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5 reasons the Steelers will win the AFC North

By Rucker Haringey

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts to the crowd prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts to the crowd prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers
Minkah, Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

3. Minkah Fitzpatrick can dominate on defense

The Steelers paid a heavy price to acquire Fitzpatrick last season but it was well worth it. He’s just the sort of safety who can make the big plays required to win games against quality opponents.

His ability to combine with Terrell Edmunds will be a huge advantage for Pittsburgh in 2020. Edmunds showed signs of greatness in his second season, but he didn’t get a full campaign to work with Fitzpatrick. Whatever work they can do with one another in the offseason should help the Steelers forge one of the best safety combinations in the NFL.

Fitzpatrick’s versatility makes him particularly valuable inside the AFC North. He needs to play close to the line of scrimmage to help blunt the Ravens’ rushing attack. Against pass-heavy teams like the Browns and Bengals, he can easily cover wide receivers on deep pass patterns. Having a safety without any real weakness is a huge boost for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh rode Troy Polamalu to greatness until he retired in 2014. Fitzpatrick has the ability to be just as good in Mike Tomlin’s defensive scheme. That gives the Steelers a great chance to win the division crown.

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