Cheerio, mate; it could be worse

You know it's a rough year in the AFC North when a 3-3 record is considered sitting pretty.

Bengals: When will Marvin Lewis be the next former Ravens coach to lose his job? Yesterday it was 49ers coach Mike Nolan. Lewis and the Bungles are winless with seven losses. They also lost rookie weak-inside starting linebacker Keith Rivers for the season. Broken jaw. Was anyone surprised that it was Hines Ward who delivered the hit? Yeah, me neither. I spent some time last spring with Rivers at USC's Pro Day. He's a good dude. I feel bad for him. Get well soon, Keith.

Browns: There is nothing I can write that compares to this "Airing of the Grievances," a la Seinfeld. Thanks to Scott Sargent for the link.

Steelers: Sure, you're in first place, but your rookie running back and first-round draft pick is out for the season. Rashard Mendenhall, D-O-N-E. The man above him on the depth chart, Fast Willie Parker, is not 100% either. And the team's upcoming stretch of four games is no cakewalk: Giants, Skins, Colts and Chargers. Fortunately for Steel City, only one of those games is on the road (Washington).