Big-name quarterbacks could decide AFC NorthRalph N. Paulk | Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016
In what could be a competitive AFC North, all eyes will be on the quarterbacks.
The Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals again are heavy favorites to win the division. Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton have led their teams to the past three titles and have combined for 63 wins during that span.
The division is the only one with two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks: Roethlisberger and Baltimore's Joe Flacco. It's also a division in which two quarterbacks — Dalton and Cleveland's Robert Griffin III — are seeking redemption or affirmation.
Roethlisberger has put up impressive numbers during the past three seasons. Yet over the past six seasons, they have only a wild-card victory over Cincinnati, a team with postseason deficiencies, to show for it.
“I just keep doing what I do,” Roethlisberger said. “I'll keep being a leader and keep my focus on the here and now.”
The Steelers, Bengals and Ravens doled out tens of millions of dollars in an effort to maintain consistency at quarterback. Flacco and Roethlisberger received two of the bigger contract bonuses in NFL history: $40 million and $31 million, respectively. Dalton signed a $97 million deal two years ago. Meanwhile, Griffin, who has been plagued by injuries, signed a performance-based agreement with the Browns that includes only $3.25 million for this season.
Roethlisberger and Dalton are complemented by solid defenses. Flacco and Griffin, on the other hand, will have greater demands to carry their teams while their defenses work to plug holes.
At 34, Roethlisberger has a sense of urgency. He also will be orchestrating an offense without two of its primary weapons: running back Le'Veon Bell (suspended for three games) and receiver Martavis Bryant (season-long suspension).
“We've dealt with missing players before, whether it's through injuries, suspensions, whatever it is,” Roethlisberger said. “We're worried about going on the field and improving everybody that's out there.”
Roethlisberger has been vocal and demanding, particularly of two second-year players: receiver Sammie Coates and tight end Jesse James.
“It's something that I feel I need to do (and) want to do,” said Roethlisberger, who passed for 3,938 yards despite sitting out four games because of injury. “Coach (Mike Tomlin) can tell them what they're supposed to do, but if I tell them what I want them to do, it's a big difference, so it's been a good session in that sense.”
The AFC North race could hinge on how well the quarterbacks' supporting casts perform, especially at receiver. The division has three of the best in the Steelers' Antonio Brown, the Bengals' A.J. Green and the Ravens' Steve Smith Sr.
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