The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t secured an AFC Championship since the 2010 season. With a 7-2 record currently as the No. 1 seed, are they the favorites?
Besides a debacle in Chicago and pure embarrassment against Jacksonville, everything appears to be going to plan for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh currently sits atop the AFC North with a three game lead, while also clinging on to the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
With five of their seven remaining games being played at the friendly confines of Heinz Field and only three teams with a winning record during that stretch, can the Steelers be taken serious as favorites to emerge out of their conference and play in Super Bowl LII?
According to NFL Network analyst Brian Billick in an interview with Pittsburgh’s 93-7 The Fan, absolutely.
"“In the AFC, I think they’re the most complete team,” said Billick. “The way that defense played in its last outing, the way they’re playing now, with the pressure with T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree and obviously, the explosiveness and the rhythm that Le’Veon Bell has. The understanding that, ‘Yeah, he’s going to touch the ball 20, 25, 30 times a game, that’s going to happen.’ They’ve got that rhythm down. There is no reason why they should not make that deep run all the way to the Super Bowl.”"
In recent memory, Pittsburgh has widely found themselves to be on a contending level, yet have let opportunities escape season after season. Whether it be due to injury, suspension or simply failing to execute, the Steelers potential has remained precisely that: potential. However, 2017 has provided a different narrative for Mike Tomlin and company. Aside from Joe Haden’s recent broken fibula, the team has remained relatively healthy as a whole and no players have been suspended thus far — a formula that, in Pittsburgh’s case, has been a problem in years past.
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The Steelers also play host to the NFL’s leading rusher in Le’Veon Bell (840 yards) and leading receiver (882 yards) in Antonio Brown, alongside a top offensive line. Defensively, Pittsburgh has reclaimed their rightful spot among the league’s best units, touting the league’s best statistical defense while ranking second in points (16.4) and yards allowed (284.4) per game.
When healthy, this is likely one of the best, well-rounded teams Pittsburgh has seen within the past decade. Yet, is it enough to maneuver through the conference or finally get past a team such as New England?
Despite starting 2-2, the Patriots currently ride a five-game win streak and have finally found their rhythm as a football team. Although historically the Patriots have had the Steelers number (8-2 in their last 10 games vs. Pittsburgh), the Patriots have exposed flaws, especially on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 408 yards per game.
Should the coaching staff make the proper adjustments and play chess with coach Bill Belichick rather than checkers, the so-called Patriots “hump” that has time and time again poisoned Pittsburgh may have gotten small enough to ride over.
As for the other current playoff teams, Pittsburgh’s biggest challenges appear to be a Kansas City team who they’ve already defeated earlier this season, a Tennessee team they’re set to play this Thursday, and a Jacksonville team that got the best of the Steelers in a 30-9 win on the road in Week 5. In a playoff environment at home, Pittsburgh’s chances of emerging victorious against any of the above mentioned should be favored.
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Are the Steelers the favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LII? Las Vegas currently holds Pittsburgh as a favorite team to reach the big game at 4-1 odds, sitting alongside New England (5-2) and Philadelphia (5-1), per ESPN‘s Tim McManus. History says another Steelers/Patriots playoff game is likely in-hand, and with that in mind, perhaps it’s too early to crown them as favorites just yet.
However, the Steelers are beginning to find themselves winning through different types of ball games, and should they keep progressing, will pose a threat to any team that crosses their path. Pittsburgh and the fans who inhabit the city love playing the rare role of underdogs, anyway.