A Reason to Love and Hate Every NFL Team This Season: AFC North Edition

In Part 2 of the latest pre-season punditry, we take a look at a reason to love and hate every team in the AFC North:

Cincinnati Bengals

Love - A Young Team on the Rise

Who would've thunk it?  The former Bungles look poised to top this powerhouse division within the next couple of years thanks to excellent rookie play by QB Andy Dalton and WR A. J. Green and continuing team development under coach Marvin Lewis.  It may be a matter of time before three's company in the classic Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry.

Hate - Management Even a Hometown Could Loathe

The real reason to hate the Bengals this year comes from off the field.  Despite the fact that the Bengals looked better in 2011 than they have in a long time, the franchise practically (and in some cases literally) had to give tickets away in Week 17 when the team clinched a playoff berth.  The issue wasn't that Cincy fans don't support their team but that they are tired of Potter-esque owner Mike Brown gouging them with some of the highest ticket and stadium prices in the rust belt/adhering to anitiquated TV blackout policies, chasing away their top talent and semi-regularly threatening to move the team elsewhere.  Expect an Occupy Cincinnati movement if this out-of-touch bozo doesn't change his management style.

Cleveland Browns
Love - Every Win Is an Underdog Story
As a long-time Saints fan, I know a thing or two about managing expectations with a chronically underperforming team.  Each win--no matter how ugly--is a reason to celebrate, especially with the Browns being the low man on the totem pole in a stacked AFC North division.

Hate - A Very Uninspired Quarterback "Competition"

Still, you'll have to put up with what is likely to be some rather exhausting quarterback play from Colt McCoy and/or Brandon Weeden.  Fan tip: Put a towel on that pillow to avoid drool contact.

Baltimore Ravens

Love - Ray Lewis' Eternal Youth

Ray Lewis is a once in a lifetime pro, and we've been spoiled for nearly 15 years watching this ageless wonder bring unmatched intensity to the field every Sunday.  But that sunset is creeping up on the horizon, and this very well could be Lewis' last show to rekindle that old Super Bowl glory.

Hate - T. Fizzle

Unfortunately, Ray Lewis is going to have a tough time living the dream without esteemed colleague (and Defensive Player of the Year in 2011) Terrell Suggs.  With an ill-timed ACL tear, Suggs will be out until at least November, leaving an aging Baltimore defensive squad to pick up the pieces for most of the regular season.  Add to that Ed Reed's suspected retirement, and the Ravens defense may look very different this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Love - A Victory Lap for an Aging Team

You know that classic and cliched cinematic moment when two arch-nemeses finally come face-to-face before the final battle and confess, "We're not so different, you and I..." ?  Couldn't be more true for Baltimore and Pittsburgh this season.  With Steelers veterans like Polamalu and Harrison beginning to weigh retirement options with Super Bowl possibilities, it'd be nice to see them give it a final go.

Hate - Haven't These Guys Won Enough Already?

The AFC could use a serious shake of the playoffs 8-ball with the Steelers competing in the Super Bowl 3 of the last 7 times.  Don't even get me started with the Patriots, who, combined with the Steelers have appeared 8 of the last 11 times.  Variety is the spice of life.  Also, Ben Roethlisberger still sucks as a human being.