Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Will Win the AFC North and a 1st Round Bye

Oct 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) smiles while on the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger

The Steelers aren’t the same team with Roethlisberger out, but they were good enough to beat the Cardinals without him at home and the Chargers in San Diego. His return, which should be against the Bengals at the earliest, will be a major boost for the team. The Steelers play the Bengals twice, the Broncos, Colts, Seahawks, Browns and Raiders over the next seven weeks. This stretch won’t be easy and it will most likely decide whether the Steelers make the playoffs or end their season early and talk about the “What ifs.”

However, the way this team has played over the first six weeks of the season shows that they’re more than capable of  just making the playoffs. In fact, this team has shown they can not only win the AFC North but they have the talent to still earn a first round bye. It would be tough for any team to come to Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers, just ask the Cardinals. The Steelers as they stand right now are a wild card team without Big Ben, but when he returns this is a team that should be taken seriously as a Super Bowl contender.

They are two weeks away from a big match up against the Bengals and that is the game they will put the rest of the NFL on notice if this past game against the Cardinals didn’t already do it.

Next: Bengals and Broncos Are Not What They Seem