The AFC North division could be tough in 2022.
All four teams in the division have quarterbacks with playoff experience.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, their quarterback has experience in the playoffs from his time in Chicago.
However, they can make the playoffs in 2022 with what they have now.
What three things can help the Steelers in 2022 make the NFL playoffs?
3. Mitch Trubisky
Since the departure of Ben Roethlisberger at the end of last season, the Steelers needed a quarterback.
Their roster only had Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins as quarterbacks.
Neither of those quarterbacks inspires confidence for a playoff run.
However, the Steelers would go to the free agency market to sign Trubisky.
He has two playoff appearances in his career.
He also has a winning record despite being on a lackluster Bears offensive unit.
I would take Mitch trubisky over Lamar Jackson 9/10. Longevity, throw accuracy and let’s not forget he took Matt Nagy’s offense to the playoffs!!! I’m not even a Steelers fan! O well all u ravens fans will switch back to the redskins in a few years anyway.
— Michael O’leary (@OlearysTheories) March 16, 2022
Even without big time players, he can get things done.
However, he needs to work on protecting the ball.
Some say his mistakes came from the lack of coaching he received in Chicago.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin changes that for Trubisky.
He now has the coaching that people say he needed in Chicago to become a great quarterback.
It can also help the Steelers sneak their way into the playoffs.
2. Browns And Ravens Are Overrated In The AFC North
Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson are all people talk about with the Ravens and Browns for 2022.
The fan base for those teams thinks their quarterbacks will take them to the playoffs.
Last season, Jackson missed five games because of an injury.
The Ravens offensive line was like Swiss cheese in 2021, giving up 57 sacks to rank second-worst in the NFL.
Without the proper time in the pocket, Jackson would suffer hard hits.
He may have the same problem in 2022 with Pittsburgh.
With the Browns and Watson, they have to worry about a possible suspension of the star quarterback.
If he was suspended, they would have to rely on backup Jacoby Brissett.
Watson will likely miss all of 2022 and half or all of 2023 season. The browns are back to the bottom of the division for the next two years 😳. Terrible backup quarterback too. Baker will see the playoffs before the browns will.
— Gary Koehler (@Garykkoehler) March 30, 2022
Brissett doesn’t give the Browns the chance to win like Watson would.
The Steelers can get help in the AFC North if those two teams lose their quarterbacks.
1. Steelers Can Sneak In With The Last Wild Card Spot
With three wild card teams in the AFC, the Steelers have another chance to sneak into the playoffs.
It was how the team made it to the NFL playoffs in 2021, through the last seeded wild card spot.
They might have a repeat in 2022 of this feat.
With an average quarterback with experience and a solid running game, their offense has no problems.
The Steelers defense is always tough every season, making games easier for the offense.
Playing games against the Steelers in Pittsburgh also gives them an edge in eight games in the NFL season.
The team always plays harder for the home crowd and their crowd noise disrupts offenses.
These things help the Steelers win just enough games to sneak into the 2022 NFL playoffs.
