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AFC North: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 03: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots following the game at Gillette Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 03: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots following the game at Gillette Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

1. Steelers’ focus lies outside of the division

The Steelers, who went 13-3 last year, should be the favorite to win the AFC North this year. They’ll have to play six games against the Ravens, Browns, and Bengals, but their biggest nemesis right now is not one of their division mates. That would be the New England Patriots, who have bested them a number of times in recent years, including the 2016 AFC Championship Game and a Week 15 game at Heinz Field last year that ended with a controversial overturned game-winning touchdown.

Pittsburgh is a team with Super Bowl potential, but they’ll have to finally conquer the Patriots to get there. They are the team most likely on the mind of Steelers fans, rather than the other three AFC North teams.

The Steelers have one of the league’s elite quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger, already a two-time Super Bowl champ, and they have some really good offensive weapons. Running back Le’Veon Bell is one of the best in the league. Wide receiver Antonio Brown is also top notch, along with guys like JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie James Washington.

Their defense is an issue, as they lost Ryan Shazier last year to a serious back injury, and longtime Steeler James Harrison was released by the team at the tail end of last season before signing with the Patriots. Pittsburgh’s defensive issues showed in last year’s playoffs, as they allowed 45 points to a Blake Bortles-led offense at home, losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars 45-42.

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But even with those defensive woes, the Steelers are still the most complete team in the AFC North, and their main focus this season is to not just win the division, but to finally overcome the Pats. One of these days, perhaps their division rivalry with the Ravens can be reignited, but that time isn’t now.