The Pittsburgh Steelers are only a few years removed from a Super Bowl and they have yet to lose much from that run.
Sure, Jerome Bettis left the team after that Super Bowl, but other than that, very little has changed.
Willie Parker has stepped in and played like one of the best running backs in the NFL, earning the simple nickname "Fast."
Ben DoubleCheeseBurger is still on the team but his role has changed a little. Now, on with the preview.
Key Addition/Subtraction
Mewelde Moore- From the Vikings
Alen Faneca- Through Free Agency
Key Games
Oct. 26 vs. Giants- The G-Men come into Pittsburgh in a tough game that is likely to feature a lot of big hits and big plays.
Nov. 9 vs. Colts- A stingy defense tries to stop Peyton and crew.
Nov. 30 at Patriots- This was a great match-up last season, expect more of the same this year against these two strong teams.
Dec. 7 vs. Cowboys- Roethlisberger and Tony Romo are both QB's on the rise. They battle in what is likely to be a close, exciting game late in the season.
Season Outlook
The Steelers are hoping to repeat as last year's AFC North Division champions, but they aren't looking to do it the way that they won the Super Bowl.
They went from a defensive team that relied on Big Ben not to lose games, to an offensive team that can complement the defense very well.
Last season, they ranked 9th in points scored, and 17th in yards gained. But they still kept strong on defense, leading the NFL in total yards allowed and going second in points allowed.
But I like the new balanced team a lot more than the solely defensive juggernaut of the past.
They still can stop almost anybody they want to on defense, but they are now officially ready to start making teams worry about the offense.
With the draft acquisition of Rashard Mendenhall, they have one of the best running back combos in the NFL along with Willie Parker.
Ben Roethlesberger is also coming into his own as a quarterback, throwing for 3,154 yards and 32 TD's to only 11 INT's with a QB rating of 104.1.
With Roethlesberger throwing to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, the offense looks scary despite the loss of Alen Faneca.
My Prediction
I think that the Steelers are primed for another playoff run, possibly making it pretty deep.
I would guess that they will finish about 11-5 or 12-4.
I'm Joe W.
Information for this article was found on sportsillustrated.com and ESPN.com
10 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Michael Inglis about 1 year ago
Like the article and i agree with most of what you said but i would be surprised if they went 11-5 or 12-4. Their schedule is hard, to say the least.
They play on the road against the Eagles, Browns, Jaguars, Redskins, Patriots, and the Titans.
Then you also have the Giants, Colts, Chargers, Cowboys and the Browns at home.
That is ELEVEN tough games right there. Not to mention teams usually get upset at least once or twice over the course of the season.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Willett about 1 year ago
I think that they are at least a toss-up against the Giants, I think that they can beat them. They are better than the Titans, so they should win that game, and they should at least split against the Browns. They can beat the Eagles pretty easily as well as the Redskins. So, giving one upset, against a bad team, one loss against the teams I said they are better than, and one win against the teams better than them, they are still at 9-7, but I think that they are closer to the top than the bottom, so they should at least get a double digit win total and the playoffs. You bring up good points though, and 12-4 is the absolute best that they could go.
Edit Comment Cancel
Bryan Steeler about 1 year ago
say joe ole boy... I believe Pittsburgh had the number 4 total offense and 2nd total defense last season.. also, they were 7th in points scored and 2nd and points allowed.
if mo was alive he'd smack ya one for shoddy work. what's themattawithyou!!
http://www.nfl.com/stats/team
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Willett about 1 year ago
I'm not exactly sure how I got those stats, I could have sworn that those were the rankings on sportsillustrated.com, but when I went back to double check, they were what you said, not sure how I messed that up, but I am going to fix the stats accordingly. Thanks for the catch.
Edit Comment Cancel
John Lewis about 1 year ago
Joe,
Good article and I see the Steelers going 11-5 even with the tough schedule.
I just hope Parker stays healthy.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jerry Desaulniers about 1 year ago
Real good article Joe, I myself cant tell which Steelers team this is? On one side they have assembled what could be a tear em up running game. But many say the O-Line is suspect. I suggest that the management of the Steelers believe that Ben is tough and if they move the ball around enough it will slow down the blitz. Limas sweed will probably be a class act and I picked Mendenhall as the most likely to suceed back prior to the draft, but being a Browns fan I must admit he doesn't look so good now, funny how that works! I must be looking through brown tinted glasses. Anyways I think you really brought out some good point and one I might add is that the Coach of the Steelers is probably better than Cowher was!
Edit Comment Cancel
Tyler Hill 11 months ago
As a Steelers fan Iwould love to see them win another Superbowl, and they haven't lost alot from that 2006, I see no reason they couldn't do it. GO STEELLERS!!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Willett 11 months ago
The Steelers have stayed on par, possibly even gotten better. The reason that it is going to be tough for them to win the Super Bowl is that other teams have made huge strides.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeremy Lewis 11 months ago
I keep hearing all this negative talk about our Offensive Line and how it is going to be weaker than last year because of Faneca leaving. But I never hear anything being said with regards to Faneca being apart of that unit that allowed 47 sacks last year. I mean the guys held out of camp and knew he wasn't going to resign, and anyone who has ever played football knows that a cohesive unit that plays as one is better than one that doesn't. As far as I am concerned Faneca was the leader of that line and should absorb some of the responsibility for their poor performance. I am in no way saying Faneca is bad at what he does but he could have effected the way the group operated. I had also read that he was extremely resistant to changes that the new coaching staff wanted and showed it.
Edit Comment Cancel
PATRICIA CARLISLE 9 months ago
THE SEASON HAS ALREADY STARTED FOR THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS AND BEN ROETHLISBER IS OFF TO A GOOD START WITH PARKER AND WARD!!DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE ROETHLISBERGER WHEN HE GETS ON THE ROLL HE'LL BE MOVING FOR A WIN!!
IT'S NOT RIGHT THAT ROETHLISBERGER IS UNDER-RATED WHEN LAST YEAR HIS STATS HE CAME IN 2nd BEHIND TOM BRADY!!
ALL THE PREGAME SHOWS HIS NAME IS HARDLY EVER MENTIONED!!!
I WISH I HAD THE E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR THE NFL REGAME SHOW ON FOX, IF SOMEONE HAS IT PLEASE SEND IT TO ME ( I WOULD LOVE TO SEND BRADSHAW AN E-MAIL)
FROM A DIEHARD STEELER FAN!!!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.