Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly have clearer path to AFC North title

The Steelers, even with a shaky offense, suddenly don’t look like a bad choice to win the AFC North title. And it’s all because their opponents have issues with their quarterbacks.

Questions about Kenny Pickett seem mild in comparison to the Browns being forced to lean on rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson or the Bengals starting Jake Browning. Deshaun Watson is gone for the rest of the season, so it’ll be up to the defense to save the Browns. And Joe Burrow sprained his wrist either Thursday night or earlier this week. But since it’s his right wrist, he may still be out when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati for a Nov. 26 game at Paycor Stadium.

But it doesn’t stop there. The folks at Steelers Depot looked up the quarterbacks for the Steelers next five games. Have a look and then read on for more info.

Sure is looking like the next five QBs the Steelers will face will be:

Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Jake Browning
Kyler Murray
Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe
Gardner Minshew#Steelers #NFL

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) November 17, 2023

Kyler Murray, who played his first game of the fall last Sunday, likely will start when the Steelers face the Cardinals at home, Dec. 3. Murray dazzled in leading the Cardinals to a win over the Falcons. But maybe he’s still showing some rust two-plus weeks from now.

After the Cardinals, the Patriots are up next. There’s so much whispered speculation about coach Bill Belichick’s job status. And most of it’s due to the fact that the Patriot’s offense is so suspect. Mac Jones ranks 19th amongst NFL quarterbacks for passing yards. Plus, he’s thrown 10 interceptions. The only other QBs in double digit picks heading into the weekend are Josh Allen (11) and Jordan Love (10). Maybe Belichick will bench Jones, although there’s not a good QB option on the team. After all, Belichick only kept Jones on the active roster to open the season. He cut the other quarterbacks in a stratregic roster move. Still, he risked losing Bailey Zappe when he placed him on waivers before placing him on the practice squad.

On Dec. 16, the Steelers take on the Colts, presumably with Gardner Minshew under center. Minshew earned the starting job when rookie Anthony Richardson needed season-ending shoulder surgery. The former Washington State star has started the last six games. The Colts are 3-3 during this stretch.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette came up with an interesting stat. This Sunday’s game against Thompson-Robinson will be the 18th time in the past 11 years the Steelers will face a backup quarterback. The Steelers are 14-3 against backups.

Headed into this weekend, the Ravens are in first place in the division with an 8-3 record. They beat the Bengals, Thursday night, to drop Cincinnati to 5-5. The Steelers and Browns are tied with 6-3 records.

Pittsburgh already owns one win over Cleveland. They beat the Browns, 26-22. But the Steelers also needed two touchdowns scored by their defense to edge Cleveland. The same Browns defense, which shut down Pittsburgh’s offense, still is intact.

And the Steelers meet the Bengals twice in the final weeks. They also play Dec. 23 at Acrisure Stadium. Maybe Burrow is back by then. Or maybe it’s still Browning. Then the Steelers finish with two road games — New Year’s Eve against the Seahawks, then against the Ravens, Jan. 7.

But here’s a nice scenario for the Pittsburgh offense. All nine opponents this season have outgained them. Maybe the trend stops with the backup quarterbacks.