1 | PITTSBURGH

2017 | 13-3, first in North

Last year in playoffs | 2017

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

DE Stephon Tuitt: He struggled with injuries last season, and the Steelers had a difficult time stopping the run without him. A prime example came in the playoffs, when Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette ran for three touchdowns.

QB Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben is the key every season, but it will be especially interesting to watch him this fall. He’s cut out sugar and a lot of carbohydrates from his diet, and he’s leaner than ever. His arm looks good, too.

S Morgan Burnett: Signed in free agency to replace Mike Mitchell, Burnett should help improve communication in the Steelers’ secondary.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

RB James Conner: With Le’Veon Bell almost certainly moving on to become a free agent after this season, Conner has a chance to prove to the Steelers that he’s the heir apparent.

OLB T.J. Watt: Watt is already a star, actually, but he can build on an excellent rookie season now that he’s more than a rotational player. He led all rookie linebackers in the league with seven sacks.

FS Sean Davis: This is a pivotal season for Davis, a 2016 second-round pick from Maryland, who needs to show he has the range and sure tackling to shore up the back end of the defense.

2 | RAVENS

2017 | 9-7, second in North

Last year in playoffs | 2014

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

QB Joe Flacco: Having dealt with significant knee and back injuries the past few years, Flacco is looking better than he has in a while. Part of that could be the arrival of rookie Lamar Jackson, who should push him to improve.

C Matt Skura: With Tampa Bay signing former Ravens center Ryan Jensen to the most lucrative contract for the position in NFL history, the undrafted Skura is under consideration to take over as the man in the middle of the team’s offensive line.

DT Brandon Williams: The Ravens discovered this last season: When the 336-pound Williams is on the sideline, their defense can get trampled by the run. He needs to stay healthy.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

OLB Matthew Judon: In his third season out of Grand Valley State, Judon has slimmed down and is ready to make a big step up. He’s shown Terrell Suggs-type flashes, but he’s even more athletic.

CB Marlon Humprey: A first-round pick in 2017, Humphrey was one of 12 cornerbacks who didn’t give up a touchdown last season. He’ll be needed even more while Jimmy Smith misses the first four games with a suspension.

OT Orlando Brown Jr.: The son of the late Ravens tackle of the same name, the younger Brown should lock down the right side at 6 feet 8, 345 pounds.

3 | CINCINNATI

2017 | 7-9, third in North

Last year in playoffs | 2015

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

QB Andy Dalton: Entering his eighth season, Dalton is coming off a bumpy 2017, when the Bengals finished last in total yards and near the bottom in big plays. He didn’t get a lot of help from an anemic running game and porous offensive line.

RB Joe Mixon: In his second season, Mixon could become to the running game what A.J. Green is to Cincinnati’s passing game. Of course, a lot of that depends on the effectiveness of the offensive line.

DT Geno Atkins: He is a force in the middle and one of the NFL’s best interior pass rushers. Atkins has made it to four consecutive Pro Bowls and is key to the Bengals’ success on that side of the ball.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

C Billy Price: Fixing the offensive line was a priority for the Bengals. Along with tackle Cordy Glenn, Price, a first-round pick, is the centerpiece of that rebuilding process.

WR John Ross: He’s blistering fast; we all know that. But can Ross actually contribute to the passing game? The 2017 first-round pick had zero catches as an injury-prone rookie.

LB Jordan Evans: A sixth-round pick in 2017, Evans was pressed into early duty as a rookie because of injuries. The results were mixed. He made some good plays but also got burned on several occasions. The Bengals are counting on him to step up.

4 | CLEVELAND

2017 | 0-16, fourth in North

Last year in playoffs | 2002

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

QB Tyrod Taylor: Although

No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield is waiting in the wings, the Browns have made it clear that this is Taylor’s offense for now. It would be nice to give the rookie some time to breathe and prepare.

WR Jarvis Landry: He led the league in receptions with Miami last season and already is proving to be an emotional leader for both the team and the young group of receivers surrounding him.

DE Myles Garrett: The No. 1 overall pick in 2017, Garrett led the team in sacks last season despite missing five games. He is a cornerstone of Gregg Williams’ defense.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

DE Emmanuel Ogbah: He led the Browns in sacks last season before he was injured midway through the year. He will bookend the defensive line with Garrett.

CB Denzel Ward: The fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, Ward has locked down a starting job and upgrades the franchise at a critical spot.

OL Joel Bitonio: A Pro Bowl alternate at left guard last season, Bitonio might slide over to replace the retired Joe Thomas. Those are awfully big cleats to fill.

— Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times