Can The Pittsburgh Steelers Win The AFC North?

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the season considered to be the worst team in their division.

After week 1, the only team in the AFC North to pick up a victory was the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns, Ravens, and Bengals all lost their week 1 matchups.

With Justin Fields under center, the Pittsburgh Steelers went on the road and defeated the Atlanta Falcons 18-10.

Below, we will take a look at each team in the AFC North and discuss whether the Pittsburgh Steelers can win the AFC North.

AFC North Teams

The AFC North is arguably the best division in the league.

Here is a quick breakdown of each team in the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens got better in the offseason by adding RB Derrick Henry.

For what the Ravens want to do offensively, adding Henry makes their offense even more dangerous.

Henry and Lamar Jackson are a dangerous combo.

Jackson is a star QB and when he is healthy, the Ravens are a top team in the league.

The Ravens always have a tough defense and this year will be no different.

The Ravens ranked fourth in points per game and first in points allowed per game last season.

Baltimore was one of just two teams in the league to rank inside the top five in both categories last year.

The Baltimore Ravens lost a close contest in week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, as long as Jackson is healthy, the Ravens are one of the best teams in the AFC and will overcome starting the season 0-1.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals entered their week 1 contest against the Patriots as heavy favorites to win the game.

Tee Higgins missed the contest and Ja’Marr Chase was held in check for his standards.

Chase sat out all offseason due to a contract dispute.

Cincinnati typically starts the season slow.

When star QB Joe Burrow is healthy, the Bengals are a Super Bowl favorite.

Two years ago, they lost in the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs.

Cincinnati made it to the Super Bowl three years ago but lost to the LA Rams.

The point is when Burrow is healthy, the Bengals are one of the best teams in the league.

Despite losing in week 1, the Bengals will bounce back strong with Burrow under center.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns gave QB DeShaun Watson a major contract and he has failed to live up to the deal he received.

In week 1, Watson looked horrendous in Cleveland’s week 1 loss against the Dallas Cowboys.

Cleveland’s offensive line got pushed around by Dallas’ pass rush attack.

Nick Chubb will miss at least the first four weeks of the season.

Overall, it was an awful performance in week 1 by the Browns and their offense.

It is hard to make an argument that Watson will perform better.

He was awful last year when healthy and has continued to look dreadful.

Watson’s offensive numbers last year were comparable to Zach Wilson and Bryce Young.

Watson has looked like a shell of himself with Cleveland.

Week 1 was a bad sign and not just a bad game for the Browns and their offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the only team in the division to win their week 1 contest.

Justin Fields got the start after Russell Wilson felt calf tightness three days before their week 1 contest.

Fields went 17/23, threw for 156 passing yards, zero passing TDs, zero interceptions, and ran for 57 rushing yards.

Pittsburgh was held to six field goals and no TDs but they managed to win 18-10.

It was not the best performance but certainly not a terrible performance.

There is significant room for improvement for Fields and the offense.

One thing was certainly clear and that was the play calling under Arthur Smith was significantly better than under Matt Canada.

With what the Steelers want to accomplish on offense, Justin Fields should be named the starter after a week 1 victory and the upside he provides over Wilson.

Pittsburgh’s defense was lights out.

TJ Watt remains one of, if not the best defensive player in the league.

While there is room for improvement offensively, the Pittsburgh Steelers should be encouraged by their week 1 performance.

Can The Pittsburgh Steelers Win The AFC North?

The only team in the AFC North to win in week 1 was the Pittsburgh Steelers.

They looked great on defense, mainly TJ Watt.

Offensively, the play calling was much better and Justin Fields put together a solid performance, considering it was not known if he would start till just before kickoff.

Wilson suffered calf tightness three days before their week 1 contest but he tried to be able to start.

It was determined he would sit and Fields would start.

The Steelers had an idea Fields would start on Friday but it was not confirmed till 90 minutes before kickoff.

The Ravens, Bengals, and Browns all lost in week 1.

While the Browns and Watson looked dreadful, it is hard to count out Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson after just one game.

Baltimore lost a road contest against the Kansas City Chiefs and was a toe away from possibly tying the game and going to overtime.

Cincinnati typically starts slow and they were hampered in week 1.

Tee Higgins missed week 1 and Chase was iffy if he would even suit up after not practicing all offseason with the team.

Whether it is Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, they are not near the talent that Burrow and Jackson are.

Despite an encouraging week 1 victory, the Pittsburgh Steelers will not win the AFC North.