The Steelers are better (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

I'm a huge Steeler fan, and I really believe this team is better than the one that won the SB two years ago. Big Ben is more polished; he is a complete QB and making great decisons. I realize the Oline is not as good, but I think the D is better, as well as the QB and Parker.

It's just terrible luck that as good as they are, they are no better than 3rd best in the AFC. For them to get to the SB, they would most likely have to beat both Indy AND New England, both on the road. As good as this team looks to me, that's a mighty big task.

But I do think they are better than 05.

 

[redman]

The irony here is that the 2005 team IIRC was not as good as the 2004 team. That 2004 defense was ridiculous. I agree that this year's team has the best offense though.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Interesting question, the Steelers of '05 had a mid-season slump and then got hot at the right time. I would hope the Steelers of '07 haven't played their best football yet either.

The Steelers offense definitely has improved since '05. They have matured at QB, RB and TE and added some needed juice at WR (Holmes). The O-line may have taken a small step backwards, jury is still out there.

On D it looks very similar. Porter was a huge factor in the '05 playoff run but during the regular season I remember him disappearing in certain games. Ike Taylor seems to be back to his '05 self. Polamalu hasn't made the big plays he did in '05 but alot of that may be due to the defenses the Steelers are playing this year. There seem to be fewer blitzes in '07.

My two concerns for the '07 team are rushing the passer and protecting Ben. Two things they did very well in the '05 run. If they can become more consistent in those two areas they will have a very nice season in '07.

 

[Jous]

As a Steeler fan I would withhold judgement till the end of the season to anoint the 07 team better than 05, but as of now, I agree that they look like a better team than in 2005. The defense seems to be on a similiar or slightly higher level, and the offense is clearly improved.

I think if we want a shot at the SuperBowl though, we're going to have to hope for another team upsetting the Pats or Colts. I believe we're capable of beating ONE OF THEM (more likely Colts since the Patriots seem to have our number) but as optimistic as I am I think it would require a superhuman effort for us to go on the road in back to back weeks and take down Indy AND New England in the playoffs.