NFL: Predicting each division winner for 2018
By Chris Wilson
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are another team with a dynasty — albeit not Patriot-caliber — nearing its end, but that end is unlikely to come in 2018. The Steelers have yet to experience a losing season under the leadership of head coach Mike Tomlin, and they will have their “Killer B’s” — quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown — for at least one more season.
The Steelers didn’t make major changes to their personnel this offseason, and the only team in the AFC North that looks to take a major step forward — the Cleveland Browns — are merely aiming for NFL legitimacy, not a division title.
The Baltimore Ravens, who continue to deal with quarterback Joe Flacco‘s inflated contract, were relatively quiet this offseason — outside of a revamping of their receiving corps. If their newcomers can breathe life into an anemic passing game, Baltimore will be Pittsburgh’s main competition for division honors.
Many Cincinnati Bengals fans have been disappointed in the team’s offseason, particularly the failure to address a number of the team’s deficiencies — beginning with the return of head coach Marvin Lewis:
I would say "I don't know how you sell this to fans," but it doesn't even matter. No PR spin on Earth can keep this disenchanted fan base from a mass exodus.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) January 2, 2018
While the Steelers have certainly dominated the Bengals over the past four seasons — in what’s turned into a vicious rivalry — there’s nothing Cincinnati wants more than to dethrone the reigning AFC North champs.