It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
After starting the season 0-4, Ben Roethlisberger was quoted as saying the Pittsburgh Steelers were the worst football team in the NFL. Since that time, the Steelers have gone 7-4, which easily could have been 9-2 (Dolphins and Ravens). Without looking too much into the past, the Steelers stand at 7-8 and are still mathematically in the playoff race. Pittsburgh has been improving week to week with Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Jason Worilds, and Cam Heyward leading the way. This team went from irrelevant and down-and-out to one of the most feared teams in the AFC.
Now with a chance, they could create some havoc in the postseason if they get in.
In his 10th NFL season, Roethlisberger is having one of the best statistical seasons of his career. Even behind a makeshift offensive line, No. 7 has passed for 4,082 yards, which ranks second in franchise history, and has thrown 27 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. Even more astounding, Roethlisberger has started in every game this season, the first time he has accomplished this feat since 2008.
Brown has slammed the door on the Mike Wallace debate.
The sixth round pick in his fourth NFL season has been a solid player for the Steelers in past seasons. However, this has been his first season as the go-to-guy for Roethlisberger and he has more than taken advantage of the opportunity. On the year, Brown has 101 receptions, good for 1,412 yards, a franchise record, and 8 touchdowns. Furthermore, his elusive speed in the open field has created space for players like Jericho Cotchery, who has 9 touchdowns on the year. In 2013, Brown has established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the National Football League.
At the start of the season Bell was hampered by injuries as people questioned the rookie running back’s conditioning and determination.
“Adversity is always going to strike. It struck for me with the injuries, with the team losing the first four games. It’s going to strike and you just have to know how to handle it,” said Bell as reported by NFL.com
Since that time, Bell has been a major upgrade in the running game for Pittsburgh’s offense the last few years.
“I have grown mentally, just pre-snap, things I didn’t know when I first came they come a lot easier to me now. The game has really slowed down. I really understand a lot more football being in this league, this organization,” Bell told NFL.com.
On the season, Bell has seen six different offensive line combinations and has gained 1,163 yards from scrimmage, second most by a rookie in franchise history. Moving forward Bell has become, and will continue to grow into, a trustworthy three-down back that has the ability to block, catch and run with both power and speed.
Pittsburgh’s defense has shown it’s age over the course of the season.
However, veteran players like Troy Polamalu and, yes, Ike Taylor have pulled this team together. The misconception of Taylor is that people see him getting abused week in and week out.
In Taylor’s defense, the pressure being put on the quarterback this year has been average at best.
For a defense known as Blitzburgh and the Steel Curtain, Worilds leads the team with 8.0 sacks. Lamar Woodley is second with 5.0 Taylor also faces the opposing team’s best wideout every game.
With that said, this team does have one major quality that a lot of teams don’t have: playoff experience and success.
If the Steelers do manage to get into the playoffs, this defense will be ready for the challenge. More importantly, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have raised a Lombardi as a sixth seed before, are a nightmare for any team to face this postseason.
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh.cbslocal.com
