PITTSBURGH STEELERS

2006 record: 8-8

Outlook: Coach Mike Tomlin inherits a team that was on the rise at the end of 2006. He hasn't tinkered much, so the Steelers could return to Super Bowl form of 2005.

Best-case scenario: TE Heath Miller and WR Santonio Holmes continue to mature, and QB Ben Roethlisberger returns to the form of 2004 and '05.

Worst-case scenario: Center Jeff Hartings' retirement weakened the line; an injury to Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca could decimate it.

Parting shot: Cheerleaders would provide more sideline interest than mascot Steely McBeam.

2007 schedule

Sept. 9 at Cleveland, 11 a.m.

Sept. 16 Buffalo, 11 a.m.

Sept. 23 San Francisco, 11 a.m.

Sept. 30 at Arizona, 2:15 p.m.

Oct. 7 Seattle, 11 a.m.

Oct. 14 BYE

Oct. 21 at Denver, 6:15 p.m.

Oct. 28 at Cincinnati, 11 a.m.

Nov. 5 Baltimore, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 Cleveland, 11 a.m.

Nov. 18 at New York Jets, 11 a.m.

Nov. 26 Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 2 Cincinnati, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 9 at New England, 11 a.m.

Dec. 16 Jacksonville, 11 a.m.

Dec. 20 at St. Louis, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 30 at Baltimore, 11 a.m.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

2006 record: 8-8

Outlook: If the offense is firing on all cylinders, the Bengals will be tough to stop in the regular and postseason.

Best-case scenario: Coach Marvin Lewis proves that he's a defensive guru and lifts the unit to the point that it pulls its weight with the high-powered offense.

Worst-case scenario: QB Carson Palmer suffers a season-ending knee injury, neutralizing the Bengals' dangerous receivers and putting too much pressure on RB Rudi Johnson.

Parting shot: Let's hope that the suspension of WR Chris Henry has scared the Bengals straight.