ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

As always, send all your questions and comments here. This is what ESPN.com's AFC North readers had to say in the past week:

On the Bengals' power ranking ...

Michael from Marysville writes: Do you have the Bengals as the worst team in all of football? You must if you have them getting beat by the Ravens who are playing their first game under a new head coach with a rookie QB. Not too mention McGahee and Reed may be out. Mark my words, the Bengals will have more victories then the Browns this year. I keep hearing you say that the D has been disappointing this offseason. What are you basing that off of? Did you watch any of the Saints game where they were on the field for the entire first half and still only gave up 10 points to one of the leagues most high octane offenses. I for one think the D has shown tremendous progress and they have some great young players in Joseph, Hall, Rivers, Odom, Geathers and Peko. All that time covering Cleveland sports has caused you to drink the brown and orange Kool-Aid. Give the Bengals some love.

Jay writes: You really got the Bengals finishing 4th in the AFC North? Really? Say what you want about our team and'or organization, but we DOMINATE the Ravens. If we could only play them 16 times a year....

Mike C writes: Two beat writers picking their hometown team to win the division seems more like wishful thinking and unbridled optimism. The only reason they can go out on that shaky limb is because last year was their first successful season in ages. I would be more impressed if Bengals' beat writers picked Cleveland.

On Chad Johnson becoming Chad Ocho Cinco ...

Brett from Rocky Hill, CT writes: The receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson is now legally Chad Ocho Cinco. You shouldn't write "Chad Johnson" in your articles anymore, regardless of how ridiculous it sounds, that is not his name anymore.

DJ from Chalfont writes: If his legal name is Chad Ocho Cinco, why are you still referring to him as Chad Johnson? If it is because you will not 'lower yourself' to his level, please keep in mind that it is his legal name - so unless you are writing an opinion piece you should be sticking to the facts. Thanks.

Reader in Charlottesville writes: James, Tell ESPN it's time to start referring Chad to his legal name, Mr. Ocho Cinco. Or the artist formerly known as Johnson. -Thanks

Reader from Maywood, NJ writes: So James -- who's going to tell Chad that 85 in Spanish is really Ochenta Cinco, not Ocho Cinco? Will this mean another legal name change and several more weeks of chasing this story?

Thoughts on the Steelers ...

Ryan from Pittsburgh writes: How big of a question mark is the Steelers offensive line? Seriously. A lot of fuss is being made about them not being able to pass block, but Ben doesn't seem to be sweating it, and he has the most to lose (aka his health). Also since it seems to me Faneca was on the downswing anyways, do they continue to be a dominate run blocking line? And what are your thoughts on a healthy (Polamalu and Smith), young (Timmons and Woodley), and improving (Taylor and Clark) top ranked (in '07) defensive unit? Obviously depth is a concern, but if they avoid any major injuries, is this a Super Bowl unit or what?!? Most of you guys seem to be down on the Steelers as a true contender, mostly because of the o-line. I know the schedule is a major hurdle, but think of it this way: Most people agree this team is playoff bound, and if so, can you think of another team that will have been tested throughout the season as much as the Steelers? By the time the playoffs roll around, they will be hardended and experienced against the very teams they will be facing in the playoffs. That's my two cents.

Gary from Whiting IN writes: With the Chargers, Colts and Jags all losing, and the Patriots losing Brady, the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to be the best performers in the AFC in week 1. I know it's still early but that was a dominant performance in all phases of the game

Thoughts on Sunday's win for the Ravens...

Steve writes: looks like willie anderson had alot to do with cinci's loss to ravens take a good defence that already knows are offence add our play calls (willie ) thats a recipe for disaster even if our line sucks the they knew cinci's calls sunday and also wes look into mike browns own football career and you will see why he dont care about winning I believe he still harbors some ill will towards his father (great coach) who kept him from playing for the bears after they drafted him.

Markiyan from Kiev, Ukraine writes: Hey, James, thanks for doing this blog, it's always a fun read! Watching yesterday's games, I thought that the Ravens, not the Browns, are the contenders for the AFC North crown along with the Steelers. Sure, Cleveland has the offense and the talent, but it always takes power and toughness to win this division. In this, the Ravens remind me of the Steelers, except that they don't have such a good quarterback (yet). It is of course too early to tell, but the Ravens can make a wildcard run this season.

On the NFL Fan Rankings ...

Reader from Cleveland writes: WOW! When I first saw the "Best Fan Rankings" I was angry. I am a Browns fan and obviously feel that Browns fans are much better than Steeler fans. Then I looked closer at the criteria for the rankings, and things made a little more sense. I will not sit here and bash you for ranking the Browns lower than the Steelers, but I do have a major issue with the "tailgating" score. The only logical explaination that I can think of, is that you have never really experienced a tailgate party at Browns Stadium. If that is the case, I would encourage you to wake up early on a Sunday and go to the Muni-Lot or the West 3rd lot at around 9am. For the best experience, I would recommend a meaningful game early in the season. I guarantee that you will change your score in this category after seeing: hand painted school busses, BBQ pits that need to be towed by a large truck, motorized couches, elaborate food spreads, painted faces, masks, and the incredible spirit of an entire city coming together to celebrate one common interest...OUR beloved Cleveland Browns! Do this for me, James, and THEN tell me you rank the "tailgating experience" as a 3. If you can do that, I would say that you are either blind and deaf...or a die hard Steelers fan!