National Football League

Steelers rated as second-least likely to repeat as division champs

Published May. 26, 2015 2:33 p.m. ET

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The Steelers squeaked out an AFC North title in 2014 despite a subpar defense and losses to the lowly Jets and Buccaneers.

Repeating will be no easy feat, but it's not necessarily the league's toughest schedule that leaves Pittsburgh vulnerable in 2015, according to NFL.com's Gil Brandt. Brandt lists the Steelers just behind the 7-8-1 Carolina Panthers as the least likely to earn a second straight division crown.

Brandt expects some regression from Ben Roethlisberger after the best statistical output of his career, and thinks the offense overall could struggle to match its 2014 pace, especially with Le'Veon Bell missing the first three games due to suspension.

I'm just not sure we can count on him hitting those high-water marks again. When you succeed like that, opponents tend to adjust, game-planning different tactics to stop you. I also worry about the looming absence of running back Le'Veon Bell, who is facing a three-game suspension to start the season. We saw how much the Steelers struggled in their playoff loss to the Ravens when Bell was out. Yes, Pittsburgh signed veteran back DeAngelo Williams, but he's 32, played in six games last year and has averaged just 4.1 yards per carry over the last three seasons.

It's curious that there is no mention of the Steelers' defensive troubles. The unit will see a good amount of fresh blood in the wake of the retirement of Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Brett Keisel. GM Kevin Colbert used six of his eight draft picks on the defensive side of the ball, not to mention that Keith Butler has stepped in for the departed Dick LeBeau.

If Butler can get the defense back to being a top 10 unit, the offense won't have to light up the scoreboard as much as last season.

Still, the intense competition in the division weighs heavily in Brandt's reasoning since the Ravens and Bengals also made the playoffs last season and figure to be in contention once again in 2015.

Finally, the Steelers face a daunting challenge in the very tough AFC North, as they're just one of three teams -- including the Ravens and Bengals -- who could conceivably win the division. At the end of the day, I like the Ravens' chances the best.

h/t: NFL.com