Who will win each of the AFC divisions?

AFC North – Division Favorite

Pittsburgh Steelers

In 2013 the Steelers started their season 0-4, the worst start to a season for the Black and Gold in the Mike Tomlin era. Both the offense and defense were culpable; Ben Roethlisberger’s turnovers increased from the previous year, the running game failed to get going in a few games, and the defense wasn’t the same imposing Steelers defense that we’d been accustomed to seeing (and they failed to generate a single turnover in that opening four game losing stretch).

Despite finishing with a 6-2 record in the final eight games (including thrashing the AFC North Champion Bengals at home), Pittsburgh finished with an 8-8 record for the second consecutive year.

There are some changes, both good and bad for 2014. They lost two of their most productive wide receivers, but also jettisoned some respectable but aging talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Pittsburgh’s defense has grown faster and more dynamic with the addition of former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Mitchell, rookie defensive end Stephon Tuitt and first-round linebacker Ryan Shazier. Set to pair inside with Lawrence Timmons, Shazier has turned heads all summer and looms as a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The youth movement extends to the offense, where veteran receiver Antonio Brown was given help in the form of fourth-round wideout Martavis Bryant and rookie Dri Archer, with the latter set to see snaps as a pass-catching, kick-returning, ball-carrying X-factor. We also like the addition of LeGarrette Blount, a power runner who might play a bigger role than some expect alongside Le’Veon Bell.

General manager Kevin Colbert deserves credit: Pittsburgh had the look of a team slow-burning toward decline, but this year’s draft and free-agency haul restocked the Steelers at key positions and has them rolling into the season as the AFC North’s division favorites.