Fansided

NFL 2015: Team-by-team grades

By Matt Verderame

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after his team scores a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after his team scores a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Steelers

Grade: A

What went right: The offense has become one of the most explosive in recent memory. Despite losing Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell for huge portions of the year, Pittsburgh has given us an aerial assault for the ages. When Roethlisberger is hitting the trio of Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant down the field, the Steelers are one of the most entertaining teams in the game.

What went wrong: The injuries have been threatening to derail the season. Roethlisberger missed over a month when he was injured with a sprained knee in Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams. The team has also been without center Maurkice Pouncey and Bell, who tore knee ligaments in Pittsburgh’s first meeting with the Bengals. Still, the Steelers have fought through the problems and become a threat in the AFC.

Offseason expectations: The defense must be upgraded. Pittsburgh has done a nice job being able to mask some of the problems in the secondary, but the pass defense is terrible. In that same vein, James Harrison is one of the better pass rushers in the league but he is ancient. The Steelers have to be smart and make sure that the defense is shored up to give their great offense some support.

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