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AFC North Q&A: Who will be the division MVP?

Today's question: Who will be the division MVP?

Jeremy Fowler, Pittsburgh Steelers: A.J. Green. Even if the Bengals fall short of the playoffs, here's to feeling Green has a Hello World, 1,500-yard season despite double teams and the offense's emphasis on runnning (in 2014, Andy Dalton's attempts dropped from 586 to 481). Green is in a contract year; he's much better than his injury-riddled, 69-catch performance from a year ago; and naturally he will explode after I just picked Antonio Brown as the AFC North's best receiver. Green will take his spot back as one of the game's two or three best at the position. Coordinator Hue Jackson's offense accentuates the intermediate-to-deep passing game, so Green must be a focal point along with Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard in the backfield. Dalton's averages of nearly 3,800 passing yards and 26 touchdowns since 2012 are adequate enough for Green to get his. Dalton's career-low 19 touchdowns last season should rise with a healthy Green, who's about to get his money.

Coley Harvey, Cincinnati Bengals: Pittsburgh probably has more legitimate contenders for division MVP among Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Brown. We'll go with Brown. A year after he led the league in receiving yards, don't be surprised if he does it again. A dynamic player on offense and special teams, he's a constant threat to score. Beyond him, Bell might deserve consideration -- as could Cincinnati's Hill or Green.

Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Ravens: Roethlisberger. He's the leader for an offense that could become the most explosive in the NFL. Roethlisberger has Brown on the outside, Heath Miller over the middle and Bell out of the backfield. Plus, he can go deep to Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant. The Steelers hit their stride in the final 10 weeks of the regular season, when Roethlisberger led the league in passing yards (3,094) and tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (22). There will be even more pressure on Pittsburgh to score points with a defense in transition. The Steelers are going to rely on Roethlisberger to carry them unlike in any other previous season. These aren't the Steel Curtain Steelers. This is Roethlisberger's team.

Pat McManamon, Cleveland Browns: As Roethlisberger goes, so go the Steelers. Roethlisberger has been going well for years, and lately he's been going better than ever. Roethlisberger is the division's best quarterback and its most important player for his team. He threw for nearly 5,000 yards last season. He has tremendous weapons around him. Bell will miss three games to suspension, but the Steelers have shown they can adapt. With Roethlisberger at the helm, the Steelers could have the league's best offense. He will be the AFC North MVP.

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