Each NFL’s Team’s Difference-Maker: AFC North

Steelers
Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell Charles LeClaire USA TODAY Sports

We’re merely 25 days from the start of the 2014 NFL season. Since the start of camp we have reviewed the top storylines from training camps across the NFL, providing who is impressing, who is disappointing, and any other significant notes from on and off the field.

Given the news coming out of camps, XN Sports will be naming one difference-maker for each team. Let’s look at the AFC North:

Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco spent much of the 2013 season on his backside, while neither Ray Rice or Bernard Pierce could find running lanes. The Ravens surrendered 48 sacks and finished 30th in rushing last season behind a poor offensive line.

Gino Gradkowski has been replaced by Jeremy Zuttah at center, while Kelechi Osemele is now healthy at left guard. If Marshal Yanda can bounce back, the offense’s stock should be on the rise.

Cincinnati Bengals

It’s not possible to overstate the loss of Geno Atkins to the Cincinnati defense. Arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL, the loss of Atkins not only diminished the production of the Bengals’ defensive tackle position but the players around him, too.

Atkins needs to come back healthy and productive in order for Cincinnati to remain in contention. The pass-rush and run defense suffered without him.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns don’t even know whether they’ll have their difference-maker when Week 1 rolls around. That’s because Josh Gordon could be in line for a 16-game suspension.

Gordon led the NFL in receiving yards a season ago, and will be a major asset for either Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel. Aside from Gordon, it’s Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins and some cat named Charles Johnson split wide. The Browns need Gordon.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh averaged 86.4 yards per game rushing in 2013. That simply is not Pittsburgh Steelers football.

The team signed LeGarrette Blount in free agency and drafted Dri Archer. But the running game will only be as good as second-year back Le’Veon Bell makes it. He’s looked good in the offseason and has gotten into shape. Bell could see 300 touches this season as Pittsburgh looks to regain its ground-and-pound mentality.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.