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AFC Playoff Picture Predictions: Dolphins get into the field

By Garner Hasler

Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) during the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) during the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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AFC Playoff Picture predictions
Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

AFC Playoff Picture No. 2 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers

Nine weeks through the season and the Pittsburgh Steelers stand alone as the only undefeated team. They are currently 8-0 and sit atop the AFC North a whole two games ahead of the Baltimore Ravens. Their defense has picked up right where they left off in 2019 and are currently only allowing 20.1 points per game, tied for fourth in the NFL.

The biggest difference between has been their performance on the offensive side of the ball, with them averaging 29.4 points per game compared to 18.1 in 2019.  This can mostly be attributed to the return of Ben Roethlisberger, and though he isn’t necessarily setting any records, he is lightyears better than Mason Rudolph was last year.

Even though the Steelers are clearly the real deal, it is hard to ignore the fact that they have played three members of the NFC East and have had some close calls against weak teams, most notably a narrow victory against the Cowboys in Week 9.

Their rest-of-season schedule does not get much harder, though they will be tested in games with the Colts, Bills, and Ravens. Even though they have the best record in the NFL up until this point, they have not shown the same offensive potential as the Chiefs, thus their placement as the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoff Picture.

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