Experience, explosiveness make Steelers team to beat in AFC

By Bucky Brooks NFL.com
Analyst


After watching nearly an entire season of football, I'm convinced the Pittsburgh Steelers are the team to beat in the AFC.

The Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots will certainly dispute that notion based on their regular season accomplishments, but they are flawed squads with glaring deficiencies that could be exposed under the bright lights of the postseason.

The Patriots have been able to hide their 32nd-ranked defense behind an offensive juggernaut that rolls up 30.9 points per game. Tom Brady and Co.'s ability to seemingly score at will forces opponents to abandon their traditional game plans. However, the Patriots' inability to get stops in critical situations raises serious doubts about their title chances.

The Ravens feature one of the league's most feared defenses, but their offense has been sporadic behind the maddeningly inconsistent Joe Flacco. He has continued to struggle from the pocket and his inability to carry the offensive load could be problematic in the playoffs.


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That's why the Steelers should carry the flag as the AFC favorite despite potentially entering the postseason as a lower seed. Here are four reasons why I see Pittsburgh as the best bet to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLVI:

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Has this guy even watched the Steelers play football?

Hell our offense has been anemic at times, and our defense has been unable to stop a snail.

I don't agree with his reasons, but I agree that the Steelers are the team to beat (if they're healthy). But shhhhhhhhh!!!!! Don't tell them that. They play better when they're the underdogs and have a chip on their shoulder.