AFC CENTRAL

Baltimore Ravens

Last season: 12-4 (Second in AFC Central).

Coach: Brian Billick (24-12-0 with Baltimore).

Key losses: C Jeff Mitchell (Carolina), RB Priest Holmes (Kansas City).

Key acquisitions: QB Elvis Grbac (Kansas City), T Leon Searcy (Jacksonville).

Offense: When Jamal Lewis went down with a season-ending knee injury, there was not another experienced running back on their roster. Veteran Terry Allen was brought in, but he can hardly be expected to move the sticks in the same manner as Lewis. Jason Brookins could emerge as well. The passing game has become a source of strength. Quarterback Elvis Grbac has come as advertised, big, smart and with a gun arm. Backup Randall Cunningham had great success with Billick in Minnesota. At receiver, Qadry Ismail has become dependable, Super Bowl hero Brandon Stokely looks to have a breakout season. Travis Taylor was turning heads as a rookie last season before being injured. Tight end is in great hands with Shannon Sharpe. Ex-Cowboy tackle Erik Williams was brought in to replace injured Leon Searcy and Jonathan Ogden has been battling ankle problems on the other side.

Defense: Returning 10 of 11 starters, the Raven defense is the most feared in the NFL--just ask them. Tackles Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams swallow opposing linemen. Depth is a concern at end, where Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett should combine for 20 sacks. Like it or not, linebacker Ray Lewis might just be the best pure football player in the league. He is flanked by speed-rusher Peter Boulware and run-stuffer Jamie Sharper. Duane Starks and Chris McAllister are only getting better at cornerback. Rod Woodson, at 36, still plays at a high level.

Special teams: Matt Stover bailed the Ravens out several times last season with clutch field goals and Kyle Richardson is adept at pinning teams behind the 20. Jermaine Lewis is a deadly kick returner.

The skinny: The Ravens are no longer in the position of underdog. The defense is good enough to carry the team to the postseason, provided the offense can find a way to sustain long drives.

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Last season: 7-9 (Fourth in AFC Central).

Coach: Tom Coughlin (60-44-0 with Jacksonville).

Key losses: T Leon Searcy (Baltimore), P Bryan Barker (Washington).

Key acquisitions: WR Sean Dawkins (Seattle).

Offense: When all the parts are intact, the Jaguar offense is unstoppable. Mark Brunell overcame some early-season jitters and put together another fine season despite some head-butting with Coughlin. When healthy, Fred Taylor is among the best running backs in the league. He ran for nearly 1,400 yards last season despite battling numerous injuries. Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell are coming off abdominal surgeries and are not yet 100%. They combined for 185 catches and 13 touchdowns last season. Dawkins looks to contribute as the third receiver. Tight end Kyle Brady gave Brunell a nice target over the middle; he had 64 receptions. Tackle Tony Boselli leads a banged-up line that is unspectacular at best with very little in the way of quality replacements.

Defense: First-round pick Marcus Stroud has shown the ability to attract double teams, freeing Tony Brackens and Gary Walker in the pass rush. Brackens needs to regain his 12-sack form of 1999. With the middle clogged, linebackers Hardy Nickerson and Kevin Hardy will be far more effective if given the chance to roam freely and make plays. While Nickerson is getting along in years, he is still a force in the middle. Corners Aaron Beasley and Fernando Bryant got lit up consistently and Donovin Darius didn’t scare anyone at strong safety.

Special teams: Kicker Mike Hollis is dependable. Punter David Leaverton was drafted in the fifth round but has yet to impress.

The skinny: Because of the salary cap, depth is in very short supply, and a postseason berth will be elusive should injuries continue to plague the Jaguars. Don’t expect Coughlin to be around at season’s end if the Jaguars fall short of a playoff appearance.

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Cincinnati Bengals

Last season: 4-12 (Fifth in AFC Central).

Coach: Dick LeBeau (4-9-0 with Cincinnati).

Key losses: CB Tom Carter (), CB Charles Fisher ().

Key acquisitions: John Kitna (Seattle), T Richmond Webb (Miami).

Offense: Jon Kitna won the quarterback job in a battle of attrition, as it seemed that neither Kitna nor Scott Mitchell nor Akili Smith actually wanted the job. It is likely that all three will see significant action this season, with very little success. The talented but enigmatic Corey Dillon took a big step towards becoming an elite player with 1,435 yards rushing in 2000. Blocking fullback Lorenzo Neal was brought in to pave the way for more yards this season. It’s too bad receivers Darnay Scott, Peter Warrick and rookie Chad Johnson don’t have better quarterbacks throwing to them. This unit has the potential for greatness with Scott and Johnson as deep threats and Warrick running slants. The Bengals will experiment with more three wide receiver sets to open up more running lanes for Dillon. The offensive line played a big part in the Bengals ranking second running the ball last season. The veteran unit led by tackles Willie Anderson and Richmond Webb features great depth and versatility.

Defense: The Bengals made every effort to upgrade the line in the offseason. Defensive tackle Tony Williams was brought in to pair with Oliver Gibson to stuff the run. First-round pick Justin Smith was to have started at one end but has yet to sign a contract. John Copeland and Vaughn Booker are the other ends. The influx of talent on the line should free up the strength of the defense, linebackers Brian Simmons, Takeo Spikes and Steve Foley. The secondary is mediocre, with only Artrell Hawkins showing any real promise at cornerback.

Special teams: Peter Warrick could be one of the most exciting kick returnrs in the game. Neil Rackers gets another chance after making only 12 of 21 field goal attempts.

The skinny: With a .318 winning percentage over the last 11 seasons, the Bengals can only get better. Seven wins would be an epic achievement.

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Cleveland Browns

Last season: 3-13 (Sixth in AFC Central).

Coach: Butch Davis (First season with Cleveland).

Key losses: QB Doug Pederson (Green Bay), FB Marc Edwards (New England).

Key acquisitions: T Ross Verba (Green Bay), TE Rickey Dudley (Oakland).

Offense: The jury is still out on whether Tim Couch will be a quality starter. But to be fair, Couch hasn’t exactly been blessed with many offensive weapons while running for his life the past two seasons. What Couch really needs is a bruising running game to keep opposing defenses honest. Third-round pick James Jackson could be the answer. He played for Davis at Miami last season, so familiarity with the offense shouldn’t be a problem. The Browns need wideouts Kevin Johnson and Dennis Northcutt to mature and play like veterans. The duo combined for 96 receptions last year, but no touchdowns. The attempt to bulk up the woeful offensive line has not gone as planned. Tackle Ross Verba and guard Tre’ Johnson already are banged up, tackle Tony Jones abruptly retired and guard Jim Pyne was cut loose.

Defense: In Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren the Browns have two of the finest young linemen in the league. Designated pass rusher Keith McKenzie and Orpheus Roye round out what might be the strongest facet of the team. Strong side linebacker Jamir Miller has always looked better on paper than he does on the field. Free-agent linebacker Dwayne Rudd has big-play ability. The late addition of safety Devin Bush will help as incumbents Percy Ellsworth are Marquis Smith are too soft. Corey Fuller and Daylon McCutcheon are talented young corners who are still mistake-prone.

Special teams: Chris Gardocki has the most punts in the NFL over the last three seasons. Kicker Phil Dawson has attempted the fewest field goals over the last two.

The skinny: The Brown offense hasn’t improved significantly and the defense simply isn’t strong enough to play 40 minutes a game. They could take another step back before moving forward.

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Last season: 9-7 (Third in AFC Central).

Coach: Bill Cowher (91-64-0 with Pittsburgh).

Key losses: LB Levon Kirkland (Seattle), C Dermontti Dawson (released).

Key acquisitions: C Jeff Hartings (Detroit), LB Mike Jones (St. Louis).

Offense: When will the Steelers finally admit that Kordell Stewart is not the answer? Stewart is a gifted athlete, but is prone to errors and doesn’t have the leadership abilities needed in a starter. XFL MVP Tommy Maddox and Tee Martin are waiting in the wings. Jerome Bettis looks to be the primary source of offense again, but will constant pounding he has received finally take effect? Backups Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala and Amos Zereoue must get more carries to keep Bettis fresh. The Steelers tried to bolster their receiving corps by drafting first-rounders Troy Edwards in 1999 and Plaxico Burress in 2000. The two combined for only 40 catches and no touchdowns last season. Holdovers Hines Ward and Bobby Shaw combined for 88 catches and eight touchdowns. Tackle Wayne Gandy and center Jeff Hartings lead the very capable and deep offensive line.

Defense: The line is huge and young, with rookie Casey Hampton looking as if he is ready to share time at nose tackle with Kendrick Clancy. Kimo von Oelhoffen and Aaron Smith are developing into steady pass rushers at end. While Kirkland’s leadership will be missed, the linebacking unit is as strong as ever. From the outside, Jason Gildon and Joey Porter had 24 sacks last season. Rookie Kendrell Bell is playing well enough to supplant starter Mike Jones on the right, and Earl Holmes takes over for Kirkland on the left side. Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott are solid cornerbacks. At safety, Lee Flowers can cover deep while Brent Alexander excels against the run.

Special teams: Kris Brown is an exceptionally accurate kicker, and Josh Miller pinned opposing offenses behind the 20-yard line 34 times last season.

The skinny: It looks as if it’s going to be another .500 season, but the running game and defense might be good enough to carry the team to the postseason.

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Tennesee Titans

Last season: 13-3 (First in AFC Central).

Coach: Jeff Fisher (61-46-0 with Houston/Tennessee).

Key losses: DT Kenny Holmes (N.Y. Giants), CB Denard Walker (Denver).

Key acquisitions: DE Kevin Carter (St. Louis), K Joe Nedney (Carolina).

Offense: Quarterback Steve McNair has been on the verge of putting it all together several times, only to succumb to injury. The Titans have great confidence in backup Neil O’Donnell should McNair go down again. Eddie George had 403 carries last season and will counted on to shoulder the load again. Tight end Frank Wycheck is the team’s most dependable target and wide receivers Kevin Dyson and Derrick Mason always seem long on promise and short on return. The three need to become more consistent to give McNair a sense of rhythm. George gets his ground behind the beefy left side manned by Pro Bowlers Brad Hopkins and Bruce Matthews.

Defense: If end Carter rekindles the fire in his game, opposing quarterbacks could find themselves in for some very eventful afternoons. Carter and Jevon Kearse could rack up more than 30 sacks this season. The Titans keep their interior line fresh by rotating run-stuffers Jason Fisk and John Thornton with pass rushers Joe Salave’a and Josh Evans. Randall Godfrey, Eddie Robinson, Greg Favors and Keith Bulluck don’t get a lot of press but opposing offensive coordinators are well aware of their presence. The Titans have a big hole opposite cornerback Samari Rolle, with Donald Mitchell and Michael Booker battling to start. Safeties Blaine Bishop and Perry Phenix are both intimidating hitters.

Special teams: Joe Nedney missed only two field goals in 28 attempts for Carolina last season. Punter Craig Hentrich is still among the league’s elite.

The skinny: It was the Titans, not the Ravens, who had the most stifling defense in the NFL last season, giving up only 238 yards a game. Another defensive performance like that coupled with an improved passing game and Tennessee will be in the Super Bowl come January.