Can the Ravens milk one more year out of their aging defensive stars? How will all the new faces play in Pittsburgh? Was Cincinnati for real last year? When will the Browns finally turn the corner? Here's my AFC North preview:

It's Brandon Weeden's world from the get-go in Cleveland this year. Colt McCoy could be trade bait, so the 28-year old Oklahoma State quarterback gets the nod as, once again, a new era dawns in Cleveland. Alabama runningback Trent Richardson was the team's first pick this year, and they may finally have the dynamic rushing threat they've been looking for for nearly 12 years. Weeden doesn't have a lot of targets, but the team is hoping Greg Little will emerge as the #1 threat. Weeden has looked impressive this pre-season, and if the other two step up, the Browns might have a legit set of triplets developing. The Browns defense actually ranked 10th in the league last season, and if they can at least maintain last year's performance on that side of the ball, expect improvement. However, here's the first six games on the Browns schedule: Philadelphia, at Cincinnati, Buffalo, at Baltimore, at the Giants, and then Cincinnati at home again. That's a pretty rough run for a young team to start the season. We'll find out a lot about them early. Seven wins might be a stretch, but expect improvement.

Ben Roethlisberger has some deadly targets in Mike Wallace, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders and the reliable Heath Miller. The question for the offense is, will Isaac Redman be a decent option at runningback all season? Rashard Mendenhall won't be back immediately, and the Steelers hope Redman can do a more than adequate job until Mendenhall can at least split carries with him later on. A new offensive coordinator might make things interesting as the Steelers may be pass heavy in 2012. Defensively, they're not the unit they used to be. However, NEVER count out the Steeler D. If Lamar Woodley and James Harrison can stay on the field at the same time, expect the usual shutdown stuff from them. Pittsburgh did do one thing well this offseason: they drafted offensive line with their first two picks. Keeping Ben upright and healthy will be the key this season, as always.

If the Bengals make the play-offs this season, it'll be the first time in 30 years the team has made back-to-back play-off appearances. They definitely have the tools to battle both Baltimore and Pittsburgh for a division title......but....it's Cincinnati. We've come to expect that with every step forward, there will be two or three backwards. Andy Dalton needs to prove he can avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, and he's got one of the most exciting young receivers in the league with AJ Green to do it with. BenJarvis Green-Ellis comes over from New England and should take over the runningback duties from the departed Cedric Benson. Green-Ellis wasn't an every down back with the Pats, so if he can remain durable as the #1 guy, the Bengals offense could be strong. If he can't, there will be problems. Cincy's front seven on defense was solid last year, but they can be thrown on. Adding an aging Terrance Newman to the secondary isn't the answer. The Bengals will be an interesting team to watch this year, because if a few things break right, they might surprise.

All the talk this pre-season is that quarterback Joe Flacco has turned the corner, and may finally be ready to prove he's an elite quarterback. If that's true, look out. Having Ray Rice behind you to shoulder some of the load couldn't suck either. Rice has been one of the most productive runningbacks in the NFL the last few seasons. Torrey Smith became an inconsistent but legitmate deep threat last season, and that gives the Ravens something they haven't had in a long time, a solid passing game. On defense, it's still all about Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. If those two can get another year out of their tired bones, the Ravens will contend again. Too bad Terrell Suggs will probably miss most if not all of this year with a torn Achilles. That's going to be a big loss for the D. This team has made the play-offs five straight seasons, they're well coached, and they've got some serious veteran leadership. In the end, that will be the difference, especially if Flacco is as improved as the experts seem to think he is this season.

FINAL PREDICTION:

1. BALTIMORE

2. PITTSBURGH

3. CINCINNATI

4. CLEVELAND

TOMORROW: AFC SOUTH