AFC.(team-by-team analysis of American Football Conference)

BALTIMORE

MAINTAINING CONTINUITY: The Ravens got an unexpected gift when defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis did not land the Bills' head-coaching job. That means Lewis win be back to lead a dominating defense--the team's foundation--for another season. No coordinator in the league does a better job at motivating his players to go all out on every down. Though the team could lose starting OLB Jamie Sharper and starting SS Kim Herring in free agency, the defense should continue to stuff offenses in 2001 because Lewis will maintain continuity.... There still is a belief within the organization that Lewis one day will become an NFL head coach, but there are no guarantees. The window of opportunity for any assistant to become head coach is small, but for blacks, it's almost nonexistent.

IMAGE ISSUE: From here on out, the Ravens will have a national image of loudmouthed thugs without any discipline. Actually, that would be the opposite of the truth. The Ravens are so disciplined that coach Brian Billick has not imposed a curfew on his players in two years. This team is very focused and has a strong work ethic.... It seemed as if team president David Modell was never going to let go of the Vince Lombardi trophy, but now it's on to defending that trophy. One advantage the Ravens have that other Super Bowl teams haven't: more time to prepare for free agency. The free-agency signing period doesn't start until March 2. Before this year; it had begun in mid-February, and Super Bowl teams had to scramble to get ready for it. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

SCHEMING: New head coach Gregg Williams says he is leaning toward using the West Coast offense and multiple looks on defense. Expect the Bills to show the 3-4, the 4-3 and the high-pressure "46," which Williams used occasionally as the Titans' defensive coordinator. The West Coast offense requires a big-time player at receiver, which makes the re-signing of free agent Eric Moulds critical. There's good progress on that front The team is said to be prepared to offer Moulds a six-year contract for as much as $60 minion. But the team win have to manage its salary-cap problems to complete the deal.... G.M. Tom Donahoe was impressed by Williams' organizational skills, his thorough knowledge of the Bills' personnel and his philosophy for building a winning team. Williams' ability to put together a coaching staff shouldn't be a problem. Since 1992, he had kept a data bank ranking college and NFL coaches he would want in the event he became a head coach. Williams was expected to hire Titans secondary coach Jerry Gray as his defensive coordinator.

CAP STRAPPED: with the Bills reportedly more than $13 million over the cap, Donahoe says they can't afford to keep their two top quarterbacks. That means Doug Flutie or Rob Johnson will be released by March 1, when all teams have to be under the $67.4 million cap. If Flutie, who is scheduled to make $7.75 million in 2001, is cut, he would count for $4.7 million against the cap. Johnson is set to make $8.29 million: he'd count $6.6 million against the cap if cut. Translation: The team would take less of a salary-cap hit by dumping Flutie. --Allen Wilson

Cincinnati