1. CLEVELAND BROWNS:

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. ANDERSON MUST REPEAT 07: Derek Anderson now has his new contract and must prove that a) He deserved it and b) Last year wasn’t an aberration. At 6-6 he has the size and the arm to get the ball vertical to targets such as Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow as well as new addition Donte Stallworth who’ll start opposite Edwards. The interception numbers were a bit in 07 and he’ll have to cut down on his picks to truly become a top ten quarterback.

2. DEFENSIVE ADDITIONS MUST PAN OUT: The Browns spent plenty of money and picks to upgrade a their defensive line and these additions must give the Browns the front seven necessary to have a championship caliber front seven. New DC Mel Tucker is going to use a variety of 30 fronts and bring pressure from all over the yard. With that said, the talent needed to be upgraded.

3. COACHING: For the most part Crennel and his staff have done a decent job but this team still had lapses last season and it was those lapses that cost them a shot at the playoffs. Crennel now has the support of the ownership and they backed up their support with a new contract. Now its time for this staff to rise up and lead this team to the playoffs and beyond.

IN THE END: The Browns are loaded with talent and they are good enough to make noise in the AFC. So much of what happens will depend on what happens with the development of Anderson and a revamped defense. As it stands, this team should win eleven games and gain a home playoff game.

2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS:

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. REVAMPED OFFENSIVE LINE: For the first time in ten years, Alan Faneca will not be the face of the Pittsburgh Steeler offensive line. With three new starters potentially breaking in this season, the Steelers have to find a way to protect Big Ben. With OC Bruce Arians running a variety of spread sets and using multiple receivers, it is imperative that the issues upfront be resolved.

2. PARKER/MENDENHALL COMPETITION: With Willy Parker struggling to recover from a broken leg, the Steelers drafted Illinois’ Rashad Mendenhall to come in and at the very least split carries. Last season the Steelers rode parker all the way to the red-zone before giving the remaining carries to the recently cut Najeh Davenport. In 2008, Mendenhall will assume that role and depending on Parker’s health, maybe even a greater role.

3. SECONDARY MUST PLAY BETTER: As good as Dick Lebeau is as a defensive coordinator and as good as the Steeler front seven is, the secondary was equally bad in 07. Other than shoot their collective mouths off led by rookie FS Anthony Smith, the Steeler secondary did nothing to help the Steelers become the championship caliber defense they were supposed to be. If Pittsburgh wants to be considered an elite championship contender, their secondary is going to need to be a lot better.

IN THE END: Pittsburgh has enough pieces to compete in the AFC North and make the playoffs. However the expectations in the Steel City are greater than that and so this team will need to aim higher than just “getting in” Mike Tomlin did a nice job in his first season but now the Steelers must prove they can return to that Championship form they displayed in 2005-2006.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. IS CHAD HAPPY? Chad Johnson claims he’s happy and he’s coming to camp but the reality is if he becomes a distraction, this team will struggle. The production on the field is there but he must stay happy and he can’t start with his antics if this team is going to move forward and get to where they want to get.

2. DEFENSE MUST IMPROVE: The lack of a defense has hindered this organization and the addition of new DC Mike Zimmer should help. Zimmer will bring a more aggressive approach and he will try to use the pieces in place better than the previous regime. If the defense steps up and even ends up in the middle of the pack, this is a playoff team.

3. HEALTH IS KEY: Obviously Carson Palmer staying healthy is huge but the Stripes need to get Rudi Johnson healthy and they need to make sure their key pieces stay on the field. If they do, the Bengals have enough pieces offensively to be a playoff team.

IN THE END: Its time for the Bengals to step up and take that next step! There is too much talent for this team to continue to underachieve and at some point, Marvin Lewis has to be called to the carpet. You want to be believe 2008-09 is the season they take that next step but with a mediocre defense and a shaky running game, 8-8 is possible again.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. ADJUSTING TO JOHN HARBAUGH: New head coach John Harbaugh has never been a coordinator or head coach but up until this point the has proven to be the right hire. He brings a new philosophy and a sense urgency that was missing towards the tail end of the Brian Billick era.

2. SETTLE THE QB PROBLEM: Whether its Kyle Boller or Troy Smith or even rookie Joe Flacco, the Ravens need to go into their opener with their quarterback situation settled. We all know what Boller can do and obviously if he did enough coming into this season, he would be the entrenched starter. With that said, Smith will get a long enough look but don’t sleep on Flacco. I know he’s a rookie but realistically speaking, the Ravens aren’t a super bowl contender, so why not start him if he proves he can absorb the playbook and command the offense.

3. DEFENSE MUST RETURN TO FORM: I know injuries were a big reason why the Raven defense imploded down the stretch but they also quit, especially after the Patriot game. For the Ravens to be competitive this season, Ray Lewis and friends must reclaim the fire. I know Rex Ryan is a quality DC but you know what, if he’s that good, he better find a way to motivate this group. Once again, the defense will have to carry the offense in Baltimore until the quarterback situation is settled.

IN THE END: The Ravens aren’t in rebuilding mode but they are somewhere in between. Harbaugh will do a good job bringing this team together but there are too many question marks offensively for this team to overcome being anything better than a 6-10, 7-9 team. If Todd Heap stays healthy and either Mark Clayton or Derrick Mason emerge as a true number one, along with Willis MaGahee, they could