Adam Rank Boldly Predicts Steelers Will Be Swept By The Browns In 2023 And Finish Below .500 In Critical AFC North Matchups

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to return to postseason action in 2023 after failing to do so in 2022. With quarterback, Kenny Pickett poised to lead an offense that has received upgrades at a number of different positions in addition to a defense chalked full of superstars, the team may be in line to do so. If the Steelers do hope to make the playoffs in 2023, it will likely start with doing well in divisional matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. In 2022, the black and gold split the season series with each team. 

A 3-3 mark against AFC North foes is respectable, but it can certainly be improved upon, especially if the Steelers want to have any chance of winning the division crown in 2023. The Bengals, who have won the AFC North over the past two years, will serve as the favorites to do so once again in 2023. However, according to NFL Network Analyst, Adam Rank, it is not the Bengals who will sweep the Steelers this season, but rather the Browns. 

Will The Steelers Win More Games In 2023 Than 2022? 

Not only does Rank predict the Steelers will be losing both contests against the Browns, but he also has the Steelers finishing below .500 with a record of 2-4 in AFC North games. Overall, he has the team finishing with a mark of 9-8, the same as 2022. While this mark could certainly be worthy of securing a wildcard spot to make the postseason, it will almost certainly not be enough to de-throne the Bengals of their divisional title. 

Interestingly enough, Rank believes the Steelers will follow an eerily similar path in 2023. He has them winning on opening day against the San Francisco 49ers, as they did in 2022 against the Bengals, but then struggling after that, ultimately ending up with a record of 4-7 heading into Week 13. From there, he has the team going on a run, winning five of their final six games, which includes two divisional wins against the Bengals and Ravens. 

Did The Steelers Do Enough This Offseason To Improve Their Roster? 

The Steelers were uncharacteristically busy this offseason, making significant moves in both free agency as well as the 2023 NFL Draft. Perhaps the most noticeable upgrade comes at offensive line, where the team will likely deploy a different duo at left guard and left tackle. In comes Isaac Seumalo and Broderick Jones, out go Kevin Dotson and Dan Moore. Furthermore, the front office did well in re-vamping key defensive positions such as inside linebacker and cornerback. 

With all that being said, the Steelers are not the only AFC North team that has done well with bringing in new players. The Ravens' passing attack will be much better with the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, the Bengals were able to bring in Orlando Brown Jr. to help protect the blindside of Joe Burrow, and the Browns signed multiple players to their defense, including Juan Thornhill, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Dalvin Tomlinson. 

Thoughts, Steeler Nation?

Overall, Rank's assessment of the Steelers seems to be moderately fair, apart from getting beat twice by the Deshaun Watson-led Browns. All things considered, it may not be much of a stretch that the black and gold get off to a slow start in 2023, as the team will have a number of starting players who will be playing their first season in Pittsburgh. With training camp set to begin this week, it is only a matter of time before we get to see how exactly this year's team will compare to last year's. 

What do you make of Rank's prediction for the Steelers' record in 2023? Is there any chance they actually get swept by the Browns? Will the Steelers make the playoffs? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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