Cincinnati Bengals (OVER 9)
   CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: The Bengals underachieved last year at 8-8, including two separate three-game losing streaks, and it's my belief that a lot of that can be attributed to their nine offseason arrests and the circus atmosphere that surrounded the team. This past off-season, things have been relatively quiet on the police blotter and hopefully that's an overall change in the collective attitude and the focus is more on being a professional football team. Center Alex Stepanovich comes over from the Cardinals to replace the retired Rich Braham, and the rest of the team stayed mostly intact.
   SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: I have the Bengals opening 3-0, though if they can go 2-1 after facing the Ravens, Browns and Seahawks, they'll still be in great shape. At worst, they should be 5-3 (though I have them at 6-2) at the halfway point of the season when they get a much softer schedule the second half. If they're a little short late, they have the advantage of closing vs. the 49ers, Browns and Dolphins. 

Sept. 10 Baltimore      W

Sept. 16 at Cleveland     W

Sept. 23 at Seattle      W

Oct. 1 New England     L

Oct. 7 BYE

Oct. 14 at Kansas City    W    

Oct. 21 New York Jets       L  

Oct. 28 Pittsburgh        W

Nov. 4 at Buffalo        W

Nov. 11 at Baltimore     L

Nov. 18 Arizona         W

Nov. 25 Tennessee       W

Dec. 2 x-at Pittsburgh       W        

Dec. 9 St. Louis           L

Dec. 15 at San Francisco     W 

Dec. 23 Cleveland        W

Dec. 30 at Miami        L

Pittsburgh Steelers (UNDER 9)
   CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: The Steelers followed up their Super Bowl title two years ago with a disappointing 8-8 campaign last year. It certainly help that Ben Roethlisberger had his motorcycle accident in the off-season and the Steelers never seemed totally in synch. Now, the team has to deal with the change in the coacing staff with Mike Timlin replacing Bill Cowher, and they also lost linebacker/emotional leader Joey Porter and haven't done anything really to address concerns on offense. I don't see them bouncing back right away.
   SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: The Steelers open vs. the Browns, Bills and 49ers, and I don't doubt they gets some wins and some confidence, but I think they'll then hit the skids. They'll face a tough game on Sept. 30 at Arizona against former offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, then a game vs. the Seahawks. And it doesn't get easier after their bye week against the Broncos, Bengals and Ravens. If they're flirting with .500 late in the year, they have to close vs. the Bengals, Patriots, Jaguars, Rams and Ravens. Nine wins seems like the absolute maximum.

Sept. 9 at Cleveland    W

Sept. 16 Buffalo       W

Sept. 23 San Francisco    W 

Sept. 30 at Arizona       L

Oct. 7 Seattle             L

Oct. 14 BYE

Oct. 21 at Denver       L

Oct. 28 at Cincinnati      L         

Nov. 5 Baltimore        L

Nov. 11 Cleveland      W

Nov. 18 at New York Jets   L 

Nov. 26 Miami         W

Dec. 2 x-Cincinnati     L

Dec. 9 at New England    L  

Dec. 16 Jacksonville           L    

Dec. 20 at St. Louis     L

Dec. 30 at Baltimore      L


Baltimore Ravens (OVER 9)
   CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: The Ravens surprised me last year at 13-3 and I got on the bandwagon way too late. I don't see them doing as well as that, but they should get to double digits again with a solid defense and the offense led by Steve McNair and with a huge upgrade with Willis McGahee taking over at tailback for the departed Jamal Lewis. A key loss however, was losing Adalius Thomas to the Patriots
   SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: A tough opener at Cincinnati is followed by a soft stretch vs. the Jets, Cardinals, Browns, 49ers, Rams and Bills. I see them in contention for a first-round bye leading up to a key stretch vs. the Chargers, Patriots and Colts.

Sept. 10 at Cincinnati                L

Sept. 16 New York Jets          W

Sept. 23 Arizona          W

Sept. 30 at Cleveland     W

Oct. 7 at San Francisco     W

Oct. 14 St. Louis         W

Oct. 21 at Buffalo       W

Oct. 28 BYE

Nov. 5 at Pittsburgh     W

Nov. 11 Cincinnati    W

Nov. 18 Cleveland      W

Nov. 25 at San Diego     L 

Dec. 3 New England     L

Dec. 9 x-Indianapolis       L       

Dec. 16 at Miami      W

Dec. 23 at Seattle     L

Dec. 30 Pittsburgh      W

Cleveland Browns (lean UNDER 5.5)
   CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: I've been waiting for the Browns to improve under head coach Romeo Crennel, whom I respect, but it's been slow. The addition of Jamal Lewis at running back is nothing to get excited about and I don't think Brady Quinn is the answer at quarterback. Even if he is, the team will likely continue to undergo growing pains and not much can be expected this season, so I lean under the relatively low number of 5.5.
   SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: The game at Oakland in Week 3 looks like the only likely win in the first five games and they probably won't be much better than pick-em at home vs. the Dolphins in Week 6. From there, it doesn't look too much more promising. There aren't many winnable games the rest of the way, with the Texans, Cardinals, Bills and 49ers being the most likely candidates, and I don't see them winning them all.

Sept. 9 Pittsburgh     L

Sept. 16 Cincinnati     L

Sept. 23 at Oakland    W

Sept. 30 Baltimore      L

Oct. 7 at New England    L 

Oct. 14 Miami         L

Oct. 21 BYE

Oct. 28 at St. Louis    L

Nov. 4 Seattle          L

Nov. 11 at Pittsburgh    L             

Nov. 18 at Baltimore    L

Nov. 25 Houston     W

Dec. 2 at Arizona      L

Dec. 9 at New York Jets     L        

Dec. 16 Buffalo        W

Dec. 23 at Cincinnati      L           

Dec. 30 San Francisco    L