The Pittsburgh Steelers Defense Has Become Predictable and More AFC North News

As the Pittsburgh Steelers head into the bye week, the sentiment swirling around them is mostly negative. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette contends one of the problems is that the defense has become predictable, which is something Steelers safety Ryan Clark agrees with.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer, who faced the Steelers repeatedly as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, was apparently able to diagram the Steelers' defensive schemes for his teammates last week. Meanwhile, coordinator Dick LeBeau did little to steer away from those well-known plans. 

Part of the reason for this predictability no doubt stems from the Steelers not having linebacker James Harrison nor safety Troy Polamalu on the field. The hope is that the two can return to the field in Week 5.

Baltimore Ravens

Last season, when Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed was dealing with a nerve impingement in his neck and shoulder, he was more cautious when it came to tackling. Now that he's feeling 100 percent healthy, it's clear that he's back to playing like his old self again. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun writes that Reed is finally back to making big tackles and playing hard.

Richard Langford of Bleacher Report contends that, with the way Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith is playing thus far, he's on his way to having a Pro Bowl season.

Cincinnati Bengals

Kevin Kelly of the Cincinnati Enquirer has five questions for Bengals safety Reggie Nelson.

Matt Gray of Bleacher Report breaks down which Bengals' stocks are rising and falling after the first three weeks of the season.

Cleveland Browns

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Browns running back Trent Richardson is eagerly awaiting his first run-in with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis this Thursday night.

Brian Hricik of Bleacher Report goes in-depth on how not just the first three weeks of the season, but how the last nine regular season games, could have been different for the Browns.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says the Pittsburgh Steelers are in bad shape headed into their bye week and breaks down every area of trouble the team has had thus far this season.

Nick DeWitt of Bleacher Report breaks down all of the Steelers' strengths and weaknesses we've seen through their first three games.

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