The Pittsburgh Steelers have been to the playoffs in eight of Bill Cowher's 11 seasons as head coach.

There's no reason to think they won't make the postseason this year. The problems come when they get there: The Steelers have made only one Super Bowl under Cowher and lost three AFC title games at home.

Cleveland made the playoffs last season for the first time since returning to the NFL in 1999. Baltimore retains its outstanding defense. Cincinnati should be better just because Marvin Lewis is now the coach and team president Mike Brown has stepped into the background.

But Pittsburgh remains the clear favorite.

1. STEELERS

Coach: Bill Cowher (116-74-1, 12th year)

2002 record: 10-5-1, first in division, lost to Tennessee in divisional playoff game.

Key newcomers: TE Jay Riemersma, OL Todd Fordham, rookie S Troy Polamalu.

Key losses: QB Kordell Stewart (Chicago), OT Wayne Gandy (New Orleans), TE Marco Battaglia (Miami).

Overview: RB Amos Zereoue has taken the starting job from Jerome Bettis. He's faster and shiftier, but he's not a short-yardage guy. Hines Ward is one of the most complete wide receivers with his ability to catch, run and block. NT Casey Hampton can really disrupt an offense. With Ward, Plaxico Burress and Antwaan Randle El, Pittsburgh has the best trio of receivers around.

Super stat: Ward needs just 336 yards to move past Lynn Swann into third place on the team's all-time receiving yards list.

2. RAVENS

Coach: Brian Billick (42-28, fifth year)

2002 record: 7-9, third in division.

Key newcomers: WR Marcus Robinson, WR Frank Sanders, CB Corey Fuller, rookie LB Terrell Suggs, rookie QB Kyle Boller.

Key losses: DE Michael McCrary (retired), QB Jeff Blake (Arizona), FB Sam Gash (Buffalo), WR Brandon Stokley (Indianapolis).

Overview: LB Ray Lewis is one of the most dominant defenders in the NFL. He heads a linebacking corps that includes pass rusher Peter Boulware and is one of the best in the league. TE Todd Heap made the Pro Bowl last season and is only getting better. RB Jamal Lewis came back from a torn ACL and rushed for 1,327 yards last season.

Super stat: Boulware has 59 career sacks.

3. BROWNS

Coach: Butch Davis (16-16, third year)

2002 record: 9-7, second in division, lost to Pittsburgh in wild-card round.

Key newcomers: LB Barry Gardner, rookie C Jeff Faine, rookie LB Chaun Thomson.

Key losses: LB Jamir Miller (retired), C Dave Wohlabaugh (St. Louis), LB Dwayne Rudd (Tampa Bay), LB Earl Holmes (Detroit), CB Corey Fuller (Baltimore).

Overview: QB Kelly Holcomb beat out Tim Couch for the starting job, let's see how he handles it. RB William Green came on strong at the end of the season and could be ready to have a breakout year. Holcomb played well when given the chance last season and Green's improved running game gives the Browns some balance. The linebacking corps is young and untested, and the secondary is questionable.

Super stat: Former No. 1 pick Courtney Brown, a defensive end, has missed 16 of the past 32 games.

4. BENGALS

Coach: Marvin Lewis (first year)

2002 record: 2-14, fourth in division.

Key newcomers: LB Kevin Hardy, DT John Thornton, CB Tory James, rookie QB Carson Palmer, rookie G Eric Steinbach, Lewis.

Key losses: LB Takeo Spikes (Buffalo), FB Lorenzo Neal (San Diego).

Overview: Corey Dillon is a great RB stuck on a lousy team. WR Chad Johnson has moved past Peter Warrick as the team's best pass catcher. Dillon and Johnson give Bengals fans hope the offense can be more productive this season. The plan is not to rush Palmer, but when the Bengals struggle again, will they reconsider giving him some on-the-job training? Lewis is doing his best to rid the locker room of the loser's mentality that has been their shadow for so long.

Super stat: Bengals are 9-36 in games played before October since 1990.

- Enquirer news services