Looking Super?: Steelers Run Over Broncos In Denver, Face Cincy Next

The Pittsburgh Steelers routed the Denver Broncos tonight 28-10, answering a lot of questions.

For example, would hard-hitting safety Ryan Clark risk his life to play? (No) Would the Steelers miss the three starters on defense (Clark, Lawrence Timmons, Aaron Smith' s replacement Travis Kirschke) against a 6-1 team that has not lost a game at home this year? (Not really) Would the Steelers fourth-quarter defense, outscored 56-23 thus far this season, toughen up and shut down the cardiac Broncos late in the game? (Yes)

While I do have some concerns with the Steelers after this win (more on that later), this was a statement win. Now going on a short week against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, the Steelers have a chance to take control of the AFC North and are primed for another postseason run.

Here are the observations and concerns from tonight's game:

1. Bruce Arians finally got it right ... in the second half.

In the first half of this game, the Steelers offense looked lackadaisical, not sharp at all. It could be attributed to the longer than usual bye week (who plays a Monday Night game after a bye week?), it could be attributed to Denver's defense, or it could have been the chronic issue of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians 's average to bad playcalling.

The most telling stat of the game for me was this: Rashard Mendenhall got six carries in the first half. In the second half, he got 16 and went 130 yards just in the second half alone. Mind you the Steelers offense never got going in the first half but Arians finally got it right. A balanced offense leads to Steeler wins. 29 runs and 32 pass plays attest to that.

Ben Roethlisberger was great again tonight but he does not have to do everything by himself. He has a potentially great running back and an offensive line who showed tonight they can run block effectively against a good defense.

Mendenhall has the ability to go to the Pro Bowl this season IF Arians gets him enough carries. Tonight he posted 155 yards in Denver, the fourth highest ever by an opponent in the Mile High City since the 1970 merger.

Mendenhall tonight again showed why he was taken in the first round last season and why Willie Parker's days as a Steeler are numbered. But to make it to the elite status of AFC running backs, Arians needs to get Mendenhall enough carries. Tonight he did and he should be commended.

2. Willie Colon is proving me wrong

I have stated in the past that right tackle Willie Colon , a starter since 2007 season, needed to be benched or be moved to guard where his less than stellar pass blocking ability against speed rushers would not be exposed as much.

Tonight, he set Mendenhall up on most of the big runs in the second half, often just plowing up Denver defenders to the ground. While Colon can improve as a pass blocker at right tackle, there is nothing wrong with his run blocking.

3. Mike Wallace ... Offensive Rookie of the Year??

Don't laugh. It is a distinct possibility. The speedster from Ole Miss could unseat Minnesota's Percy Harvin as the favorite for the Offensive Rookie of the Year, especially if he keeps getting open deep and catching the ball like he did on the 25-yard TD catch that put the Steelers up 21-10.

Wallace is having the best season by a Steeler rookie wide receiver since Louis Lipps in 1984. Not even Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress, Lynn Swann, or John Stallworth have had the rookie campaign that Wallace is having.

I really thought that Wallace would have a great impact as a kick returner only, not as the third receiver. But given the trust that Ben Roethlisberger has in Wallace from the first game of the year coupled with Limas Sweed dropping passes and not doing much else, saying that Wallace has been a pleasant surprise is a gross understatement.

4. The defense is getting better and better each week

While the third-down defense in the first half tonight was not good, allowing five conversions in nine attempts, in the second half they locked Denver down. In the second half Denver went 0-for-5 on third downs. The Steelers defense gave up just one field goal and that was it. It was the best defensive effort of the season and a great match before facing the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend.

Tyrone Carter filled in admirably tonight. While it was smart of Ryan Clark to sit out tonight's game, Carter showed that he is good enough to be a starter in this league, getting two interceptions. Same goes for Keyaron Fox filling in for Lawrence Timmons and Nick Eason filling in for Travis Kirschke.

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