(By Gerry Wang)

AFC CENTRAL

1.) Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars are my pick to meet the Jets in the AFC Championship game. From there it'll be a crapshoot, although I think the Jets will emerge victorious. It just ain't Jacksonville's time yet. But wait a few years, maybe even next year, and I believe Jacksonville can start their own 2000s dynasty, much like the 49ers of the 80's. They're solid at every offensive sector-- QB, RB, WR............ but it's been their defense that's been susceptible. Now w/ new defensive coordinator Dom Capers, the former head coach of the Carolina Panthers, the defensive problem will be no more.

Players to watch:
-> Mark Brunell - He woulda had a bombass year were it not for an injury. Still, he put up decent numbers. He's my main man in the fantasy leagues.
-> Fred Taylor - He's just gonna be a second year RB, but damn, one day he'll hit the 2,000 yard mark. His yards per game average is astronomical.
-> Keenan McCardell & Jimmy Smith - Jacksonville's unheralded receivers, they only had modest years last year because Brunell got injured. Look for them to get 1,000 yards and 10 TDs each.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Carnell Lake - He was the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary. Now he brings his leadership and grit to the Jag's new and improved D.
-> Kyle Brady - Signed from the Jets for a reason. He catches touchdowns.

Predicted record: 12-4
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2.) Baltimore Ravens - If I ever hear another smartass sports anchor say "Nevermore," I'm gonna go medieval. That is an overrused cliche by now folks. Anyways, call me crazy, but I think the Ravens will be the sleeper of this NFL season. Their preseason was excellent, and if that's an indication of things to come, then watch for the Ravens to upset a lot of teams. I credit this turn around to the new coach Brian Billick, who ran Minnesota's record-breaking offense last year. With the additions of QBs Scott Mitchell and Tony Banks, the Ravens will have a decent passing game, as long as their no-name receivers do their duty and get open. But what stands out is Baltimore's defense. LBs Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware, and Michael McCrary are two of the league's rising stars, and now Chris McAlister, the All-American CB from Arizona will join Rod Woodson in the secondary. Damn........ that's a good lineup.

Players to watch:
-> Jermaine Lewis - I'm taking a gamble on him in my fantasy leagues because he has big play potential, and now he's got the arms to get the ball to him to facilitate the utilizing of that said potential.
-> Michael McCrary - He sacks QBs as a hobby in his off-time.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> The QBs - Wow, if Scott Mitchell, a Steve Young prototype goes down, then Tony Banks, a Randall Cunningham prototype replaces him.
-> Chris McAlister - I've never seen someone break up so many passes before. He dominated my team (UCLA), but we still won because we just never passed it to whomever he was guarding.

Predicted record: 10-6
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3.) Tennessee Titans - I'm willing to bet that more than one sportscaster will mistakenly call the Titans the Oilers. Heh heh. It's always so hilarious. People kept calling them Houston last year. Anyways, the TITANS are a team on the rise, because they are forming a solid young nucleus of players in QB Steve McNair, RB Eddie George, and WR Kevin Dyson. These guys were their 1st round picks from the last 3 years, respectively. The Titans also have talented WR Yancey Thigpen, who was underused last year and injured. Look for the WRs to make more of a difference this year and pad the stats of Steve McNair, who was stuck throwing only short passes last year.

Players to watch:
-> Eddie George - He proves that the Heisman curse is a fluke. He's got that rare combination of speed and power, but still hasn't really had a breakout year.
-> Frank Wychek - I know what you're thinking. You're thinking who??? But damn, Wychek always seems to get open. I think he led his team in receiving for the last few years.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Jevon Kearse - They drafted him in the 1st round, and he's been called Florida's best defensive product ever.
-> Lorenzo Neal - Never underestimated the importance of a good fullback. Sure, they touch the ball maybe twice a year, but their blocking is invaluable.

Predicted record: 10-6
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4.) Pittsburgh Steelers - This is a team that's on a decline as of late. They lost their best receiver in Charles Johnson, and Jerome Bettis had a terrible season last year. Plus Kordell Stewart stunk up the QB position. So what's changed? Coaching changes and more depth in the defense. Kordell Stewart will be expected to carry the load, but I doubt he will amount to anything more than a good running running quarterback. He doesn't have instinct to stay in the pocket despite the pressure. But the Steelers will ultimately be mediocre because they always lose too many starters to free agency.

Players to watch:
-> Kordell Stewart - Can he "Slash" again? If Pittsburgh can draw up specific plays that let him bootleg or run the option, the Steelers oughta puzzle many people. But alas, none of that bizarre college stuff ever works in the pros.
-> Jerome Bettis - Injured right now, but is integral to the Steelers' success. Had an off-year last year, and needs to bounce back to his old form of bowling people over.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Troy Edwards - Drafted him in the first round to replace the departed Charles Johnson. He's got talent, but Kordell absolutely must get him the ball.

Predicted record: 9-7
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5.) Cincinnati Bengals - They're doomed to stink because of the competition in their division. However, they do have an up and coming defense, and a good young quarterback in Akili Smith. Plus their receivers, Darnay Scott and Carl Pickens aren't too shabby either. The hard part is convincing them that they should be happy in Cincy. But right now, their backfield isn't looking too promising. Ki-Jana Carter is wrought w/ injuries, and Corey Dillon had a sophomore slump......... I think it was his second year last year.

Players to watch:
-> Jeff Blake - He is a scrappy scrambler, but lacks confidence after being demoted consistently in favor of white QBs. He's the starter again and needs to spearhead the offensive unit. Or else the Bengals will suck...... as usual.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Akili Smith - He's their franchise QB of the future. Strong arm, good quickness, good runner. Just needs experience.

Predicted record: 6-10
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6.) Cleveland Browns - They're an expansion team, as eerie as that feels. Expansion teams are doomed to suck their first few years. Don't expect anything different. Ty Detmer should start, but I have a feeling new coach Chris Palmer will be pressured to give rookie Tim Couch some playing time, which will either pay huge dividends or be another Ryan Leaf debacle. But besides the QB spot, the rest of the team is looking painfully weak. The RB will be Terry Kirby. My goodness, he's the savior. The Browns will look atrocious in their first year.

Players to watch:
-> Tim Couch - Will he be the next Peyton Manning? Or the next Rick Mirer? Only time will tell. He's in a tough situation though.
-> Defense - The Browns D actually looks decent, although dealing w/ all the giveaways by the offense will eventually take its toll. Look for solid pros like Jamir Miller and Marquez Pope to anchor the defense.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> The entire Cleveland team

Predicted record: 4-12
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AFC CENTRAL RECAP
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Tennessee Titans (10-6)
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)
Cleveland Browns (4-12)