AFC North: August 2008 Archives

The Bengals were the laughing stock of the NFL before coach Marvin Lewis arrived. Now, well, they are perfectly average. During Lewis' five-year run, Cincinnati has finished 8-8 three times, and 7-9 once. Though the Bengals have never been able to sustain the success they had in 2005 by finishing 11-5, the talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball, has always been there.

And it still is. In fantasy football terms, few teams are as loaded as the Bengals. Their offense features three fantasy studs, and one fallen running back looking to redeem himself. When Carson Palmer and crew air it out, fantasy owners will reap the benefits.

It's not easy to replace a coaching legend, but Mike Tomlin handled it as well as anyone could have hoped last season. A 10-6 record and a playoff birth was enough to satisfy the Pittsburgh faithful in Year One, but that likely won't be good enough this season. The Steelers will start the season in everyone's top ten in power rankings, and probably in the top five in most.

Like any NFL behemoth, the Steelers are loaded with big time fantasy players on offense. Still, fantasy owners were likely upset to see Pittsburgh use its first round draft pick on running back Rashard Mendenhall, who may take away goal line touches from starter Willie Parker.