Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Keys To Success In 2015

Dec 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs after a catch to score a sixty-three yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison.

For Steelers fans, or really anyone who follows the NFL, these names are all pretty well-known. Each of these players has been a key piece of the pro football team in Pittsburgh for many years. Over the last 11 years, these four players have combined to start 551 games and play in a combined 18 Pro-Bowls. Now, Polamalu has retired, Harrison has returned for a short time after retiring only two years ago, and Roethlisberger and Miller are both in their 30s, likely nearing the declining portions of their careers.

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Yes some of these players are still great, and will continue to produce at a high level for several more years, but Pittsburgh must also face the reality that they will need to change the way they play the game as the makeup of the team changes. The Steelers team that went to three Super Bowls between 2005 and 2010, winning two of them, is gone. In its place is a conglomeration of young players who, while talented, simply don’t have the experience that was the hallmark of the team just a few short years ago.

Pittsburgh managed to scrape out a Division Title in 2014 with an 11-5 record, but failed to turn that into postseason success, getting bounced in the wild-card game by the division rival Ravens. Will they be able to improve on that level of success this season, or will 2015 be a tough year as their newer players develop into able replacements of aging stars?

The Steelers clearly have a solid team this next year, but they seem to be balancing closely on the edge of being a playoff team, or being one of the league’s bottom-feeders. A few key things need to happen if Pittsburgh wants to be successful.

Next: The Offensive Line