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Let's see who's falling and rising after Week 3 of the preseason.

Falling

1. Cleveland Browns' ball security: The Browns were efficient for the most part during the first two weeks of the preseason. But something got into this team in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland was sloppy and turnover-prone in Week 3. The Browns fumbled three times (lost two on special teams), and quarterback Colt McCoy threw an interception to Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel. The Browns don't have enough talent to overcome so many mistakes in the regular season. The Browns need to get back to playing smart, mistake-free football.

2. Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens receiver: So far Smith doesn't appear ready to contribute right away to the Ravens. The rookie second-round pick has suffered some early drops and is thinking too much on the field. The hesitancy also is taking away Smith's biggest asset, which is his speed. Receivers often take time to adjust to the NFL. Smith has shown a few flashes but still has a ways to go.

3. Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback: When a significant trade is made in the NFL, that often means the team isn't confident with the player(s) currently on the roster. That's likely the case with the health of Jones, who continues to rehab from two offseason neck surgeries. The Bengals acquired former Seattle Seahawks corner Kelly Jennings this week. Jones missed all of training camp and the preseason. The Bengals were hoping Jones could make it back for Week 1. But Jones could be a candidate for the physically unable to perform list (PUP).

Rising

1. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver: Brown exploded against the Atlanta Falcons last week. He recorded four receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns. In fact, Brown has been the most impressive AFC North player in the preseason, according to our recent poll. He’s the favorite to land Pittsburgh’s No. 3 receiver role.

2. Tyrod Taylor, Baltimore Ravens quarterback: Taylor is another player whose stock continues to rise. The rookie had another solid outing against the Washington Redskins. Taylor threw for 125 yards and one touchdown and he led the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. The Ravens haven't officially named their No. 2 quarterback. But Taylor is making a very strong case.

3. Crezdon Butler, Steelers cornerback: Butler made a big impression on Pittsburgh's coaching staff with nine tackles and a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown against Atlanta. The Steelers need answers in their secondary before their Week 1 showdown against Baltimore. Starters Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden have been out with injuries. Younger players like Butler and Keenan Lewis need to step up.

Week 2 of the preseason is in the books for the AFC North division. Let's see who's stock is rising and falling.

Falling

1. Cincinnati Bengals' starters: Cincinnati's first team is getting hammered in the preseason. The Bengals are being outscored 41-10 in the first half when starters get a majority of playing time. That is inexcusable for the preseason. Starting slow is a habit the Bengals need to break. This team is too inexperience and not good enough this year to overcome these kind of deficits in the regular season.

2. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton: Cincinnati's second-round pick added two more interceptions Sunday night against New York. One interception was a drop and deflection from receiver A.J. Green, and the second was a pass that sailed too high. Dalton also had a poor exchange with tailback Cedric Benson that resulted in a fumble and a 17-yard loss. The growing pains continue for Dalton. He threw for 86 yards, two interceptions and had a 16.4 passer rating against the Jets.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line: Via injuries and inconsistent play, the Steelers' offensive line remains a work in progress. Two left tackles -- Jonathan Scott and Marcus Gilbert -- both went down with injuries in Pittsburgh's 24-14 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Pittsburgh's offensive line also is having trouble keeping players off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He played well but was sacked twice and hit several more times by Philadelphia.

Rising

1. Steelers' defense: Pittsburgh's first-team defense looked in midseason form with a healthy Troy Polamalu in the lineup. The Steelers baffled Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and forced three interceptions. Pittsburgh treated the first half like a regular-season game and was fast and physical. The Steelers return all 11 starters from last year, which is extremely valuable following the NFL lockout.

2. Browns quarterback Colt McCoy: Cleveland's second-year quarterback continued his solid preseason with a three-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions. McCoy didn't throw for many yards (96). But he ran the offense efficiently for the second straight week.

3. Ravens receiver Lee Evans: It was a successful Ravens debut for Evans, who was recently acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. He tied for the team lead with three catches for 68 yards in Baltimore's 31-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The biggest play came on a hookup between Flacco and Evans for 43 yards. But Evans not only showed deep speed, he showed versatility. Evans' two other receptions came on a quick slant and out route for first downs.

Week 1 of the preseason is in the books. So let's see who's stock is rising and falling after the first batch of preseason games.

Falling

1. The Cincinnati Bengals: I rarely make too much of the preseason. But I didn't like the way the Bengals came out to start their 2011 season. It's a new era and a fresh start in Cincinnati. But the Bengals didn't play with much energy or effort in a 34-3 loss to the Detroit Lions. It's difficult to lose a preseason game by 31 points. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has a lot of work to do. I want to see how the Bengals rebound this week against the New York Jets.


2. Baltimore Ravens' offensive tackles: Baltimore allowed six sacks in its 13-6 preseason defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles. At least three sacks came against starting offensive tackles Michael Oher and Oniel Cousins. Pass protection has been a year-long problem in Baltimore. Oher had a great rookie campaign on the right side but has been average as a left tackle. Cousins hasn't shown much on the right side. The Ravens are now considering moving Cousins to right guard. There don't seem to be any easy answers to this issue.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers' pass defense: In Pittsburgh's first game since Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a field day in Super Bowl XLV, Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman (207 yards, one touchdown) also did well in limited action. Should this be a concern? Bryant McFadden was out and cornerback Ike Taylor broke his thumb. Taylor is expected to miss the rest of the preseason at an already thin position. It's way too early to panic. But Pittsburgh's corners need to start covering better this summer to erase concerns of last season's Super Bowl loss.

Rising


1. Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy: There is a lot of pressure on McCoy to show growth this year as the full-time starter. He made a great first step with a near-perfect performance against the Packers. McCoy was 9 of 10 for 135 yards and a touchdown. He led two touchdown drives -- one against Green Bay's starters and the other against the Packers' second unit. This should give McCoy and the first-team offense things to build on in the preseason.

2. Browns coach Pat Shurmur: The Browns looked solid and played with energy in Shurmur's head-coaching debut. Shurmur was solid in his dual role as head coach and offensive coordinator. The Browns looked prepared and the offense moved the ball. His play calling went a long way to giving McCoy and his younger players confidence.

3. Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger: Kruger had his best game as a Raven, albeit in the preseason. He recorded five tackles and a sack against Philadelphia. Kruger was active and looks much better now that he's lost the extra bulk. Baltimore tried converting him to a full-time defensive end in 2010, which didn't work. Now, the Ravens hope Kruger can provide more quickness and speed-rushing on the outside.

Let's see who's rising and who's falling in the AFC North now that training camps have started.

Falling

1. Baltimore Ravens receivers: Rookie second-round pick Torrey Smith would likely be the starter if Baltimore's season started today. That was not the plan when the offseason began. Baltimore made a calculated error by releasing veteran starter Derrick Mason. The Ravens believed they could get a better, more dynamic replacement. Instead, Baltimore struck out with Malcom Floyd, who would have been a great addition. The Ravens tried to get Mason back but it was too late. Mason joined Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. That leaves the Ravens with few options.

2. Cleveland Browns offense: Cleveland's offense has a lot of work to do. The unit did not look game-ready during my week-long visit to Browns camp. There were alignment errors on offense, plenty of drops and an overall lack of talent. Second-year quarterback Colt McCoy had his ups and downs, as well. Fortunately, the Browns have a month to get their new West Coast offense on track.

3. Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver: Sanders came to training camp with high hopes. His goal was to become Pittsburgh's next 1,000-yard receiver. But Sanders has missed most of camp because of a foot injury. Pittsburgh hasn't expressed concern publicly. But it's telling that the Steelers have shown significant interest in veteran receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Plaxico Burress the past two weeks.

Rising

1. LaMarr Woodley, Steelers linebacker: A player's stock always goes up following a $61.5 million extension. Woodley received a huge raise after playing out the final year of his rookie contract. Woodley was arguably the NFL's best bargain in 2010. He made just $550,000 and registered 10 sacks for the reigning AFC champs. Pittsburgh did its part by rewarding Woodley for his patience.

2. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals receiver: Scouts told me before the draft that Green was the real deal. Early reports out of training camp back those claims. Green, the No. 4 overall pick, will replace six-time Pro Bowler Chad Ochocinco as Cincinnati's No. 1 receiver. Green is having a good camp so far. I'm looking forward to getting my first up-close look at Green this week.

3. Phil Taylor, Browns defensive tackle: Cleveland's first-round pick made his presence known during the first week of training camp. Taylor arrived four days late because of a contract dispute. But he was in shape and ready to play on the first-team defense. Taylor was hard to move at the point of attack and also showed the ability to get up the field. Taylor and fellow defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin could be a tough tandem in the middle of Cleveland's defense.

It's baaaaaaack!

After a lengthy hiatus, we decided to bring back an offseason edition of the AFC North "Stock Watch." The NFL season appears just around the corner as a new collective bargaining agreement is reportedly nearing its completion.

So let's look at who's stock is rising and falling this offseason.

Falling

1. Carson Palmer, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals: Palmer went from a quarterback who helped lead Cincinnati to the playoffs in 2009 to a disgruntled player who wants out a year later. The Bengals refuse to trade Palmer and he looks headed for retirement. Stock can't get any lower than that. Palmer, 31, struggled at times last season but still can be a solid starting quarterback for a contending team. But Palmer might not get that opportunity this season.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have to pick up the pieces after a troubling offseason that included three separate controversies. Hines Ward and Rashard Mendenhall both have their issues to deal with. But the most recent incident could be the most explosive. Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison had disparaging remarks in a magazine interview for many in the NFL community, including two of his own teammates. This isn't the kind of start a team wants in an effort to try to get back to the Super Bowl. Make no mistake, the talent is still there for the Steelers to be a good team. But I don't see a seventh Super Bowl in their future this season.

3. Adam Jones and Cedric Benson, Bengals: The last players who could afford to have their names in the police blotter are Jones and Benson, who both have had their share of run-ins with the law. Jones already served two major suspensions by the NFL for past transgressions with the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys. He is down to his last strike, which is why his most recent arrest for disorderly conduct is concerning. Jones says he's innocent -- and he better be right. If found guilty, it could lead to a permanent suspension and Cincinnati parting ways with the controversial cornerback. Benson is a free agent and may have hurt his stock significantly following an assault charge over the weekend.

Rising

1. Baltimore Ravens: Last week I received a lot of heat for picking the Ravens to win the AFC North in 2011, but I'm sticking with that prediction. Unlike the Steelers, no news has been good news for the Ravens. The players have stayed out of trouble and even rallied behind their quarterback, Joe Flacco, who has faced a bevy of criticism this offseason from media, fans and opposing players. Any little edge between the Ravens and Steelers could make the difference in this competitive rivalry, and Baltimore has fewer questions right now. The Ravens also don't have many big issues in free agency, with the exception of offensive lineman Marshal Yanda, who we will get to later.

2. Johnathan Joseph, cornerback, Bengals: Joseph, 26, is a young cornerback and in his prime, and that should pay off huge in free agency. Quality corners are making an average of $8-$10 million per season, which is probably the neighborhood Joseph is looking to land in. The only question is whether Joseph gets his money in Cincinnati or elsewhere. The Bengals were unwilling to come up to that amount before the lockout and it might be the same circumstances post-lockout. But Jones' neck injury/arrest and the likelihood of mandatory spending could put Joseph back in play for Cincinnati.

3. Marshal Yanda, offensive lineman, Ravens: Yanda is one of the more underrated names in free agency, but he should get some interest around the league. The Ravens like Yanda and want him back. His potential departure would leave a big void on the right side of the offensive line. Yanda brings a lot of versatility, and that will be coveted by other teams. He started at both guard and tackle for the Ravens last season. The proposed 72-hour window for teams to negotiate with its free agents could be big for Baltimore and Yanda.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns quarterback: It was just a matter of time before McCoy had a "rookie" game, and it came in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. This was the first time this season that McCoy, Cleveland's 2010 third-round pick, looked confused in seven starts. McCoy threw for just 149 yards and three interceptions. There are a lot of questions about whether McCoy can play in bad weather in Cleveland, and he will get another opportunity to do it Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2. Peyton Hillis, Browns running back: It appears the heavy workload has finally caught up to Hillis, who is averaging just 47 yards rushing in the past two games. The Ravens stuffed Hillis by holding him to 35 rushing yards and hurt his ribs in the process. Hillis, Cleveland's leading rusher and second-leading receiver, sat out of practice Wednesday for the second straight week. Cleveland's offense has struggled in recent weeks, and Hillis' injuries and declining production are a major reason.

3. Sergio Kindle, Ravens linebacker: Kindle's focus should be on rehabbing after fracturing his skull in July and missing the 2010 season. But Kindle took another step backward by getting arrested this week on drunken-driving charges. Ravens coach John Harbaugh admits Kindle has a history of making bad choices, and that's the quickest way into the doghouse in Baltimore. The rookie has a lot to prove in order to earn his way on the team once he's healthy.

RISING

1. Jerome Simpson, Cincinnati Bengals receiver: Where was Simpson all these years? After being inactive or sitting on the bench for nearly three seasons, Simpson exploded last week with six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the San Diego Chargers. Injuries to Chad Ochocinco (ankle) and Terrell Owens (knee) have allowed Simpson to get extensive playing time. Simpson has to prove that last week wasn't a fluke and play well again in Cincinnati's final game against Baltimore.

2. Carson Palmer, Bengals quarterback: Although it was just one game, it is ironic that Palmer had his best performance of the season without Owens and Ochocinco on the field. Palmer was nearly flawless, throwing for 269 yards and four touchdowns against San Diego's No. 1-rated defense. Young receivers Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Jordan Shipley and tight end Jermaine Gresham were in the right spots, and Palmer had no trouble getting the ball there. Is this a preview of the Bengals' offense in 2011?

3. Ed Reed, Ravens safety: Reed easily won the mental chess game against McCoy in Baltimore's 20-10 win over the Browns. Reed picked off two passes and read McCoy's eyes successfully the entire game. At some point you would think quarterbacks would stop throwing in Reed's direction. This was the future Hall of Famer's 10th multi-interception game of his career, which makes him the NFL's active leader in that category.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns head coach: Mangini entered the 2010 season on the hot seat, and if he doesn't retain his job, we may look back at the past two weeks as a turning point. The Browns are 5-9 and looked listless in back-to-back losses to inferior opponents: the Cincinnati Bengals (3-11) and Buffalo Bills (4-10). Each team entered its game against Cleveland with two wins. The Browns also enter the next two weeks as underdogs against the Baltimore Ravens (10-4) and Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4). These are must-win games for Mangini, who needs to impress Browns president Mike Holmgren.

2. Browns' run defense: Cleveland's defense, which has been scrappy all season, has lost its edge and physicality in recent weeks. The Browns have allowed 380 rushing yards against Buffalo and Cincinnati. Now some are wondering if Cleveland is softening down the stretch. Bengals tailback Cedric Benson had a big day against the Browns, which we will get to below. A season-ending injury to linebacker and defensive leader Scott Fujita hurts Cleveland. But the loss of one player is no excuse for continually getting pushed around.

3. Steelers' special teams: For the most part, the Steelers have improved their kick coverage. But old problems showed up last week in a loss to the New York Jets. Pittsburgh allowed returner Brad Smith to take the opening kick 97 yards for a touchdown, which set the tone for the rest of the game. New York receiver Jerricho Cotchery also averaged 16 yards per punt return. In a close game, these hidden yards mattered.

RISING

1. Ray Rice, Ravens running back: We've written about Rice's performance all week. So there's not much to add. He had 233 total yards and two touchdowns in a win over the New Orleans Saints. The Ravens made it a point to get Rice the ball on the ground and through the air. He should continue to play a major role in the offense as Baltimore makes its postseason run.

2. Cedric Benson, Bengals running back: The Ravens weren't the only team to go retro. Cincinnati also reverted back to its 2009 form by giving the Benson a heavy workload. He recorded a season-high 150 yards on 31 carries, which took Benson over the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season. The Bengals broke their 10-game losing streak by running the football. Expect Cincinnati to try to keep that momentum going with Benson this week against the San Diego Chargers.

3. Carlos Dunlap, Bengals defensive end: If Dunlap played for a better team, he would be getting more publicity for coming on late in the season. The rookie is hot, recording six sacks in the past four games. Dunlap entered the draft as a first-round talent but had questions about his consistency, which dropped him into the second round. The Bengals are pushing the right buttons with Dunlap, who has played hard in the past month.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Jake Delhomme, Cleveland Browns quarterback: People in Cleveland have been asking this question all week: Why is Delhomme still the starting quarterback? Delhomme has struggled mightily this season and had two more turnovers (one interception, one fumble) in an ugly loss to the Buffalo Bills. Seneca Wallace is healthy and played better this season. Rookie Colt McCoy (ankle) is getting healthier and may also be available this week. With Browns coach Eric Mangini coaching for his job down the stretch, he needs to play the quarterback that gives Cleveland the best chance to win. Based on performance, that quarterback is not Delhomme.

2. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback: Speaking of quarterbacks, the other Ohio quarterback isn't doing well, either. Palmer had his sixth multiple-interception game of the season in a 23-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two of his three picks were taken the other way for touchdowns. Palmer threw for 178 yards and had a 48.7 passer rating as his stock continues to plummet. Will the Bengals pay Palmer $11.5 million next season? It remains to be seen.

3. Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter: Baltimore was a Josh Wilson interception away from an ugly collapse against the Houston Texans. The Ravens blew a 21-point lead to Houston and needed overtime to close out the game. It's hard to pinpoint where the biggest problem is. The offense is stalling in the fourth quarter, which constantly puts the defense on the field. But the defense also looked tired against Houston and has to make more plays. The Ravens will make the playoffs. But if they want to make a deep run, they have to figure out how to put opponents away in the fourth quarter.

RISING

1. Steelers' defense: Pittsburgh is ranked No. 4 in total defense. But over the past month, no team is more dominant on that side of the football. The Steelers are allowing an average of just nine points per game over their past four and they are undefeated in that span. Safety Troy Polamalu has entered the NFL MVP conversation with a series of big plays in recent weeks. He combined with Pro Bowl linebacker LaMarr Woodley to score Pittsburgh's only touchdowns against Cincinnati. With the NFL shifting away from punishing hits this year, it's harder to play suffocating defense. But the Steelers appear to be finding their groove in time for the playoffs.

2. Derrick Mason, Ravens receiver: Mason wasn't shy about ripping Baltimore's offense last week, calling it the "Bad News Bears." But Mason did something about it by going out and catching two big touchdowns in Baltimore's win over Houston. Mason had six receptions for 78 yards. Baltimore's offense still has things to work on. But two touchdown catches for Mason is good progress.

3. Hines Ward, Steelers receiver: The 13-year veteran quietly had one of his best games of the year against the Bengals. Ward had a season-high eight receptions for 115 yards, which helped set up three field goals for the Steelers. Pittsburgh struggled to get into the end zone. So Ward didn't get a lot of credit for his solid performance. But the veteran proved that he still has it.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Pat Sims, Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman: With the New Orleans Saints down three points late in the fourth quarter, no one in Paul Brown Stadium believed they would go for it on fourth down with the exception of one person: Sims. Cincinnati's defensive lineman jumped offside and gave the Saints a new set of downs to eventually score the game-winning touchdown. Kudos to Sims for owning up to his mistake after the game. But the play still joins a long list of mental errors the Bengals have made this season.

2. Bengals' defense: What happened to this group? Cincinnati's defense was ranked No. 4 in the NFL during last year's playoff run but dropped to No. 22 this season. The Bengals are allowing 26.8 points per game and gave up another 34 points in the loss to New Orleans. Lack of a pass-rush is a huge issue, but overall everyone on Cincinnati's defense is struggling this year.

3. Baltimore Ravens' offense: It's Week 14, and I'm still waiting for this offense to develop more consistency. Some weeks the Ravens are scoring 37 points, while other weeks they could barely muster 10 points. On paper this group should be closer to the team that's capable of scoring 30 points a game. The talent is there at wide receiver, running back and tight end, which is part of the reason frustration is mounting in Baltimore. Veteran receiver Derrick Mason believes the offense should be more productive this late in the season, and we agree.

RISING

1. Terrell Suggs, Ravens defensive end/linebacker: It's been a great bounce-back season for Suggs, who already doubled his sack total (nine) from a year ago. But Suggs had his best game of the season in a big spot during Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had five tackles, 1.5 sacks and five additional hits on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Suggs has 5.5 sacks in his past five games.

2. Troy Polamalu, Steelers safety: When a big play needs to be made, Polamalu is always ready for the key moment. Polamalu saved the Steelers for the second consecutive week with a game-changing sack and fumble of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco that led to Pittsburgh's go-ahead touchdown. Polamalu also had a crucial interception two weeks ago that helped force overtime in a win over the Buffalo Bills. Plenty of players can make plays, but few can close games defensively like Polamalu.

3. Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns cornerback: Cleveland's first-round pick is coming into his own late in the season. Haden recorded an interception in his fourth consecutive game in the Browns' win over the Miami Dolphins. Haden also had six tackles and four pass defensed. He leads the Browns this year with five interceptions and recently worked his way into the starting lineup.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. The Cincinnati Bengals' defense: I'm still shaking my head at how Cincinnati gave up 35 unanswered points in a loss at home to the lowly Buffalo Bills (2-8). This is a new low for the Bengals (2-8). Cincinnati suffered multiple injuries on defense, but that's no excuse to allow journeyman career backup Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw four touchdowns. With virtually no pass rush and an ailing secondary, it could be a long six games for this group.

2. Brian Daboll, Browns offensive coordinator: Cleveland's coaching staff has had problems making in-game adjustments all season, and it's a primary reason this team is 3-7. In a 24-20 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the running game clearly wasn't working but Daboll continued to kill drives and scoring opportunities by running up the middle for very little gain. Cleveland's defense forced six turnovers, but the Browns were only able to score one offensive touchdown. With offensive guru Mike Holmgren serving as team president, Daboll is certainly on the hot seat down the stretch.

3. Browns offensive line: The Browns also sputtered because their offensive line had its worst game of the season against Jacksonville. Both the run and pass blocking were subpar, as Cleveland allowed six quarterback sacks and couldn't get tailback Peyton Hillis (21 carries, 48 yards) jump-started. Defenses are now gearing up to stuff Hillis on the ground and bringing pressure to rookie quarterback Colt McCoy in the passing game. Cleveland has to be more prepared for this.

RISING

1. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker: Harrison was all over the field in last week's 35-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. He recorded five tackles, two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble on Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell. Harrison continues to play hard as he tries to tailor his game to fit what the league wants out of defensive players. Harrison also was this week's High Energy Player for posting his best all-around game of the season.

2. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens linebacker: After a shaky performance two weeks ago against the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore's defense got its swagger back against the Carolina Panthers with a big assist from Lewis. The defensive leader had a team-high 10 tackles and a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown that helped put the game away in the fourth quarter. Baltimore is at its best when the defense is active and creating havoc. Both Lewis and safety Dawan Landry scored touchdowns against the Panthers.

3. Abram Elam, Browns safety: Elam had, by far, his best game as a member of the Browns. He tied for the team lead with six tackles and also had an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. Elam's score was a heads-up play, where he stripped Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew in the pile and took it to the house for a touchdown. It was the second defensive touchdown of Elam's career. The Browns could use more big games like this from their veteran safety.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. William Gay, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback: When New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady needed a big play, he often looked in the direction of Gay. The nickel cornerback was picked apart in New England's 39-26 victory. Rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski beat Gay three times for touchdown catches of 9, 19 and 25 yards. That's a lot of big plays allowed to a backup. The Steelers gave up a season-high 39 points, and 21 points were on plays against Gay.

2. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback: Palmer continued his streak of being unable to put together two good games in a row. He threw three interceptions in last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and one was returned for a touchdown. This was Palmer's third multi-interception game this season. He only had three in 16 games last year.

3. Eric Wright, Cleveland Browns cornerback: It was not a good Week 10 for AFC North cornerbacks. Wright was beat by New York Jets receiver Santonio Holmes in overtime on a routine slant play that turned into a 37-yard, game-winning touchdown in overtime. Wright was beat inside, but his lack of effort to make the tackle allowed Holmes to turn a short gain into a huge gain. Wright isn't physical but he's known for being decent in coverage. He was neither on that play.

RISING

1. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens defensive end/linebacker: People in Baltimore have been waiting for Suggs to have a dominant game, and it came in a big spot last week against the first-place Atlanta Falcons. Suggs put on a vintage performance with two sacks, four tackles and four additional hits on the quarterback. He was a disruptive force in Atlanta's backfield. Suggs posted his first multi-sack game of the season. The Ravens need help with their pass rush and hope this is the start of Suggs getting hot down the stretch.

2. Mike Wallace, Steelers receiver: Wallace's stock was never down, because he's on pace for career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns. But Wallace had his most productive game as a Steeler in a loss to New England. With No. 1 receiver Hines Ward knocked out of the game with a concussion, Wallace stepped up and caught eight passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. He is increasingly becoming a favorite target of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

3. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals receiver: Coming off a week where Ochocinco lost his cool and was briefly benched in front of a national audience on "Monday Night Football," Cincinnati's receiver bounced back against Indianapolis. Ochocinco looked energized and involved, catching seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. But the stats didn't tell the complete story. Several catches were very acrobatic and a reminder of how good Ochocinco can be when he's focused. Ochocinco also showed toughness by playing through a shoulder injury in the second half.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Cincinnati Bengals: There's no reason to pinpoint one player, because this is a team-wide failing. Whether it's receivers running the wrong routes, the defense missing tackles, or the offensive linemen not knowing the snap count, the Bengals are making various mistakes during their three-game losing streak. This will be a huge challenge for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis to get this team back on track after a 2-4 start. In a must-win game, the Bengals will host the angry Miami Dolphins (3-3), who suffered a controversial loss last week to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2. Fabian Washington, Baltimore Ravens cornerback: Washington, who has played decent football this season, had his worst game as a Raven Sunday in an overtime win over the Buffalo Bills. Washington gave up three touchdowns and was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of backup Josh Wilson. Cornerback is one of the league's toughest positions, so every player has days like this. But Washington has to prove last week's game was a fluke if he wants to keep his job.

3. Ravens' pass rush: Washington had a bad game, but the front seven on defense didn't help. It's concerning that Baltimore's pass rush couldn't get through against the worst team in the NFL. Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw the ball 43 times and was only sacked once. Lack of pressure is one reason Fitzpatrick was able to torch Baltimore's secondary for 374 passing yards and four touchdowns. Pass rush has been an issue in Baltimore for the past couple of seasons. I thought this year the Ravens would be more consistent, but that hasn't been the case.

RISING

1. David Bowens, Cleveland Browns linebacker: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees doesn't throw many interceptions, but to throw two pick-sixes to the same player is a real rarity. Bowens, who received little playing time this season, intercepted Brees twice and scored touchdowns of 30 and 64 yards in Cleveland's upset win over New Orleans. Bowens also was awarded the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

2. Carson Palmer, Bengals quarterback: Despite the Bengals getting off to a slow start, Palmer had the type of game many expect from the $100-million quarterback. He threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Palmer seems more at home in the no-huddle offense, which was used nearly the entire game against Atlanta. Palmer has been part of the problem at different points this season, but that certainly wasn't the case last Sunday. The Bengals' offense will continue to score points if Palmer plays at this level.

3. Ray Lewis, Ravens linebacker: Baltimore gave up a lot of points to Buffalo. But Lewis was all over the field, recording 15 tackles and a sack. The future Hall of Famer also got a crucial strip in overtime that set up Baltimore's game-winning field goal. Lewis and the Ravens are 5-2 but have a lot to correct during their bye week. Baltimore will play Miami on Nov. 7.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line: It may not matter what Cincinnati's offensive identity is if the offensive line cannot block. The Bengals were beat up in the trenches during a loss to the previously winless Cleveland Browns (1-3). Cincinnati allowed four sacks, seven additional quarterback hits and ran for 3.7 yards per carry. Last year it was very good in the run game, but even that's been lagging early in the season.

2. Browns' secondary: Cleveland's front seven has played well, but its secondary is leaving much to be desired. The Browns were torched via the pass for the second straight game. In Week 3 Baltimore Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin caught three touchdowns. Last weekend Terrell Owens, who is on our "rising" list, got over 200 yards receiving. The Browns have a lot of young players in their secondary and teams will continue attacking them through the air until they patch up these holes.

3. Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh Steelers kicker: We have become accustomed to Reed making tough field goals in Heinz Field. But Reed had a rare off day in his home stadium, missing his two field goal attempts -- of 49 and 45 yards -- in a 17-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Heinz Field is one of the toughest stadiums to kick in, and Reed usually makes it look routine. But last week he looked as confused as most visiting kickers.

RISING

1. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers quarterback: Coming off a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, Roethlisberger's stock went from non-existent to soaring as he takes over one of the league's top teams. During Monday's news conference, Roethlisberger was genuinely happy to be back. He says he learned how much he misses football and can't wait to play again. Roethlisberger will have to shake the rust, but with the bye he has until Oct. 17 until he takes the field against Cleveland.

2. Terrell Owens, Bengals receiver: As we mentioned earlier, Owens exploded against the Browns for 10 catches, 222 yards and a touchdown. The Browns made a concerted effort to double Pro Bowl receiver Chad Ochocinco, which allowed T.O. to exploit one-on-one coverage against Cleveland's cornerbacks. Owens, 36, proved he still has it. His longest catch was a 78-yard touchdown over Cleveland defensive back Sheldon Brown.

3. Haloti Ngata, Ravens defensive tackle: Despite making his first Pro Bowl last year, Ngata is still under the radar when you mention the NFL's best defensive players. But Ngata had the type of game against the Steelers that should get him more publicity. Ngata was very disruptive, recording 11 tackles, a sack and two tackles for losses. His presence helped keep to Steelers to 3.1 yards per rush.

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FALLING

1. Eric Wright, Cleveland Browns cornerback: Wright had the worst game of his career in last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Given the responsibility of shutting down former Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin, Wright was not up to the task. All three of Boldin's touchdowns were scored on Wright, who usually is Cleveland's best cover corner. Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wright would not lose his starting job -- and he shouldn't. Every player has a bad game, and Wright has been solid in coverage throughout his career in Cleveland.

2. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback: What is going on with Cincinnati's passing game? Is it the quarterback, the receivers or the offensive line? Although everyone shares a portion of the blame, the quarterback naturally gets most of the glory and criticism. Palmer has not been accurate and his numbers are trending downward with every game. Against the winless Carolina Panthers, Palmer completed 19 of 37 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His passer rating in three games this season has gone from to 92.5 to 60.1 to 53.3.

3. Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns receiver: Cleveland's No. 1 receiver has only three catches in three games, including last week when he was shut out against Baltimore. Massaquoi, a former second-round pick, said this offseason that he wants to prove he can lead Cleveland's passing game. But he hasn't lived up to that billing so far. Quarterback changes certainly have something to do with Massaquoi's slow start, but other receivers, such as Josh Cribbs, have found ways to be productive.

RISING

1. Anquan Boldin, Ravens receiver: Last week's performance is the reason Baltimore gave up two draft picks for Boldin. He lit up the Browns with eight catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Boldin has been far and away Baltimore's best receiver this season, and he has a knack for making the big plays. Boldin also helped quarterback Joe Flacco get back on track after a slow start.

2. Peyton Hillis, Browns tailback: The Browns needed someone to jumpstart their offense, and Hillis added a nice boost. He rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown against a quality defense in Baltimore. With Jerome Harrison not producing early, Hillis has now earned the starting tailback role in Cleveland. He will try to run over another good defense this week against Cincinnati.

3. Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback: Batch found the fountain of youth and threw for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The highlight of his day was two 40-plus yard bombs to receiver Mike Wallace for touchdowns. Batch could have padded his numbers even more, but the Steelers played conservatively in the second half in order to run out the clock. Pittsburgh threw only three times after intermission. Batch will get his second consecutive start Sunday against Baltimore.

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FALLING

1. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens quarterback: Flacco had the worst game of his career and it came at a bad time during a 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. It's inexcusable for any quarterback to throw four interceptions, especially in a close game when every possession counts. Several Bengals defenders told me afterward that Flacco was frustrated and pressing, which is not the norm for "Joe Cool." But every quarterback has bad games. It will be key for Flacco to bounce back this week in another AFC North matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

2. Brian Daboll, Browns offensive coordinator: Browns president Mike Holmgren -- an offensive guru -- has to be getting headaches watching Cleveland's offense this season. In a 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Browns couldn't get anything going consistently and were shut out in the second half for the second consecutive week. Daboll fails to make the proper halftime adjustments, and the play calling often is predictable and poorly executed. Daboll's struggles are not limited to just the past two weeks. The Browns were ranked last in total offense in 2009.

3. Jerome Harrison, Browns running back: This is a big year for Cleveland tailback Jerome Harrison to prove he can be a full-time starter in the NFL. But he's off to a slow start. Harrison rushed for just 33 yards on 16 carries (2.1 yard average) against Kansas City. He also lost a fumble, which has been an issue for Harrison dating to the preseason. Browns coach Eric Mangini said this week that he will not tolerate bad football and players will be subject to the bench for continued mistakes. Mangini didn't mention players by name, but Harrison could be a candidate if he keeps putting the ball on the ground.

RISING

1. Bengals' defense: It's amazing the difference one week can make. Cincinnati's defense looked tentative and confused in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. But last week the Bengals reverted back to their 2009 form against the Ravens. Cincinnati left no big plays on the field and picked off Flacco four times. The team also kept defenders in Flacco's face the entire time, impacting his decision-making and accuracy. Now the Bengals need to keep up that defensive momentum Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

2. James Harrison, Steelers linebacker: There were at least a half-dozen Pittsburgh defenders with great performances last week against the Tennessee Titans. But Harrison made the most big plays. He recorded 11 tackles, two sacks and recovered a fumble. Harrison also did a solid job of setting the edge of Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense to contain Pro Bowl tailback Chris Johnson, who rushed for just 34 yards on 16 carries.

3. Mike Nugent, Bengals kicker: Cincinnati could not score an offensive touchdown, but its kicker went 5-for-5 in field goals to preserve a big division win over Baltimore. Nugent, who beat out Dave Rayner in the preseason to win Cincinnati's kicking job, made field goals of 36, 30, 46, 38 and 25 yards. He was awarded AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.