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AFC North: Biggest question for each team in 2021

By Russell S. Baxter

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 27: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field on December 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 27: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field on December 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Ravens (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Mike Tomlin’s team quickly adapt to a new offensive system?

Combine a lack of power football the past three seasons and a deteriorating offensive line and it’s no wonder that Mike Tomlin’s team got off to decent starts only the fade down the stretch each of the last three years.

The Steelers promoted quarterbacks coach Matt Canada to offensive coordinator this offseason. Tomlin’s club has seemingly forgotten how to run the football. The team has a new-look front and general manager Kevin Colbert used the team’s first-round pick on University of Alabama running back Najee Harris.

Veteran Ben Roethlisberger has thrown the football a lot the past three seasons. That figures to change a bit this year but how quickly will he and the team gel on this side of the football?

Baltimore Ravens: Does Don Martindale’s unit have enough pass rush to make a difference?

There are just four teams in the league that have currently made at least three consecutive trips to the playoffs. The list is led by the Kansas City Chiefs (6) and New Orleans Saints (4). That’s followed by the Seattle Seahawks and John Harbaugh’s Ravens — both of those clubs reaching the postseason each year since 2018.

The club has led the league in rushing two consecutive years. The franchise fortified its offensive line this offseason and the addition of veteran Sammy Watkins should aid quarterback Lamar Jackson. But the Baltimore defense took a couple more hits in the free-agent departures of outside linebacker Matt Judon (6) and defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue (3) and Jihad Ward (3), who combined for 12 of the Ravens’ 39 sacks this past season?

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