The 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers saw their Super Bowl dreams crushed in a defensive collapse at home last January. The 45-42 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars raised several questions about both the coaching staff and the personnel entering the offseason. Months later, the Steelers return a talented team, but did they fix the problems that held them back last season?
Here is a look at the 2018 Steelers, the new-look Cleveland Browns, and the rest of the AFC North:
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Head coach Marvin Lewis takes a lot of heat from fans for his failure to advance the Bengals deep into the playoffs. However, the truth is that Lewis has done more with less to even keep this team respectable. Many fans outside of Cincinnati don’t remember how bad the Bengals were prior to Marvin Lewis’s arrival. To this day, Bengals owner Mike Brown continues to undercut the team’s football operations department. If is unfair to put the Bengals’ inconsistencies on Lewis’s shoulders alone.
That said, Lewis’s time in Cincinnati is running short. While there is plenty of talent on the roster, the Bengals still lack depth and a true vision of who they are supposed to be. Quarterback Andy Dalton has weapons, but he still lacks the consistency needed to be a top-tier quarterback. The same can be said for many of the skill positions on the roster. The Bengals struggle to be consistent. This problem will bite Cincinnati again this year, especially with the Browns and Ravens both looking improved from last year.
Two Players to Watch: Dalton has spent his entire career staring down his doubters. However, a closer look at his numbers show a steady hand at the helm. Dalton has posted three straight seasons of 12 interceptions or less. He’s completed less than 60 percent of his passes only twice in his career.
Unfortunately, Dalton isn’t flashy, doesn’t make all the throws, and often fails to inspire his teammates. Given the team’s recent struggles, that needs to change this season if the Bengals will have any chance this season.
Part of Dalton’s problem is that he’s never had a reliable feature back to set the tone in the running back. Joe Mixon enters the season as the Bengals’ top running back. He rushed for 626 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season, and he is so highly thought of that fantasy owners have drafted him in 99% of ESPN fantasy leagues. If Mixon can emerge as a star, Dalton will finally have a running game to lean on.
Game to Watch: The Pittsburgh Steelers are the measuring stick in the AFC North and have been for over 20 years. Cincinnati will know how good this team is by its performance against the Steelers at home on October 14th.
Predicted Win Range: 4-to-8
3. Cleveland Browns
The Browns completed the second 0-16 season in NFL history in 2017, and team ownership responded by cleaning out the front office. Yet, the Browns still left head coach Hue Jackson in charge. Yes, the same Hue Jackson that made several game management and other tactical mistakes last year.
Nonetheless, the Browns managed to overhaul the roster and increase the talent level both offensively and defensively during the offseason. They found their caretaker quarterback in Tyrod Taylor and their quarterback of the future in Baker Mayfield. General manager John Dorsey also fortified the wide receiver, running back, and cornerback positions with playmakers. Overall, the depth is improved as well.
This version of the Browns still has its flaws, but there is finally hope in Cleveland. It comes down to coaching and fixing the gaps on the offensive line and in the defensive front seven. If the Browns do this right, they could be a playoff team in the near future.
Two Players to Watch: Sometimes it’s not about the players on the field, but the men who are coaching them. This is a make or break year for Jackson. His 1-31 mark would have earned him walking papers from almost every other franchise. Jackson has already proven himself as an offensive coordinator, but his continued failures as a head coach are what he’s known for now. It’s time for Jackson to show that he is a legit NFL head coach.
Cleveland wisely traded for Tyrod Taylor to steady the ship after years of failure at the quarterback position. Mayfield is the future for the team, but Taylor can earn himself a future as a starter in the NFL by mentoring the rookie and providing a consistent leader both on the field and in the locker room. Taylor isn’t perfect, but he’s capable of more than many fans give him credit for.
Game to Watch: There are plenty of similarities between the Browns and the New York Jets. Both teams have young franchise quarterbacks and several new faces on the roster. They are both looking to eventually surpass long-time Super Bowl contenders at the top of their division. The two teams face off with each other in front of national television audience on Thursday, September 20th in Cleveland. It will be a great opportunity to see which franchise is further along in its rebuild.
Predicted Win Range: 5-to-8
2. Baltimore Ravens
Mediocre. That’s what we’ve seen from the Baltimore Ravens since they last won the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. Several factors have played a role in that, and many of them surround inconsistent quarterback Joe Flacco. He’s never lived up to his contract, and the rest of the team has suffered for it.
Other issues are there as well. Aging veterans, injuries, and a lack of offensive playmakers have hurt the team. Nonetheless, the Ravens still have enough talent on the roster to make a playoff run. The emergence of running back Alex Collins and the addition of wide receivers John Brown and Michael Crabtree will help on offense.
Baltimore’s defense remains talented. The ageless Terrell Suggs leads the unit with fellow veterans Eric Weddle and Brandon Carr. This is a solid group that plays tough, fundamental football. Baltimore’s defense alone is good enough for a couple of victories.
Two Players to Watch: John Brown flashed all kinds of potential during his first couple of years in Arizona. However, injuries got in the way, and now he’s attempting to restart his career in Baltimore. Brown will never be the centerpiece of an offense, but he can be a playmaker in the right offense. The question is whether or not the Ravens will use him properly.
Flacco’s inability to be a consistent performer has held back the Ravens, and now the team is looking towards the future with former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson on the roster. It’s now or never for Flacco in Baltimore.
Game to Watch: It's rivalry time for the Ravens when they travel to Pittsburgh for their first real test of the season on September 30th. A win there would put Baltimore in the driver's seat to challenge the Steelers for the division title.
Predicted Win Range: 8-to-10
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
One look at the Steelers’ roster will convince anyone that Pittsburgh features one of the most talented teams in the league. Yet, something hasn’t been right with this team for a long time. The Steelers score a ton of points, but they seem to wilt under pressure in big game situations. Their losses to New England and Jacksonville last season are strong evidence of that.
Their defense is a key part of their shortcomings. It’s hard to believe that the Steelers have gone six years without giving up less than 300 points in a season. That’s not to say that the Steelers defense wasn’t solid. Inconsistent is probably a better word. They have often struggled in the middle of the defense, which was made worse with linebacker Ryan Shazier’s injury last season.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has taken plenty of criticism for his team’s shortcomings, but the truth is that all will be forgotten if the Steelers can win the Super Bowl this year. He has the roster to make it happen, but time will tell if the Steelers have enough in them to finally get past the Patriots.
Two Players to Watch: James Conner takes over at starting running back for the still holding out Le’Veon Bell. The former Pitt standout doesn’t need to be spectacular. However, he will need to be a consistent performer if the Steelers offense is going to be successful with Bell out. He was excellent in the season opener.
The 36-year-old Ben Roethlisberger expressed doubts that he didn’t have it anymore following a five interception performance last season. While he eventually rebounded for a strong season, the Steelers felt that it was time to draft his successor, Mason Rudolph. Roethlisberger isn’t stupid. His time leading the Steelers is short. It will be interesting to see how he leads this team in 2018.
Game to Watch: The NFC South contender Atlanta Falcons will visit Heinz Field on October 7th in a possible Super Bowl preview. Considering how strong the NFC is this season, this game will be a strong gauge for the Steelers to see how good they are. A loss at home could be an ominous sign for the Steelers and the AFC for the postseason.
Predicted Win Range: 10-to-14
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