Cincinnati Bengals (3-1): The Bengals barely escaped the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday, winning in overtime on a Shayne Graham field goal. Still curious how the Bengals failed to run away with the game, though, as they had a big lead early following a series of Cleveland turnovers. Also wondering what kind of team lets the Browns back into it. Next Game: @ Ravens (3-1)

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2): Statement game by the Steelers… almost. The offense hit a new level on the back of Rashard Mendenhall. Proves that with a running game, every team looks better. Roethlisberger is still playing too well for his own good. But for another week the fourth quarter was trouble and the defense is not closing games out. Next Game: @ Detroit (1-3)

Cleveland Browns (0-4): The Browns showed some signs of life on Sunday, taking the Bengals to the wire. It was an unusual game: the Browns looked lost in the first half and then should have won in the second, but they let it slip away. This team will continue to struggle, but they aren’t the league’s worst. Next Game: @ Buffalo (1-3)

Thumbs Up:

Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben threw for over 300 yards for the second time this season and didn’t throw an interception for the first time this season. He has been playing too well for the Steelers to be just 2-2.

Rashard Mendenhall: Mendenhall ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns, proving that the Steelers still have a running game (sometimes) and that Mendenhall deserves his carries (when he behaves).

Jerome Harrison: The Browns new starter in the wake of Jamal Lewis’ injury has been impressive in two starts. In Baltimore he broke 50 yards on limited carries, and against Cincinnati he topped 120.

Terrell Suggs: Played well, made a game-changing play for a touchdown in the Ravens loss to the Pats, and learned how to keep his mouth shut post game.

Thumbs Down

Ravens Receivers: After a stellar start to the game, including six receptions by Derrick Mason on the team’s first scoring drive, the Ravens receivers disappeared. Dropped passes galore.

AFC North Special Teams: Kickers, returners, punters… they’ve all been bad with few exceptions. This week it was Shayne Graham’s blocked extra point to send Browns-Bengals in overtime; Chris Carr fumbling on the opening kickoff in New England; and Stefan Logan’s fumble on a punt return. Oh, and that doesn’t include the Steelers botching an opportunity to recover an onside kick attempt by the Chargers.

Chad Ochocinco: Hard to give a thumbs down to a guy that caught two touchdown passes… but when you only catch three passes for 24 yards against a more than suspect pass defense, you’re not brag-worthy.

Three Issues:

Who’s Number One? The Bengals and Ravens face off for early supremacy in the AFC North. With the Bengals already having an edge on the Steelers, taking the one-game lead on the Bengals would be extra helpful for the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Bengals are trying to prove they belong in the conversation.

Is this division still about defense? The Ravens and Steelers are both turning heads for their offensive prowess and both have become suspect defensively. The Ravens are third in points per game and total offense, the Steelers sixth in total offense. And while Cleveland and Cincinnati have both had offensive struggles, they are both improving. For most of this decade, the AFC North was the hardest hitting division in the NFL… are they losing their edge?

Can they really win? The Browns go to Buffalo and have a chance at their first win of the season against a struggling Bills team. The Browns offense looked poised to break out against the Bengals and against a weaker Bills defense they might be able to. If the Browns get rolling on offense, they won’t be quite as much fun to play.

1. Two Ravens runners will top 100 yards. That’s pretty bold, right? I’m leaning towards Willis McGahee and Ray Rice, obviously. Not sure that there are even enough carries in one game to get them both over 100 yards, but it only really takes one big run (and the Browns specialize in making those available). If this doesn’t happen, I won’t be losing any sleep. Just a gut feeling.

2. It won’t be a shut-out. As much as Ravens fans and the team want it, the Browns are going to score. This Ravens defense is not there yet, especially not with Josh Cribbs helping out with field position. Not sure if the Browns will find the endzone or not (based on yesterday’s score prediction, I’m leaning towards not), but they will put something up on the scoreboard. But man, what would a shut out do for the Ravens points allowed average!

3. The Bengals will upend the Steelers. Ok, so this one isn’t Ravens, obviously. But there’s only so much to say about Ravens-Browns. Looking at the other division game this weekend, I’m loving the Bengals. Their defense is more legitimate than most think at the moment, and with the Steelers unable to run and vulnerable to the sack, there’s hope for Cincy. I also love Hines Ward saying that Pitt isn’t worried about their running game because the passing attack can handle it – for how long, Hines?

Three Questions:

1. Will the Ravens big play defense show up? The Ravens are facing a pair of back-up runners (one a rookie). Their also facing an inexperience quarterback leading a sloppy offense. The turnovers should be there for the taking – so will the Ravens take them? I expect a couple of turnovers, of course. But the bigger question is can the Ravens turn one into their signature scoring play? Fans are waiting – Ed Reed, Fabian Washington, Haloti Ngata, we’re looking at you.

2. Will the Ravens secondary improve? It better, given the opponent is far less advanced than San Diego was last week, but we all still have doubts. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said the defense will be returning to more standard secondary arrangements, hopefully keeping everyone on the same page and (we can only hope) in the right position. It would also help if he taught his smaller corners how to defend a pass, and not just run stride for stride with a receiver. But we can only hope for so much in a week.

3. Will the Browns implode? Their play on the field has already collapsed, obviously. That’s not really the question. But the whole team seems on the verge of absolute self-destruction. If the Ravens really pound the Browns, it might just be enough to send them over the edge and on the path to being one of the truly memorable bad teams in football history. Ray Lewis has a history of leaving bad memories for opponents, we can only hope he delivers here.

1. Can the Ravens pass rush shake Philip Rivers? Rivers is used to getting hit – he’s hardly the least sacked quarterback in the league. But Rivers thrives despite his line’s deficiencies and is still one of the league’s most productive and dangerous quarterbacks. If the Ravens can’t rattle him, he’ll be in the game until the end. That’s you we’re looking at, Terrell Suggs and Trevor Pryce.

2. Can Joe Flacco eliminate the mistakes? Big mistakes are not Flacco’s big weakness. He makes small mistakes – overthrows and missed receivers – that have small consequences. But against a good team, small mistakes can turn into big mistakes. Flacco can’t be flinging the ball around recklessly on this defense.

3. Can Michael Oher and Jared Gaither handle Shawne Merriman? Merriman was a non-factor last week in Oakland for the Chargers, but it was his first full game back from last season’s injury. If the Ravens expect to be able to pass the ball, they’ll have to protect against Merriman’s attack – and the youngsters on the corner will have to do it.

Three Predictions:

1. Todd Heap will outshine Antonion Gates. It’s not just that Heap is back in rhythm, but Joe Flacco clearly knows how to use the big man. Heap will make an impact for the second straight week and confirm what many in the league have feared: he is still one of the league’s most impressive tight ends.

2. Darren Sproles will not top 50 yards on the ground. If Sproles is going to change this game, it’s going to be receiving out of the backfield and on special teams. While the “thunder and lightning” tandems have trouble the Ravens in past, the defense can handle just speed – which is all Sproles has going for him.

3.  Turnovers will rule. This game will be decided by mistakes – who makes more and when they make them. Neither the Ravens or Chargers have proved to be mistake-free yet (on offense or defense). But a big mistake or two will burn the losing team. Don’t think the Ravens can survive a blocked punt and 70-yard interception return this week.

The good news for Ravens fans is that the core of the team is still intact. For a group that found its way to the AFC Championship, that is not an insignificant statement. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed still lead a strong defensive unit and Joe Flacco and Derrick Mason anchor the offense—hardly a bad place to start on either front.

Unfortunately, the weaknesses threatening a repeat of last year’s playoff run will sound all too familiar. In training camp, the Ravens two weakest positions will line-up face-to-face on every down.

Offensively, the Ravens are still searching for a difference-maker at wide receiver. The team’s struggle to find a franchise quarterback has been well-documented, but after an impressive rookie season, most fans believe they have found their guy in Joe Flacco. Now Flacco just needs someone to throw to.

Veteran Derrick Mason is arguably the best possession receiver in the game today. And tight end Todd Heap is still considered by many to be one of the best tight ends in the game. Yet neither player is capable of shaking a defender and changing a defense’s schemes.

A brief look at last season’s game tapes show just how desperate the Ravens are for a receiver. Many of Flacco’s mistakes were not caused by defensive pressure or a heavy pass rush, but rather by a lack of options downfield. Too often, Flacco had plenty of time, but no one open.

There were plenty of options at receiver this off-season, but the Ravens have yet to make a move for a wide out. They passed on veteran Pro Bowlers Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt and did not take a single receiver on draft day. Rumors continue to swirl about the possibility of a trade for disgruntled Cardinals star Anquan Boldin, but most Ravens fans are not holding their breath.

Newsome, the team’s long-time general manager, says the team does not need an upgrade at receiver. He and the coaching staff are confident that with Joe Flacco, Willis McGahee and a more experienced line, the offense is ready to take off.

They will also point to a number of young receivers drafted in previous years ready to make a difference—from the well-known Demetrius Williams and Mark Clayton, to the lesser known Justin Harper and Marcus Smith.

Newsome may be right. His instincts on players are rarely wrong. But receiver is one position where he has yet to find the answer.

Defense will continue to be the Ravens strong suit, but the unit is far from perfect. The team struggled last year in pass defense, especially on the corners, and Newsome attacked the problem head-on in the off-season.

To be more accurate, Newsome began to deal with the problems in the secondary in 2008. He brought in speedy veterans Fabian Washington and Frank Walker, both who possess impressive physical skills but less than impressive resumes.

This offseason, Newsome continued the overhaul. Aging Pro Bowler Chris McAlister is gone after a season of injuries and apparent run-ins with the coaching staff. In his place, the team acquired Dominique Foxworth and Chris Carr from the Falcons and Titans respectively. Both moves continue Newsome’s shift  towards speed in the secondary.

It is still unclear whether these moves will solve the Ravens issues at corner. Newsome’s hope is obviously that quicker corners will allow the Ravens to have better success against pass-oriented teams like the Indianapolis Colts, who have dominated the Ravens in years past. But trading in proven talent for underperforming athletes has drawn serious criticism.

The Ravens are banking on the hope that faster defensive backs will result in better coverage at the start of a play, buying a stellar front-seven more time to get pressure on the quarterback. They won’t really know what they have, though, until they get to training camp in July.

Bonus Question!

The Ravens certainly have many more weaknesses than the two mentioned above. But the one that has to be most intriguing for this club in particular is in the kicking game. The Ravens allowed Matt Stover, the only holdover from the team’s days in Cleveland, to enter free agency.

So far, Stover has not signed and the Ravens have yet to fill the void. Steve Hauschka, who handled kick-offs for most of last season, and Graham Gano, and undrafted rookie out of Florida State, will compete for the job. But to put it simply, both are unknown variables.

While Stover struggled with long kicks and kick-offs in previous years, his accuracy on kicks under 45 yards was nearly unmatched. Around Baltimore you will find as many Stover jerseys as you will Ray Lewis’ and Joe Flacco’s.

You can be sure that the starting kicker will be a hot-topic all season long and that whoever gets the job, an early season miss will bring on the choir of doubters around the city.