AFC north.(NFL)(American Football Conference, National Football League)

BALTIMORE RAVENS

The team likes the upside of second-year RB Musa Smith. Smith lost some weight in the offseason, giving him more speed to complement good power. He has worked hard on running less upright, but he still carries the ball loosely.... WR Travis Taylor (groin) has returned and regained his starting spot, replacing Randy Hymes. Hymes played well, but Taylor is a much better blocker for a team that relies on the running game.... C Mike Flynn (shoulder) has returned and is expected to start Sunday. Flynn also could get some time at right guard because his replacement, C Casey Rabach, has been playing well. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: With second half games against the Jets, Patriots, Colts and Steelers, the club will have to take more chances to score points. So far, they have used a short, conservative passing game, limiting the decisions by QB Ride Boiler. Boiler might not be ready, but the time has come. One big plus: TE Todd Heap (ankle) should return soon.--Mike Preston

CINCINNATI BENGALS

DT John Thornton (6-3, 297) is solid but not dominant. He's quick off the snap, has fast bands, gets good leverage and shows strength and power at the point of attack. But he is undersized, has durability issues and struggles when teams pound the ball right at him.... RG Bobble Williams is having trouble adjusting to the team's blocking schemes in his first year with the Bengals. He's used to being a straight-ahead zone blocker, but Cincinnati uses more combination blocks that require timing, precision and communication. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: Without WR Peter Warrick, who has missed much of the season because of injuries, the offense lacks continuity and is predictable. Teams have taken advantage of Warrick's absence by double- and triple-teaming WR Chad Johnson, blitzing QB Carson Palmer and ganging up on RB Rudi Johnson. Bob Bratkowski's play-calling also hasn't helped.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Coach Butch Davis thinks WR Antonio Bryant can become a consistent all-around threat. Emerging No. 1 WR Andre Davis is a burner, but Bryant could be a more versatile short, intermediate and deep threat. He fights for the ball with more zest than Quincy Morgan, for whom he was traded.... RB Lee Suggs seldom was used as a receiver in college. But he has shown a knack for beating cornerbacks one-on-one if split wide, and for blowing away linebackers who attempt to pick him up out of the backfield. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The Browns emerged from camp intent on playing a smash- mouth style but became inept at playing catch-up in early losses after they fell behind. Last week's game against the Eagles was proof the roles of Suggs and RB William Green are being defined. QB Jeff Garcia has warmed to the tight end duo of and Steve Heiden as an effective alternative to Kellen Winslow, and coaches now trust Garcia to run when he feels the need.--Steve Doerschuk

PITTSBURGH STEELERS