, but Davis is on the rise.
Elite player
James Harrison, LB, Steelers: The reigning Defensive Player of the Year set a Pittsburgh single-season record with 16 sacks last year and forced seven fumbles. He also cemented his legacy with one of the greatest Super Bowl plays ever, a 100-yard interception return for a TD.
Elite game
Ravens at Steelers, Dec. 27: Could this Week 16 game decide the division? Can Baltimore atone for losses to Pittsburgh by three and four points in the 2008 regular season and a 23-14 defeat in the AFC Championship Game?