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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive back Kris Boyd (29) and defensive end Kenny Willekes (79) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore.
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Joe Starkey’s mailbag: Who’s going to win the AFC North?

Nick Wass

Joe Starkey’s mailbag: Who’s going to win the AFC North?

Welcome to Joe Starkey’s mailbag, where the Post-Gazette columnist and 93.7 The Fan radio host answers your questions about sports, life, Lee Flowers and everything in between. If you want to ask Joe a question, tweet him @JoeStarkey1 or email him at jstarkey@post-gazette.com. On to the questions …

Adam Morgante, @AdamMorgante: There’s a lot of AFC North games left this season. How do you see the division shaping out? Do you think the Steelers can win the division?

Starkey: Monday night was not encouraging, Dr. Morgante. The Steelers got lucky. They benefited greatly from the officiating. They were outgained nearly 2-to-1, squandered a double-digit fourth quarter lead, couldn’t run the ball and barely survived.

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Give ’em credit for the win — the Ravens benefitted from a horrible non-call to beat the Detroit Lions earlier this season — but if I’m projecting the rest of the season, well, let’s just say I’m not impressed.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scrambles against the Lions in the first quarter Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at Heinz Field.
Gerry Dulac
Ben Roethlisberger: Steelers in no position to overlook winless Lions

I thought this was the perfect opportunity for an impressive blowout win. Instead, the Steelers looked like they did against Washington last season, with that little pop-gun offense and a defense that wilted late (again). I believe there is cause for genuine concern after they dispatch the pathetic Detroit Lions.

However, their mediocrity hardly makes them unique in the AFC North. Cincinnati’s defense stinks. Baltimore’s has issues, too, and the Cleveland Browns staved off implosion by winning at Cincinnati.

Each team in the division has a brutal schedule over the final six-to-eight games. Baltimore has to be the favorite. One, they already lead with a 6-2 record. Two, they have Miami and Chicago next (here’s hoping they don’t have their feelings injured by a Cassius Marsh taunt).

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It’ll be close, maybe among all four teams.

Can the Steelers win it? Wasn’t that your question? Of course they can. They are built for “AFC North ball,” as Mike Tomlin likes to say, and have played well against the monster that is Lamar Jackson.

Would I predict it?

No.

Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith as he passes in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Pittsburgh.
Ray Fittipaldo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith unhappy with his production at the midway point of season

At the moment, I would predict this:

1. Baltimore

2. Cleveland

3. Steelers

4. Cincinnati

Thank you for asking.

Halvy Buckets, @halvybuckets: Hey Joe, Pitt Men's basketball looks to be in a lot of trouble, what should Pitt fans expect this year...aside from pain?

Starkey: More pain.

This is a disaster, Dr. Buckets. I wrote about the situation in February, and it has only gotten worse.

The Jeff Capel era — he’s 15-38 in the ACC — is becoming a total flop, and it’s unfortunate. Pitt basketball used to one of the hotter tickets in town. It has now become an afterthought. Very few people care anymore. Pitt might be the worst team in the ACC this season.

How much longer for Capel?

Michael OnEbay, @MichaelPghPA: Are you impressed with Nutting the business man? I am.

Starkey: Not really. I mean, first of all, it would seem he had a nice head start. That always helps. Consider this blurb from the Los Angeles Times last year:

“How he made his billions: Nutting, 58, is the president and CEO of Ogden Newspapers, a publisher of more than 40 newspapers and media outlets — most of them in small markets — that was started by his great-grandfather, H.C. Ogden, in 1890. He also is the chairman of Nutting Co., a holding company that operates three ski resorts outside of Pittsburgh.”

I guess it’s admirable to make lots of money, but when profit comes before winning, I do not find that admirable at all. You and I helped build that ballpark with our tax dollars. I think Nutting should operate on a deficit once in a while and try harder to win (although there’s no point in that at the moment, as the organization has been stripped to the studs as part of a total tank job, which I happen to endorse).

Surely, he can use his other business ventures to make money.

Carl Reagle, @reagle_c: Why is Pat McAfee so popular? The next tough question he asks someone would be his first.

Starkey: He can be entertaining, Dr. Reagle, although that doesn’t mean you have to find him entertaining. He really isn’t paid to be a reporter or to ask tough questions. He’s paid to be the off-the-wall, on-the-edge entertainer that he is.

Brian Kattan, @Bkattanlax: Do you think Fitzpatrick has lived up to being the highest paid safety in the league? If you do what has he shown you this season?

Starkey: Great question, Dr. Kattan, but I’m with Mike Tomlin on this one: I believe Minkah has shown he can be a great player and will be a great player. Did you see his closing speed on those two monster hits Monday?

That said, he isn’t having a good season. It has been almost a full calendar year since he made an interception. That’s bothersome. But he’s still young, he’s healthy and extremely talented. I happen to believe the talent will show again.

Enough to make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL after this season?

Maybe. Yes. I’d take that chance, as opposed to the chance that I could easily replace him.

Eddie Demitrius, @DemitriusEddie: Tradition of everyone sitting around the Thanksgiving table saying what they’re thankful for, yay or nay?

Starkey: Gratitude is a good thing, Dr. Demitrius. I’m all for this idea (not that I have ever experienced it).

Wex, @WexBucs: You and your family are being forced to move to a country you have never visited. Which one do you move to?

Starkey: Italy. Then I'd go live in the mountains and get off Twitter.

Thank you, kiddies. Also, send me questions (tweet @JoeStarkey1 or email at jstarkey@post-gazette.com). And subscribe to our FREE daily all-sports newsletter, PG Sports Feed.

First Published: November 10, 2021, 12:00 p.m.

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