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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) talk on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) talk on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Steelers

2016 Record: 11-5, First Place in the AFC North

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is coming back for another season, and that’s music to Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans ears.

And he’ll have wide receiver Antonio Brown back at his disposal — even more music, especially when paired with running back Le’Veon Bell returning on a franchise tag.

Pittsburgh amassed its 11-5 record last year thanks entirely to its offense. The defense was downright bad and has been for some time now.

How much of that will change this season? Adding EDGE T.J. Watt was the perfect move for the Steelers. He’ll immediately provide the dynamic pass-rushing threat Pittsburgh has lacked since the days of James Harrison in his prime.

Harrison is back though, and he’ll get some much-needed help.

Cornerback Cameron Sutton was a nice pickup in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. He may take some time to develop, but he should be able to make some noteworthy contributions in year one.

Strengths

Bell, Brown and Ben.

As long as this trio is working efficiently, the Steelers will remain favorites for any AFC North crown.

Pittsburgh’s offense is prolific enough to overtake even the best defenses in the league. And the Steelers already proved they can win the shootout matchups. That might not help much in the postseason though.

Weaknesses

The defense, especially within the secondary, proved to be a major problem for the Steelers over the course of the year.

Adding some pass-rush help up front should help here. But this is a unit in transition and will likely need a couple of years to truly transform into the kind of defense Pittsburgh is known for.

X-Factors

Roethlisberger’s health is a never-ending concern, and 2017 is no different. If he stays healthy, all should be well. At least on offense.

But one player to watch here is former USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. As teams clamp down on Brown, Smith-Schuster may wind up being the primary beneficiary of single-man coverage.

Having two prolific receivers is the last thing Pittsburgh’s opponents want to see on game day.