Sep 12, 2016 7 min read

With the increased emphasis on passing the ball over the last decade in the NFL, the importance of having a star quarterback is more important now than ever before. And it was always very important.

But the increased emphasis on quarterback play is why the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the favorites to win the AFC this season.

Since 2001, just four quarterbacks have led their teams to the Super Bowl in the AFC – Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco. And Flacco accomplished the feat just once.

That era is coming to an end as Manning retired after winning the Super Bowl in Denver last season, while Brady is now 39 and suspended for the first four games of the regular season in the fallout from Deflategate. Flacco is coming off a torn ACL injury, leaving Roethlisberger as the player from that exclusive group with the least amount of turnover or issues around him.

No other quarterback in the AFC has the weapons around him that Roethlisberger currently enjoys.

Because of that and the Steelers’ showing last season in the playoffs, when they gave the Broncos the toughest game of any team in the postseason, they are a trendy pick to win the Lamar Hunt Trophy given to the AFC champion at the end of this season.

The Steelers, however, are not a team without flaws.

Wide receiver Martavis Bryant is suspended for the entire season, taking a player with 15 touchdown receptions in 21 career games out of the lineup.

And All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell will miss the first three games of the season, also because of suspension.

Add to that the retirement of tight end Heath Miller and the fact the guy signed to help replace him, Ladarius Green will miss at least the first six weeks of the season while on the PUP list with an ankle injury.

Because of those issues, there is some question as to how the offense can again be a top-five unit again this season as it was in 2015.

The defense also has some holes, most notably in a secondary which ranked 30th in the league last season.

Gone are strong safety Will Allen and corners Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin. Rookies Artie Burns and Sean Davis were selected in the first two rounds of the draft to help replace them. That means the secondary will once again be a work in progress.

But there’s plenty to like about this team, especially if Roethlisberger stays healthy.

In Roethlisberger’s last 21 regular season starts, the Steelers have averaged 29.7 points per game, very close to the 30 point per game the team has stated as its goal.

And with Roethlisberger, receiver Antonio Brown and a number of other weapons, including Bell when he returns, the Steelers figure to have one of league’s most potent attacks again in 2016 if they keep Roethlisberger healthy.

After making all 16 starts in both 2013 and 2014, Roethlisberger missed five games last season because of injury. The Steelers went 3-2 in those games, though Roethlisberger came off the bench early in a win over Cleveland, taking the majority of snaps after Landry Jones suffered a sprained ankle.

Roethlisberger is the key. He’s a top-three quarterback in the NFL and a legitimate threat to win his first NFL MVP award this season. If plays all 16 games, the Steelers should be good enough to score with or outscore any team in the league.

Improvement by inside linebacker Ryan Shazier and defensive end Stephon Tuitt in their third seasons also is critical. If they become the Pro Bowl-type players the Steelers feel they can, a 12-4 season is within reach.

As for the other playoff teams in the AFC, look for New England to again win the AFC East, despite Brady’s suspension. In the AFC South, Houston again looks like the team to beat, while Oakland will be the surprising winner of the AFC West. Cincinnati and Kansas City will be the wildcard teams.

The Giants look like the top team in a watered down NFC East and should edge defending champion Washington, while Green Bay should reclaim its spot atop the NFC Central after losing that title to Minnesota last season.

Look for Seattle to knock off Arizona in the NFC West, giving us three new division champs in the NFC. No team in the NFC South looks ready to challenge Carolina.

The wildcards in the NFC will be Arizona and Atlanta.

Pittsburgh and Seattle should be the top seeds in the two conferences and the Steelers and Cardinals will meet in a repeat of Super Bowl XLIII. And wouldn’t that be fun seeing the Steelers and Roethlisberger square off against Bruce Arians and company?

This time around, however, it could be the Cardinals who get the last laugh.

Here are some predictions for some the league’s major awards:

MVP – This could be Roethlisberger’s year. He’s often been overlooked when it comes to winning awards such as this. That could change this year if he can beat out Brown, who could break a number of NFL receiving marks this season. Others to consider include Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Oakland quarterback Derek Carr, Carolina quarterback Cam Newton and Rams running back Todd Gurley.

Offensive player of the year – Brown had 136 catches for 1,834 yards last season, putting him within striking distance of Marvin Harrison’s record of 143 receptions and Calvin Johnson’s yardage mark of 1,964. And that was with Roethlisberger missing four full starts. A 150-plus reception, 2,000-yard season would be awfully hard to overlook for this award. Both are within reach. Others to consider include Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Newton, Gurley, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson and Atlanta receiver Julio Jones.

Defensive player of the year – If J.J. Watt were healthy, the Houston defensive end would be a shoe-in to win this award again this season. But he’s dealing with a back injury right now. Because of that, the pick here is Oakland outside linebacker Khalil Mack. The Raiders should be much better this season and if Mack can match or better last season’s output of 15 sacks, he could take home the award. Others to consider include Watt, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Denver linebacker Vonn Miller and Seattle safety Earl Thomas.

Coach of the year – Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin and Arians could meet in the Super Bowl this season but neither will be major contenders for this award. The pick here is Oakland’s Jack Del Rio. If he gets the Raiders into the playoffs for the first time since 2002, he’ll deserve it. Others to consider include Tomlin, Arians, Bill Belichick, Atlanta’s Dann Quinn and Seattle’s Pete Carroll.

Offensive rookie of the year – This seems like Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliot’s award to lose. Even with Tony Romo out, he should be productive. Others to consider including Cleveland receiver Corey Coleman, Houston receiver Will Fuller and Washington receiver Josh Doctson.

Defensive rookie of the year – Darron Lee of the Jets should get plenty of opportunities to make plays this season. Playing in New York won’t hurt, either. He’ll edge a group that includes Jacksonville defensive back Jalen Ramsey, Oakland safety Karl Joseph, Jacksonville linebacker Myles Jack and Chicago linebacker Leonard Floyd.

Comeback player of the year – Quarterback Andrew Luck of Indianapolis is probably the clubhouse favorite after getting completely beaten up last season. And as a high-profile player at the highest-profile position, that’s probably as good a pick as any. But it’s hardly a slam dunk as a number of big-name players are returning from injury, including the Steelers’ Bell, Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles, Dallas receiver Dez Bryant and Green Bay receiver Jordy Nelson.

Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.