3 reasons Kenny Pickett can lead Steelers to AFC North title in 2023

3. The defense is going to give PIckett a fighting chance week-in and week-out

Last season, the Steelers finished as the league's no. 13 overall defense in total yards allowed. You might not have guessed they finished in the top half, judging by their season as a whole, but they sure did. And, they did so with T.J. Watt missing seven games.

This season, the unit as a whole looks much better. Watt is healthy. Alex Highsmith has been paid. The Steelers also may have found a mid-round gem in pass rusher Nick Herbig out of Wisconsin, giving the team a ton of depth at that position. If anything, Pittsburgh is going to be getting after the quarterback on a regular basis.

In a division featuring Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and a possibly-resurging Deshaun Watson, that's going to come in clutch.

The Steelers have a strong trio of rookies, one at each level of the defense, to ensure they maintain the tradition of being a hard-nosed group on that side of the ball. All in all, this defense is going to make sure Pickett gets his opportunities week-in and week-out to win football games.