Steelers 2010-2011 Outlook

The Pittsburgh Steelers orchestrated a phenomenal 2010 NFL regular season despite not having their leader -- Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger -- because of off-the-field transgressions deemed punishable by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  Roethlisberger missed the team's first 4 games, but the Steelers got off to a fast start with a 3-1 record as the took control of the AFC North Division.  Despite a strong late-season surge by the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers won the division with a 12-4 record because they won the tie-breaker with the Ravens.  After a strong playoff run with wins over the Ravens and New York Jets, Head Coach Mike Timlin has proven his worth in just his 4th NFL season as Head Coach.  Timlin has a solid core group of players on both sides of the ball, so he is looking forward to a long coaching career in Pittsburgh for the ardent and loyal Steelers fans.  Steelers tickets will surely be hard to come by during the 2010-2011 NFL schedule. 

***Breaking News -- Steelers defeat New York Jets 24-19 to advance to Super Bowl in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, February 6, 2011.  Steelers will play Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the big game and the winner will be declared the NFL Championship.***

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger put his past behind him to have a solid 2010 NFL campaign.  Roethlisberger complete over 60% of his passes for 3,200 yards, 17 touchdown passes and only 5 interceptions.  He also rushed for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns, all good for a 97 passer rating.  The Pittsburgh Steelers offense will still look to control the ball with running back Rashard Mendenhall pounding the ball.  Mendenhall racked up 324 carries for 1,273 yards rushing.  He scored 13 touchdowns as well, becoming one of the more reliable backs in the NFL today.  Always reliable Wide Receiver Hines Ward continued to be a dependable possession receiver for Roethlisberger - 59 catches, 755 yards, 5 TD's.  But young, playmaker Mike Wallace also emerged on the scene during the 2010 NFL schedule with some gaudy numbers - 60 catches for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns.  Wallace averaged over 20 yards per catch and showed that he could really change a game with one quick move.  Tight End Heath Miller also served as a reliable receiver for the Steelers - 42 catches, 512 yards and 2 TD's.

On the defensive end, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have one of the most dominating defenses in all of the NFL.  Steelers players have thrived under Timlin's 3-4 defensive scheme and the team is ready to go out ans prove it again during the upcoming season.  The Steelers had 3 players with at least 100 tackles  -- Linebackers James Farrior (80 solos), Lawrence Timmons (96 solos) and James Harrison (70 solos).  The trio patroled the middle of the field unlike any other set of linebackers in the NFL.  Always exciting Safety Troy Polamalu will force opposing teams’ quarterbacks into mistakes and turnovers.  Polamalu led the team with 7 interceptions, 1 of which he returned for a touchdown.  He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.  As the Steelers defense goes, so the team goes, so with a successful showing by the defensive unit, look for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make a successful run towards another Super Bowl berth this season.  The only real significant obstacle is the Steelers schedule - the AFC North is shaping up to be one of the best divisions in the NFL (with 2 games each against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals).  The Steelers face one of the most difficult schedules of any NFL team and any hiccups along the way could mean the difference between a 1st round-bye in the 1st round of the playoffs or a tough road wild card match-up that makes the road to the Super Bowl even tougher.  Get your Steelers NFL tickets at Heinz Field before it's too late.