Super Bowl Champs Not a Factor

The Pittsburgh Steelers are done. Season over. Stick a fork in them and wait until next year.

The Steelers have come out of the gate limping at 1-3. Despite Baltimore's loss to Denver Monday night, the Ravens are atop the AFC North with a 4-1 record, followed by Cincinnati at 3-1.

I know what some of you may be thinking. Isn't it a little early to be announcing Pittsburgh's demise? Wrong. There are many factors that prove my point.

When Jerome Bettis retired the Steelers lost their bread and butter - the power running game. The Bus was still good for getting key first downs and goal line scoring. That is dead and gone.

Willie Parker is a solid back, just not a great one. He isn't a 25-30 carry guy who can take over games in the fourth quarter. Just the opposite, he actually wears down late in games and is a non-factor.

The loss of Antwaan Randle-El took away a big part of the Steeler gameplan, namely on special teams. Randle-El is a top flight punt returner and was a decent number two receiver.

Hines Ward has been the guy most affected by Randle-El's departure. Teams couldn't double team Ward last season because they had to respect Randle-El's speed and big play ability. With that equation removed - Pittsburgh throws Cedrick Wilson and rookie Santonio Holmes into the mix and this duo scare no one. Ward is consistently double teamed and the Steelers passing attack has suffered.

Then there's Ben Roethlisberger. After a near-death accident in the off-season and an attack of appendicitis caused him to miss the season opener, Big Ben has struggled mightily since his return to the lineup.

Roethlisberger is completing only 54 percent of his passes, while throwing seven interceptions. He hasn't thrown a touchdown during this three-game losing skid. His passer rating is a dismal 41.7.

Pittsburgh is 25th in total offense and even the strength of the team, the defense has dropped a notch in 2006. The Steeler defense, second in the league in 2005, is floundering at 14th. Not bad, just not what you'd expect from a Bill Cowher defense.

Losing Kimo VonOelhoffen up front has hurt the run defense and Chris Hope, who signed with Tennessee in the offseason, is an up-and-coming corner. Both free agent defections have weakened the Pittsburgh defense to some extent.

Finally, the AFC is amazingly strong this season with Indianapolis, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New England, San Diego and Denver all legitimate playoff teams and all, except the Jaguars, are at least two games ahead of Pittsburgh in the standings. An uphill battle to say the least, especially with a weaker defense and a seriously struggling offense.

The schedule has more bumps ahead as well. Road games loom with Atlanta, Baltimore, Carolina and Cincinnati, while the Ravens, Saints and Broncos visit Heinz Field. Two games with Cleveland, a home contest with Tampa Bay and a road game at Oakland give the Steelers some ray of hope.

Even if Pittsburgh could go 9-3 the rest of the way it would finish 10-6 and six losses may not be good enough for the playoffs in the AFC. Last year it wasn't for Kansas City and the conference appears stronger this season.

Injuries, free agent defections, complacency and lack of focus. These characteristics have affected many defending Super Bowl champions and it seems to have hit the Steelers hard.

The 2006 season is fast approaching meltdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers and when predators spot a wounded animal - they go in for the kill.

Pittsburgh is on its last legs and no Big Ben or referees can save them now.

****
Denver 13, Baltimore 3
The Broncos dropped the Ravens from the unbeaten ranks in a defensive battle on Monday night. The Broncos scored one touchdown and that was late in the fourth by Rod Smith. The win puts Denver in a first-place tie with San Diego at 3-1.


Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Do you love football? Then tune it to the Football Fanatics Show!