After two seasons without making the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers are healthy look to be firmly in the mix for a deep playoff run. In fact, I’d go so far as to say the Steelers are bonafide Super Bowl contenders. And here are four reasons why.
The Ben Roethlisberger effect
If you look at how close this team was to making the playoffs last season, you have to understand just how good this team will be with him in the lineup. Roethlisberger admitted he wasn’t healthy for the first game and a half before his elbow finally gave out and it showed. If he’s back to 100 percent for this season, no team can assume they will beat Pittsburgh.
The return of that elite defense
Losing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is big. However, the core of this elite defense returns. Getting linebacker Bud Dupree back for one more season was huge and a healthy return of defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt could make this group even better than last season.
Kansas City and Baltimore are beatable
There was a time when the New England Patriots were the team everyone looked to as the top of the AFC. But now, with young athletic quarterbacks at the helm, the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are all anyone wants to talk about. But while both teams are similar, both are very beatable. The Steelers showed how to slow down Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson last season and have all the firepower to do it again.
The Steelers matchup well with the NFC
If the Steelers do get to the Super Bowl, there isn’t a team in the NFC right now who matches up poorly for the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s defense is so deep and athletic they have the ability to neutralize teams whether they want to run the ball or throw it. And there isn’t an offense in the NFC the Steelers should fear in a shootout.
