BALTIMORE RAVENS

Coach: John Harbaugh (first year).
Key additions: FB Lorenzo Neal, G Adrien Clarke, OT Chad Slaughter.
Key losses: QB Steve McNair, RB Mike Anderson, WR Devard Darling, OT Jonathan Ogden, C Mike Flynn.
Draft picks who should help: QB Joe Flacco (18th overall), Delaware; RB Ray Rice (55), Rutgers; LB Tavares Gooden (71), Miami; DB Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame; OT Oniel Cousins (99), UTEP.
Of note: In 2007, Willis McGahee and Derrick Mason became the first running back/receiver combination to each gain more than 1,000 yards in a season.
Outlook: Injuries derailed the Ravens last season, but management didn't use it as an excuse, and coach Brian Billick was sent packing. The problem is, injuries have again hit hard in the preseason, with McGahee, tight end Todd Heap and safety Ed Reed among those who have been limited in practice. Harbaugh might be in for a rude awakening.
Last playoff appearance: 2006.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Coach: Marvin Lewis (sixth year, 42-38).
Key additions: TE Ben Utecht, DE Antwan Odom.
Key losses: C Alex Stepanovich, DE Bryan Robinson, DE Justin Smith, LB Landon Johnson, DB Madieu Williams.
Draft picks who should help: LB Keith Rivers (ninth overall), Cal; DT Pat Sims (77), Auburn; WR Andre Caldwell (97); Florida; OT Anthony Collins (112), Kansas.
Of note: For all of Lewis' hype as a defensive genius, the Bengals have never finished higher than 19th in total defense during his tenure, and in four of his seasons, didn't finish higher than 27th.
Outlook: The Bengals have the best receiving duo in the NFL in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson, who have helped quarterback Chad Palmer put up some big numbers. But the Bengals won't win without better defensive play. Their secondary is young, but improving. Rivers and Sims will need to contribute, as well, to get this team in the hunt for a division title.
Last playoff appearance: 2005.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Coach: Romeo Crennel (fourth year, 20-28).
Key additions: WR Donte' Stallworth, C Rex Hadnot, DT Shaun Rogers, DT Corey Williams, LB Shantee Orr, CB Terry Cousin.
Key losses: WR Tim Carter, TE Aaron Shea, NT Ted Washington, DE Orpheus Roy, DE Simon Fraser, LB Matt Baxter, DB Kenny Wright.
Draft pick who should help: LB Beau Bell (104th overall), UNLV.
Of note: Crennel should take notice: The Browns won 10 games in a season for the first time since 1994, when Bill Belichick was their coach, but went 5-11 the next season, and Belichick was ousted.
Outlook: One of the AFC's best offenses got even better with the additions of Stallworth and Hadnot, and the defense got tougher with the additions of Rogers and Williams. It has been 21 years since the Browns won a division title. There is a shot, should the Steelers stumble, for the Browns to end the drought.
Last playoff appearance: 2002.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Coach: Mike Tomlin (second year, 10-6).
Key additions: QB Byron Leftwitch, C Justin Hartwig, LB Kevaron Fox, DT Orpheus Roye, KR Mewelde Moore, P Mitch Berger.
Key losses: TE Jerame Tuman, G Alex Faneca, LB Clark Haggans, DB Alex Rossum.
Draft picks who should help: RB Rashard Mendenhall (23rd overall), Illinois; WR Limas Sweed (53), Texas; LB Bruce Davis (88), UCLA; OT Tony Hill (130), Texas; QB Dennis Dixon (156), Oregon.
Of note: Mike Tomlin, just the third Steelers coach since 1969, posted the second winning record for a first-year coach in franchise history. Bill Cowher went 11-5 in 1992 after he took over for Chuck Noll.
Outlook: Tomlin had the league's toughest defense last year; it allowed an average of 266.4 yards a game, and just 89.9 rushing. Combine that with the offensive talents of Ben Roethlisberger (104.1 passer rating in '07) and Willie Parker (1,312 rushing yards), and you have a team that can challenge for the conference title.
Last playoff appearance: 2007.

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