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In 2015, the Pittsburgh Steelers very well could sport the best offensive unit in the National Football League. Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller, DeAngelo Williams and Sammie Coates will make one of the most versatile and lethal offensive groupings in franchise history.
This begs the question, "How will anyone stop the Steelers offense in 2015?". ESPN.com AFC North writers answered that question, to the best of their ability. See what they had to say:
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Coley Harvey, Bengals:
Prayer could help. Beyond that, opposing defenses would be best served focusing on shutting down Bell first and foremost. If they can shut down the run and make the Steelers one-dimensional, then maybe they have a chance to slow the entire offense. For this answer, I think back to last year's regular-season finale between the Bengals and Steelers. Until A.J. Green fumbled to give the Steelers the ball ahead of a clutch, late touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Brown, the Bengals were right in the ballgame. They were in it because they were stopping the run. Sure, Bell left the game in the third quarter because of a knee injury that resulted from a low tackle by Cincinnati's Reggie Nelson, but the fact was he gained only 20 yards on eight rushes. The Bengals were making the Steelers one-dimensional. Again, though, in the end, it was that dimension that ultimately won the game thanks to a perfectly placed pass to Brown that Bengals corner Dre Kirkpatrick played as well as a defender could. So that's why the only real solution to combat Pittsburgh's trio is to pray.
Jamison Hensley, Ravens:
The key is putting them in predictable passing situations by focusing on shutting down the run and then putting pressure on Roethlisberger. The Ravens have done a good job at doing this, which is why they've held the Steelers to 20 points or fewer in three of the four meetings where Pittsburgh has had Roethlisberger, Brown and Bell. Since 2011, Roethlisberger has thrown 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions against the Ravens. When you remove that six-touchdown performance against a Jimmy Smith-less defense, he has six touchdowns and seven interceptions. Brown also has been held in check with three 100-yard games and one touchdown in 11 meetings with Baltimore. Bell's rushing totals have decreased in each of his past four games against the Ravens. This terrific trio has been tepid against Baltimore.
Pat McManamon, Browns:
Hope to outscore them. It's not a joke. Stopping all three of these guys is next to impossible, as they showed last season when Roethlisberger threw for 4,952 yards, Bell ran for 1,361 and Brown caught for 1,698. Conceivably, Roethlisberger could be better this season given the late-season development of Martavis Bryant and the drafting of Sammie Coates. Stopping Roethlisberger, Brown and Bell is impossible. The best that defenses can hope is to limit one or to force the Steelers to be patient and hope for a mistake.
The Steelers offense will be a unit which certainly will be fun to watch next year. For the eternal pessimists, there is always a chance of under achieving, but unlike in the past, when the team was dominant in only one facet of the offense, this unit looks to be the most balanced offense the team has seen in the past decade.
There were weaknesses in 2014, and the red zone was certainly one of those weaknesses. If the team can score more touchdowns than field goals in 2015, their defense won't have to worry about being a top 10 unit, but could be successful with a mediocre unit. The Steelers report to training camp in a few weeks, and all eyes will be on Ben and the boys as they look to set a new standard in the Steel City in terms of offense.