The Pittsburgh Steelers boast an impressive record of 6 Super Bowl championships and 8 American Football Conference (AFC) titles. As one of the NFL's most illustrious and accomplished franchises, the team holds the distinction of having more Super Bowl triumphs than any other team in the league's history. And, on paper, the AFC North appeared poised to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL for the 2023 season.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6263-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
Steelers signal-caller, Kenny Pickett (#8) looks in the distance during a 2023 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: JSKO_PHOTO)
However, while it still holds the potential for that outcome, the initial 2 weeks of the season have exposed significant issues affecting all four teams: The Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens; not merely the Steelers. This is making the division race even more wide-open than initially anticipated.
The Bengals find themselves in a challenging situation, not only dropping consecutive games but also falling within the AFC North division. This places immense pressure on them, as they now have minimal room for error in their upcoming divisional matchups, which will have a critical impact on tiebreakers. To compound matters, quarterback Joe Burrow's calf injury remains a concern and was aggravated during their recent loss to Baltimore. If Burrow's health remains uncertain or if he has to battle a lingering injury, it could profoundly affect the Bengals' prospects, making a comeback a large ask.
The Browns possess a potentially formidable defense that can keep them competitive, but their offense faces a substantial uphill battle. The season-ending injury to running back Nick Chubb has fundamentally altered their offensive identity, as Chubb was not only their best player but also the linchpin around which their offense revolved. Without him, there is now substantial pressure on quarterback Deshaun Watson, who signed a $230 million contract, to carry the offensive load. However, Watson's performance in his Browns tenure thus far has not inspired confidence, and his struggles were a significant factor in their recent loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he doesn't improve, the Browns risk wasting their top-tier defense.
ESPN
But what of the Steeler's chances of winning the AFC North? Can they really turn things around? The Steelers find themselves in a similar predicament to the Browns, with a defense capable of making game-changing plays but an offense that appears stuck in a perpetual struggle for the second consecutive year. Issues with offensive line play persist, second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett has not shown notable improvement, and the offensive scheme implemented by head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Matt Canada has been lacking fluidity and rhythm.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are in the most favorable position, largely thanks to an offense that appears to be progressing under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. However, they continue to contend with a recurring pattern of injuries that disrupt their roster. Already missing several key starters on the offensive line and running back J.K. Dobbins, they also saw Odell Beckham Jr. exit Sunday's game due to injury. While the Ravens appear poised to lead the division, their annual struggle with injuries has historically hindered their progress.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants stands on the sidelines.
With competition like that, the Steelers really have their work cut out. The latest odds for the Pittsburgh Steelers to finish, in:
1st place is +450;
2nd place is +300;
3rd place is +240;
4th place is +175.
From the latest betting odds, it appears that the bookies aren't holding out much hope for the Steelers to win the division. Yet, in the footballing world, stranger things have happened, and with the amount of surprises already thrown into the mix, it could, as they say, be anyone's game. The best way to wager might just be to bet on the Steelers winning the division, because odds of +450 aren’t really positioning them as having no hope whatsoever. Because, as we've seen over nearly 5 decades, just about anything could happen between now and the end of the season.
Therefore, these types of odds won't be around forever. The Steelers, during Week 2, have just found themselves securing a 26-22 win against the Browns at Acrisure Stadium. This is positive news for the team and fans—the odds will be prone to quick changes and the chances of the Steelers securing the title at the end of the season will keep growing with more and more results like this.
