2011 Playoff Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular Season Record: 12-4
Seed: 2, AFC
2010 Team Leaders: Passing: Ben Roethlisberger (3200 YDS, 10th AFC); Rushing: Rashard Mendenhall (1273 YDS, 5th AFC); Receiving: Mike Wallace (1257 YDS, 3rd AFC)
While the Steelers thought they’d have to bide their time before Ben Roethlisberger came back from suspension early in the season, their patchwork QB situation got them through their first four games with a 3-1 record. While Roethlisberger was surely a boon for their offense, it was their defense that has seen them through the season. Their top-ranked run D allowed only 62 yards per game in 2011, which has allowed them to control the tempo. They’re going to need more of that to get out of the tough AFC, which boasts the best passers of the past decade – Tom Brady and Peyton Manning – potentially in their way.
2010 Pittsburgh Steelers Football Preview:
The Pittsburgh offense will have a different look for the first few games, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be serving a suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy, and either Dennis Dixon or Byron Leftwich will get the starting nod for the time being. The Steelers will also be without leading receiver Santonio Holmes, who was traded to the Jets during the offseason. The receiving corps will once again be anchored by veteran Hines Ward, and Rashard Mendenhall will get the bulk of the carries after the departure of Willie Parker.
The Steelers typically pride themselves on their stout defense, and this season should be no different. Pittsburgh had a stifling run defense in 2009 thanks in large part to the play of linebackers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison. However, their secondary suffered after Troy Polamalu was injured, but the Pro Bowl safety should be back and healthy this year.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Football Preview:
So heading into 2009 there is no reason to think that Coach Mike Tomlin cannot achieve the same results with his talented squad. Pittsburgh returns almost all of their stars from the past season, including; quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, RB Willie Parker, Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and defensive stud James Harrison. Lots of people will probably overlook the Steelers again heading into 2009, but it's unlikely they'll be looking past them when Pitt rolls into the playoffs.
2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Football Preview:
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the best teams to watch in the dominant AFC this season. They’ve made a strong start this year, and appear to have found their franchise leader and quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger and a solid running back in Willie Parker. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a tough season last year going 8-8, but this year they have a real chance to upset either the Patriots or Colts, the conference’s two leaders, and make a big run at the Super Bowl. A game at beautiful Heinz Field this season is an experience that shows what hard-nosed football is all about.
Although they were the defending Super Bowl champions and got off to a fast 6-2 start last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers missed out on the playoffs after going 3-5 over the second half of the year. With a revamped Cincinnati Bengals team and the Baltimore Ravens poised to be one of the better teams in the league, it may be difficult for the Steelers to seek redemption from last year.