Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Lessons the Team Should Learn from the Super Bowl Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't used to losing Super Bowls.

When they lost to the Green Bay Packers in last year's Super Bowl, it was because they were overly confident in their defense.

Yes, the defense is hard to run against, but there's another aspect opposing offenses like the Packers can take advantage of.

So, if the Steelers want to get back to the Super Bowl this year, there are a few lessons they should have learned from losing last year.

Let's take a look at the top three lessons the Steelers should have learned from the Super Bowl loss after the 2010 season.

3. Ben Roethlisberger Isn't a Sure Thing Late in Games

When the Steelers had the ball late in Super Bowl XLV, they were down 31-25.

Everyone, including the receivers, just assumed Roethlisberger was going to march the Steelers down the field and win the game for them. He already did it with Santonio Holmes in the Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals.

But it seemed like the wide receivers gave up. There were poor routes being run, and Roethlisberger's passes fell to the ground harmlessly.

If the receivers take a step forward in 2011, the Steelers have a good shot of returning to the Super Bowl.

2. Troy Polamalu Is a Liability in Pass Coverage

Troy Polamalu is a great defender. He's one of the best run-stopping safeties ever to play in the NFL, and he's a great pass-rusher.

But when you get a team like the Green Bay Packers, who have four outstanding wide receivers, Polamalu becomes a liability.

He got burned a couple times by Jordy Nelson and James Jones in Super Bowl XLV. This year, the Steelers should either blitz him or take him out of the game in third-and-long situations.

1. The Cornerback Position Is Weak

Ike Taylor is a decent cornerback, but Bryant McFadden and William Gay were liabilities against the Packers.

If they don't improve this year, the Steelers will still be vulnerable to teams like the Packers and Eagles.

They might want to consider looking into Asante Samuel, who seems to have lost his place in Philadelphia.