After winning a Super Bowl just two years ago, QB Joe Flacco and his Ravens regressed in 2013. An 8-8 season and finishing third in the AFC North division was not palatable to general manager Ozzie Newsome and the Maryland faithful.
The Steelers swept their three division rivals a year ago en route to their record sixth Super Bowl title. Pittsburgh allowed the fewest points in the NFL, and that dominating defense will allow it to keep the Steel Crew at the top of the heap, despite a mediocre offense. Head coach John Harbaugh has Baltimore moving in the right direction, and young quarterback Joe Flacco proved his mettle by leading the Ravens to two playoff victories on the road. Cincinnati finished an ugly campaign on a high note by winning its final three games, but can Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco play nice together? It won’t matter unless the defense can step it up a notch.
