Can the Steelers Win the AFC North This Year?

In one word: YES.  It won’t be easy, but it’s definitely doable!  What will it take?  One, it will take a strong running attack, especially the first 4-6 weeks depending on Ben’s suspension.  Can Mendenhall and Co. get it done on the ground? Yes, they can. Mendenhall is poised to be a premiere back in the league and if the offensive line can do their jobs he can get 1,500 yard easily. 

The Defense needs to be the Defense of 2005 and 2008. Is that doable? Maybe.  They are certainly still as strong unit. With Troy coming back, hopefully healthy for a full year they can be dominant. Woodley and Harrison need to charge the line with authority and Casey “Big Snack” Hampton needs to plug the middle, which he can.

The Special teams need to preform?  Is that doable?  Iffy.  We are very worried about this unit, they were atrocious last season in kick coverage. If they can please stop the long returns and TD returns that will allow the D to get back to form as well.

Ben Can’t be a distracion?  Is that doable?  Probably not if they are winning early without him and lose a few when he comes back.  The team needs to do well in his absence but it could hurt them when he returns. Even though there is no question that he is the QB of this team, you know the media will try to start a controversly if Leftwitch (probably starting) is 4-0 or 3-1 and then Ben goes 1-2 in his first 3 back.  The team needs to ignore any non football related questions and try to concentrate on the task at hand.

The Ravens need to struggle some.  Is that doable? Yes. The Ravens are a damn good team. I almost threw up in my mouth as I wrote that as it makes me sick, but unfortunately it’s true. Are they capable of struggling?  Sure.  The D is getting older and we aren’t sold on Flacco.  Ray Rice is a monster so he probably will not be stopped but this team does have some question marks. 

The Steelers need to win their games. If they can go 11-5 that should win the Division. The schedule could go anywhere from 7-9 to 12-4 we think, it depends on coaching, focus and preformance!

So can they do it? Yep.

Here we go Steelers, Here we go!