NFL

AFC North Preview: And the best mediocre team is …

The countdown to kickoff is underway. As the NFL season approaches, we’ll be breaking down each division and making wins projections for every team. Today: the AFC North.

1. Baltimore Ravens

COACH: John Harbaugh
2014 PROJECTION: 9-7
2013 RECORD: 8-8
OVER/UNDER WINS: 8 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 40-1

First and goal: WR Steve Smith is a shorter version of Anquan Boldin, much to the delight of Joe Flacco and WR Torrey Smith. A healthy TE Dennis Pitta paired with TE Owen Daniels — if healthy — would give Flacco some intriguing options. Guards Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele are perfect for offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme. The defensive line — Haloti Ngata and Pernell McPhee sandwiched between DEs Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil — should be scary. Returner Jacoby Jones is a weapon — ask Mike Tomlin. PK Justin Tucker is a stud.

Fourth and long: Ray Rice serves a two-game suspension, so Bernard Pierce starts. There isn’t much depth behind CBs Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb, who hardly have Ironmen reputations.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

COACH: Mike Tomlin
2014 PROJECTION: 9-7
2013 RECORD: 8-8
OVER/UNDER WINS: 8 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 33-1

First and goal: Big Ben loves the no-huddle because it keeps him from taking a beating for a change. WR Antonio Brown is the Go-To Guy. TE Heath Miller has telepathy with Big Ben. The offensive line is healthy and jelling. The linebacking is a veritable Steel Curtain with Lawrence Timmons, Jason Worilds (knee concern) and speedy top draft pick Ryan Shazier.

Fourth and long: 2013 No. 1 pick OLB Jarvis Jones and free agent FS Mike Mitchell have underwhelmed. CB Ike Taylor is 34. The run defense remains suspect. Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount better make sure the running game doesn’t go to pot. Snoop Dogg wants offensive coordinator Todd Haley fired. Speedy WR Markus Wheaton must step up and replace Emmanuel Sanders.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

COACH: Marvin Lewis
2014 PROJECTION: 8-8
2013 RECORD: 11-5
OVER/UNDER WINS: 9
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 40-1

First and goal: Now that Andy Dalton has cashed in, it’s time he wins a damn playoff game. WR A.J. Green and RB Giovani Bernard are game-breakers for new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, and WR Marvin Jones (foot) could be back by Oct. 5. TEs Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert are tall targets. The offensive line is a strength if rookie center Russell Bodine is the real deal. Elite NT Geno Atkins is back from a torn ACL to help DE Carlos Dunlap. First-round pick CB Darqueze Dennard has drawn rave reviews from Marvin Lewis.

Fourth and long: Dalton needs to be The Red Rifle in the playoffs instead of The Dread Rifle. New defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has no easy task replacing Mike Zimmer. There is age at cornerback.

4. Cleveland Browns

COACH: Mike Pettine
2014 PROJECTION: 5-11
2013 RECORD: 4-12
OVER/UNDER WINS: 6 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 75-1

First and goal: Mike Pettine should have the Dawg Pound barking with a deep defensive line anchored by NT Phil Taylor and bookend cornerbacks Joe Haden and No. 1 pick Justin Gilbert — whenever he beats out Buster Skrine — joining pass rushers OLBs Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo. Injury-prone RB Ben Tate is talented, but he’ll be a marked man unless and until Johnny Football emerges. The offensive line remains anchored by LT Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack. TE Jordan Cameron will be busy with WR Josh Gordon suspended.

Fourth and long: The burden of proof rests on Johnny Cleveland to prove that he will not be another Mistake by the Lake. WR Josh Gordon would have helped ease the transition, but he needs to get his life in order. Paul Warfield is 71: the Browns should sign him to a free agent contract anyway.