Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 Playoffs
The Pittsburgh Steelers are perhaps the happiest team after the advent of the Super Bowl in 1966. Before the game the Steelers struggled for over 20 seasons, only making the playoffs once. Since, Pittsburgh has won Super Bowls, 18 division titles, and has been in the postseason 29 times, only being absent 12 times. The latest exploits for the venerable franchise came in 2005. That season the team was excited to have second year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger coming off his Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and Jerome Bettis in his final season. The young and the old collaborated with a tremendous defense to find a playoff tickets with an 11-5 record. For the second straight season the Steelers made to the AFC Championship game. That year they won it 34-17 over the Broncos. Pittsburgh made to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995 and won for the first time since 1979. Hines Ward five reception, 123 yard, one touchdown, and 18 rushing yard performance earned him the Super Bowl MVP.
In 2008 Pittsburgh is searching for its next shot at not only at Steelers playoff tickets also another championship ring. The early season injury to Tom Brady has knocked the New England Patriots from atop the favorites list. The Steelers are one of the teams that will try and win the confidence of the experts and their fans. The division schedule does not look imposing when comparing the teams from last season, but this new season sees different teams that all have dangerous playoff potential. The Bengals scary offense assault is being paired with a defense that may not be great, but is far from bad. The Ravens bring a defense set on re-establishing itself as the best in football and the offense is an unknown with new weapons Willis McGahee and Joe Flacco in the mix. The Browns will be under control by Derrik Anderson in his second season as starter, but his first with the full confidence of the fans and the coaching staff.
Pittsburgh Steelers Background
The Steelers own team is not exactly lacking any glamour. Ben Roethlisberger brought his efficiency to new heights last season with a 104.1 quarterback rating and 32 touchdowns. Willie Parker is as dangerous a back there is in the NFL and Rashard Mendenhall may only be a rookie, but is also a power runner who can finish near the goal line. Favorite targets Hines Ward, Santana Holmes, and Heath Miller are back. The balanced offense is supported by a defense led by James Farrior. Though his skills may be slowly eroding with age, the team still has Troy Polamalu at safety, defensive end Aaron Smith, linebacker James Harrison, and nose tackle Casey Hampton. Playoff tickets are almost a certainty for the Steelers. The real question is will Pittsburgh and Heinz Field by blessed with its sixth Super Bowl or not.