AFC north.(NFL)

BALTIMORE RAVENS

WR Randy Hymns has moved past Clarence Moore and Devard Darling on the depth chart. Hymns may have the best hands of the three players. He has outstanding leaping ability and runs crisp routes.... Injuries have cut into OLB/DE Peter Boulware's playing time this season, but he still is one of the team's best pass rushers. Boulware seems to be getting some life back in his legs, and he'll probably be more of a factor in the second half of the season.... Chad Williams will fill in for SS Ed Reed (high ankle sprain). Williams has a nose for the ball and likes to study tape. He loves to hit, and he'll be an asset in run support, but he'll have problems defending the deep ball. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK:The Ravens need to gamble more on offense. Their line is no longer powerful enough for the team to rely totally on the running game. The Ravens have to try trick plays, run when teams expect them to pass and pass when teams expect them to run. They have to get the ball to TE Todd Heap and WR Derrick Mason: Pass protection has been a problem; shortening QB Anthony Wright's drop might help.--Mike Preston

CINCINNATI BENGALS

The defense is fast and athletic but lacks the physical capability to consistently contain the run in the AFC North, in which big running backs are the norm. It needs to fill the gaps better, get more defenders to the bail and wrap up ballcarriers.... RDT John Thornton is a solid anchor at the point of attack. He has shown he can split double-teams and be disruptive in the backfield. He's quick off the snap, gets good leverage and is strong enough to push the pile. But Thornton is undersized and will struggle when teams pound the ball directly at him. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: QB Carson Palmer is more comfortable and confident with the scheme that features a spread formation, a three-wide receiver set of Chad Johnson, TJ. Houshmaedzadeh and Chris Henry and a tailback rotation of Rudi Johnson and Chris Parry. Coordinator Bob Bratkowski keeps everyone involved and makes teams defend the entire field. He uses reverses, screens, shovel passes, short and intermediate spacing routes and the deep ball. The Bengals are ...