Baker Mayfield is the best quarterback in the AFC North
By Sam Penix
![Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 23](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F15317716-850x560-2f5362018c395c3b8e6a53b2e4eb15cfb9c836d4f7a369172b4c4c000468da87.jpg "Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 23")
3. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
The stats (nearly 3,300 yards, 29 touchdowns, nine interceptions) look good, but it’s clear from watching him that Roethlisberger is nearing the end of his NFL career. He gets rid of the ball quicker than any other passer in the league, and has no choice but to do that now, as his offensive line has regressed in recent weeks.
He’s got a nice stable of pass-catchers (when they actually catch the ball), but Roethlisberger has yet to show that he can still put the team on his back and win a game through the air against a quality opponent. The Steelers started out the season 11-0 but have looked terrible over the past three weeks, and Roethlisberger has been part of that.
He’s not bad, but he’s definitely not the elite QB he was in years past, and when the Steelers defense isn’t dominant, Roethlisberger hasn’t been enough to beat the better teams. That’s why, ins spite of their excellent record, Pittsburgh isn’t seen as a legitimate threat to the Kansas City Chiefs right now. Week 17 is going to be meaningful for both the Steelers and the Browns, and that should be a great game, and perhaps the one that shows the NFL world that Mayfield has more than overtaken his Pittsburgh counterpart.