The oddsmakers have not been very kind to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2023 offseason. The team is not being taken seriously in what is an extremely talented and competitive AFC North division. Under Head Coach, Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh has won seven division titles since 2007, which is the most out of the four teams. The main reason a lot of media and NFL fans are not high on the Steelers is because of the lack of experience at the quarterback position. Starter, Kenny Pickett is entering his second season and will need to make a big jump if the team wants a chance at making a deep playoff run.
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) warms up on the field at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA prior to his first ever NFL action in the 2022 preseason. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
On Wednesday's PM Team w/Poni & Mueller on 93.7 The Fan, the two cohosts, Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller welcomed on recurring guest, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The trio began comparing the current state of the New England Patriots to that of the Steelers. Florio quickly pointed out that the Patriots have the second longest streak in the league of not finishing in last place in their respective decision. Pittsburgh is at the top of that food chain, though.
"The Steelers hold the record with 34 years. 1988, The last time the Steelers finished in last place in their division," Florio said.
Florio continued and although he is often a strong supporter of Tomlin and the franchise when he joins the show, he's buying into the fact that the long 34-year streak may be snapped in 2023.
"That's an amazing run. Don't you guys think they're going to have their work cut out for them to not finish in last place this year?"
It can be argued that the AFC North will be the toughest division in all of football in 2023 and whichever team can perform the best against the other three will certainly have a leg up in the race for the crown.
Steelers defensive lineman, Cameron Heyward (left) and Head Coach, Mike Tomlin (right) walk on the field at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA after a 2022 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Florio did make sure to note that the Cleveland Browns, an organization that has never won the AFC North, is an interesting team because of their own quarterback situation.
"The Browns are a big wild card. A huge wild card because we don't know what Deshaun Watson's going to be and what that team is going to depend largely on what Deshaun Watson is."
He was extremely blunt when it came to the other two teams. According to Florio, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are simply more talented than the Steelers and will likely finish ahead of Tomlin's group in the standings.
"The Ravens are better. The Bengals are better. Of all the years since 1988, this is the one. They got their work cut out for them. Tomlin's going to earn his money to keep that team out of the basement."
It's a fair thing to say based on the teams' rosters and the fact that they both finished ahead of the Steelers in 2022. With that said, Pittsburgh is 5-1 against Baltimore since the 2020 season.
Baltimore Ravens' Head Coach John Harbaugh (left) and Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin (right) stand on the playing surface at Heinz Field before a game in October 2019. | Photo Credit: AP Photo / Don Wright
Florio was asked why he has the Ravens over the Steelers at the moment and his answer was quite simple. He likes the overall makeup of the roster in Baltimore better than the one in Pittsburgh.
"I think the pieces on Baltimore are better."
Steelers Will Have Their Work Cut Out For Them In 2023
It's hard to doubt Tomlin and co. given the overall regular season success the team has had since 2007. It should not come as a surprise to anyone if Pittsburgh surprises in 2023 and has a successful, division-winning season. However, there are a lot of things standing in the way of that and it's not just going to be difficult to be at the top, but staying out of the basement could be even tougher if Pickett doesn't make a leap.
Where do you think the Steelers will finish in the AFC North in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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