Baltimore – Reed and react

A staunch defense has been the Ravens' calling card for most of their 10 seasons. One year after winning Super Bowl XXXV with the stingiest defense of the NFL's Live Ball Era, they drafted safety Ed Reed in 2002's first round (No. 24 overall). He has proven to be an exceptional playmaker.

 

Hidden Truth: Reed holds the record for interception-return yards in a single season. In 2004, he had a league-leading nine picks, and his returns covered 358 yards (for an average of 39.8). Included in that total is his 106-yarder against the Browns on Nov. 7, which stands alone as the longest interception return in NFL history.

 

Outlook for 2006: Reed missed six games last season because of an ankle injury and only recorded one INT. Now healthy and sporting a new contract, he is eager to reclaim his spot among the best safeties in the league.

 

Cincinnati – Air raid

Directing a high-powered offense, Carson Palmer helped the Bengals reach the playoffs and post a winning record for the first time in 15 years, only to get severely injured on his only postseason pass (a 66-yard completion). Now, the quarterback is testing his surgically repaired knee and trying to reestablish rapport with his top target, wideout Chad Johnson.  

 

Hidden Truth: For three consecutive years, Johnson has led the AFC in receiving yards. He established a new team record last season with 1,432 yards and also earned his third straight Pro Bowl appearance. Johnson has registered at least 90 catches and nine touchdowns every year since 2003.

 

Outlook for 2006: The health of Palmer, who hopes to be ready for the season opener, will be a huge factor, but Cincinnati should continue to be lethal through the air. As Johnson himself likes to ask: "How do you stop 85?"

 

Cleveland – Seeking stars

Since rejoining the league in 1999, it has been a rough ride for the Browns. They have averaged just five wins per season over that stretch and have enjoyed only one winning campaign (9-7 in 2002). Second-year coach Romeo Crennel has been actively trying to add standout players to a talent-starved roster.

 

Hidden Truth: The Browns have only had one Pro Bowler in the last seven seasons. Quick, can you name him? It has been a full four years since any Cleveland player was so honored. In the Pro Bowl following the 2001 season, Jamir Miller was a starting outside linebacker as the AFC won, 38-30. Unfortunately, he would not make it through another game. Miller ruptured his right Achilles' tendon in the preseason opener the following August and was eventually forced to retire.

 

Outlook for 2006: Serious injuries to marquee players (see: Kellen Winslow Jr. and Braylon Edwards) continue to haunt the Browns, who have already lost center LeCharles Bentley for the season due to a torn patellar tendon suffered on the first day of contact at training camp. Along with linebacker Willie McGinest and defensive tackle Ted Washington, Bentley was one of three former Pro Bowlers that Cleveland signed in the offseason.

 

Pittsburgh – Winning tradition

One of the truly remarkable aspects of the Steelers' postseason run, which culminated in a 21-10 Super Bowl XL victory, was that they were the sixth seed. They accomplished something that no wild-card team ever had by winning three playoff games on the road and then capturing the title. (It was a feat that only a historical look at the Cold, Hard Football Facts could have foretold.)

 

Hidden Truth: In the last 15 years, the Steelers have won their division a league-best eight times. They finished atop the old AFC Central in '92, '94, '95, '96, '97 and '01. After realignment, they captured the AFC North crown in '02 and '04. Considering seeding and home-field advantage, Pittsburgh's road to a world championship would have been much easier in any one of those seasons.