Continuing right along with our attempt to divine the intentions of the gridiron gods, we turn our sights inland for a division centered mostly around the great lakes. It's the AFC North, home of the 2005 Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, of the always dangerous (2000 champions) Baltimore Ravens, the loaded Cincinnati Bengals and the perennially re-building Cleveland Browns. Thus speaks the Gridiron Guru:

Baltimore Ravens
The multi-faceted Adalius Thomas is gone, but Len Pasquarelli from ESPN flatly states that this is still the deepest-in-quality defense in the league. Maybe y'all have enough chops to debate the words of ole Len, but I don't, so I'm gonna accept his word as scripture. Terrell Suggs is going to be the next unstoppable force of nature in a Ravens jersey. That much we know. The purple birds let their damaged and aging workhorse Jamal Lewis go, and traded for the young, very talented, still-underachieving, great-in-his-own-mind Willis McGahee from Buffalo. Will an aging Steve McNair have enough aerial targets to keep the lanes open for “Whatchu talkin' bout” Willis?

Chances to make the playoffs (my own estimate): 80%. Chances to win the Superbowl (current Vegas line): 14/1

'This former laughing stock (Bengals) have been turned around by coach Marvin Lewis, architect of Baltimore's 2000 championship defence'


Cincinnati Bengals
This former laughing stock have been turned around by coach Marvin Lewis, architect of Baltimore's 2000 championship defence. When he joined three years ago, the club had one scout working for them – part time. Things are much different at Paul Brown Stadium these days, and the offence is one of the most exciting in the league.

However, Lewis is showing signs of not being able to control the rampant criminal recidivism among that talented group of his, with an unfathomable 10 players last year involved with the law. Also, shocking for a defensive mind like Lewis, his defences have been consistently mediocre at best, and that is no way to win a ring. I smell bust for this edition of the orange-striped show.

Chances of making the playoffs (my estimate): 35%. Current Vegas line to win Superbowl: 16/1

Pittsburgh Steelers
A proud and storied franchise, with five titles to their name (one in recent memory, two years ago), are embarking on a new journey, with just their third head-coach over the last 40 years, the young Mike Tomlin, formerly defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers have lost a key play-maker on defence (Joey Porter) and still have question marks on offence, with Ben Rothelisberger still dealing with after-effects of gross stupidity (motorcycle riding with no helmet, bad concussion and myriad injuries; miracle he's still here at all). They still have good, dependable receivers and a fast running back- so fast he's known as Fast Willie Parker.

Chances to make the playoffs: 45%. Current Vegas line to win Superbowl: 20/1

Cleveland Browns
Since the club's current reincarnation, they have not managed anything more than an single, accidental play-off appearance a few years ago. Now they start the season at quarterback with Charlie Frye – who was a pleasant surprise last year but who no-one believes can be a legit starter at this level – while draft-day steal Brady Quinn waits out the Browns tough opening schedule before he takes over. If tackle Joe Thomas (third draft pick overall) proves to be the next great Left Tackle he's hyped as, the Browns aerial weapons could catch quite a few teams by surprise.

Chances of making playoffs: 10%, nodding to Fortuna and her jokes. Current Vegas line to win Superbowl: 100/1

Stay tuned for the next installment – the AFC South.