RAISING THE STEEL CURTAIN

SCOTIA, NY (November 10, 2009) - After a shaky start to the 2009 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally re-discovered their identity and re-established themselves as a power-house in the AFC. 

The Steelers started off the season with a 13-10 overtime victory over a struggling Tennessee Titans team before dropping their next two games on the road against Chicago (14-17) and at division rival Cincinnati (20-23).  Pittsburgh, who is known for their dominant ground game and ferocious zone-blitz defense, looked like they were lost on the field in those two games.

"Fast" Willie Parker led the way for the Steelers on the ground before suffering an injury in week three. He compiled a mere 159 yards rushing in the first three games of the season included an abysmal 19 yard game against the Bears.

On top of the rushing woes, the Steelers defense took a hit in the season opener, losing pro-bowl safety Troy Polamalu for four weeks with a knee injury.  In Polamalu's four game absence the Steelers allowed opposing teams an average of 22 points per game.  In comparison, Pittsburgh is only allowing 12.75 points per game this season to opponents when Troy is in the lineup.  You do the math.

Despite all of the problems the injury bug brought with it to the "steel city", it also allowed new stars to shine bright.  With the injury to Willie Parker, second year back Rashard Mendenhall has been able to make himself a household name while pilling up 573 yards and 4 touchdowns.  He is rushing for a solid 5.73 yards per carry and has posted over 150 yards in two games this season so far, (against San Diego in his season debut as a starter and at Denver on Monday Night Football).

In the Monday night game against the Broncos, 10 year veteran Tyrone Carter found himself on the receiving end of two Kyle Orton passes while replacing starting safety Ryan Clark who sat out the night's game due to possible sickle cell complications. 

All seems to be right again in Pittsburgh as the Steelers are on a five-game win streak.  The clearly belong near the top of the AFC power-rankings now that they have found their running game and have started playing the intense defense that carried them all the way to a Super Bowl victory last season.  If Pittsburgh keeps picking up steam and playing better every week, there's no reason why they can't repeat as champions this season.