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Breaking down the Cleveland Browns and the AFC North

By Greg Newland

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Seattle Seahawks on September 15, 2019, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers

While the Bengals have a big question mark in Joe Burrow, the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely the biggest question in the division. After surgery last year, is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger healthy enough to play a full season? If he is, look for the Steelers to be very competitive. The Steelers will have a strong run game and just enough weapons to put up points on offense.

There is no doubt the strength of the Steelers next season will be the defense. After trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick last season the unit meshed and created a ton of turnovers to carry a struggling offense. With Cameron Heyward stuffing the middle and T.J. Watt rushing the quarterback, no team will be excited to go play in the steel city.

The Steelers didn’t make any splashy moves this offseason but return a competitive roster. Eric Ebron was likely the biggest addition at tight end and could be a major weapon for Roethlisberger after a couple of strong seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

While the Steelers defense is full of playmakers, the offense will still be reliant on the quarterback position. With Mason Rudolph still as the backup, there is no doubt the team will struggle should something happen to Roethlisberger again. Roethlisberger will be 38 this season and has a history of playing through injuries.  At this point in his career, it would not be shocking to see him miss a few games next season.

Even if Roethlisberger missed one of the Browns’ games, it will still be extremely competitive. The rivalry was renewed more than ever last season with the incident between Rudolph and Myles Garrett that all fans remember vividly.

The culture and coaching in Pittsburgh will help them win at least eight games in 2020 no matter what, but the Steelers are still pretenders to be Super Bowl contenders. If the Browns put it together as expected this season, look for the Steelers to finish third in the AFC North in 2020.

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