Steelers Turn Up Toughness to Become AFC's Most Dangerous Team

This is what the anti-Pittsburgh Steelers people will say: They beat AJ McCarron. You could beat AJ McCarron. Your grammy could beat AJ McCarron.

The problem with that is before Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton left Sunday's game with a thumb fracture, and before stud tight end Tyler Eifert departed with a concussion, the Steelers were in full control. Had Dalton stayed, had Eifert stayed, Pittsburgh still probably would have won.

The Steelers' 33-20 win at Cincinnati officially signaled what many across the sport have been saying for weeks: Watch out for the Steelers. Respect them. Don't lose track and, yes, even fear them.

The Steelers had somewhat frustrated Dalton prior to his exit in the first half. In fact, it was a Dalton interception that led to him getting hurt. Replays showed Dalton's thumb getting jammed while trying to make the tackle after the pick. (Andy: Take lessons from Peyton Manning, who never tries to make a tackle after an interception. Make those business decisions.)

If you don't understand what's happening in Pittsburgh, you don't get football. The reason there were so many scuffles and shoves and curses on the field isn't solely because these two teams are hardcore rivals. It's also because we are seeing—especially on defense—a toughening of that Pittsburgh team.

I'm speaking more of the mentality. The Steelers passing game looks gorgeous, but it is rooted in a gritty offensive line and the mindset of the toughest thrower in the sport, Ben Roethlisberger.

It's those two things that have transformed the Steelers. Roethlisberger is just 11 passing yards shy of 3,000 for the season. Next week, when he does top 3,000, it will be the 10th straight year he's done it, making him only the sixth quarterback in history to pass that mark 10 consecutive times.

We are seeing vintage Roethlisberger. This is the same Roethlisberger who's won two Super Bowls. We just take it for granted. 

The Steelers have scored at least 30 points in five straight games, including this one against Cincinnati. Remember, the Bengals were supposed to have a stout D. The Steelers toyed with them. Pittsburgh had over 350 yards of offense. It looked like they could have gone for 450.

In many ways, the Steelers are the AFC equivalent of the Seattle Seahawks. Peaking at the right time. Discovering exactly who they are just as they need to. Both teams look so staggeringly good, at the right time, it would not stun me—in any way—if we saw a Seattle-Pittsburgh Super Bowl.

And who are the Steelers? Their entire game is portable. That passing game can travel in any weather. Those aren't words you normally read, but it's true with this team. They play in Pittsburgh, after all, and if they have to travel to Denver or Cincinnati or even New England for a playoff game, they will laugh at your snow and sleet.

They have a running game, too. And, again, that defense is getting better and more physical.

The Dalton injury won't just change the complexion of Cincinnati's season, but Pittsburgh's as well. No offense to McCarron, but he's no Dalton, and all those Dalton-bashers will now see just how good he is. 

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

"Dalton will be out next week," said head coach Marvin Lewis during his postgame press conference, aired by CBS.

Every indicator points to Dalton being out longer than that. This injury sounds far more serious than Lewis is letting on, and the fact he was so coy about the injury says a great deal.

It's possible that we see a depleted Bengals team spiral downward and a healthy and ferocious Steelers team sneak up on Cincinnati and steal the division. All I'm saying is it's possible. Not likely, but possible.

The Steelers finish the regular season with the Broncos at home, at the sorry Ravens and at the sorry Browns. The Bengals conclude their regular season at the sorry 49ers, at Denver and then home against the sorry Ravens. There is a lot of sorry on both of their remaining schedules.

The Bengals are 10-3 and the Steelers are 8-5. It's likely the Steelers go 2-1 and the Bengals go 1-2. The Bengals win the division by the length of one of Dalton's well-coiffed hairs.

The Steelers as a wild-card team will simply be nasty. There isn't a single team in the AFC they would—or should—fear. That includes the Patriots. As this Steelers team continues to get better and scarier, it will match up well with any team: the Jets, the Chiefs, the Patriots, the Bengals...any of them.

Yes, this is what the anti-Steelers people will say: They beat AJ McCarron. They will say AJ McCarron sounds like a Grammy-nominated country singer, not a quarterback. They will say the Steelers got lucky. They're not that good. 

Blah, blah, blah.

They're more than good. They're the most dangerous team in the AFC.

It's now official.

Mike Freeman covers the NFL for Bleacher Report.